Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership
November 14-16, 2025
2024 YPCL Program Schedule
2025 YPCL General Information & Packing List
Location: Upham Woods, N194 County Rd N, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
What is YPCL?
The mission of the Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership Conference (YPCL) is to advance youth voice in Wisconsin by increasing the capacity for youth and adults to share civic leadership in local communities, schools and organizations. We advocate for a youth voice and build mentoring, networking and learning opportunities.
Who should attend?
Teams of high-school-age youth (ages 14-18) and adults (21 or older) sharing decision-making roles in communities, schools and organizations (19 to 20 year olds are also welcome but should register as adults.) Groups are limited to 10 people with the preferred ratio of 5 youth to one adult (at least two adults per group of ten).
Can I lead a workshop?
Participating teams are encouraged to lead workshops and roundtables. This year’s workshops align with our theme ‘Remaining Rooted In Your Resistance’. Workshops can range in topic areas, but should incorporate the themes of policy, systems, and environment. Submit your workshop via Google form when available. Submissions are due October 5th. Priority is given to workshops that are led/co-led by youth.
Resource Tables
We are looking for organizations who are interested in providing resources (flyers, informational packets, swag) for YPCL. Your organization will need to provide a table to set up where you can provide information about your organization or mission to youth and adult attendees of the event. Per UW-Madison Policy, there may not be sales of items or any political campaigning/information included in these tables. Please submit your request for a resource table here (available soon).
Orientation
A web orientation will be held prior to the conference.
How do I register?
Identify a team of youth and adults who intend to work together after the conference. Registration cost is $180/person, which includes meals and lodging. Use the team registration form to request scholarship support if needed.
Registering for the 2025 YPCL Conference
1. YPCL Interest Form
2025 YPCL Interest Form – Team Leaders should fill out this form so that we can gauge interest in the program.
2. Team Member Registration
Open online from September 2-October 5, 2025. Registration will be open in 4HOnline with a direct link. Each participant must register individually.
To register online, use the link above (once live). After clicking the link, you will be able to create an account in 4HOnline along with a profile for the participant who is registering. After that, you will be able to select the YPCL event and then complete the registration for the event.
Electronic Payment: if you are NOT paying by credit card, you can skip the payment screen by selecting “pay by check” on the payment screen.
Questions on registration? Reach out to Justin Lieck at justin.lieck@wisc.edu or 608-263-5971.
3. Submit health forms
- Youth Health Forms Also available in Spanish
- UW-Madison Health Form (only required for youth participants. If registering online, this will be done online)
- Return completed and signed forms to justin.lieck@wisc.edu. fax to 608-265-6407; or mail to UW-Extension PYD, 432 N Lake St, Room 105, Madison, WI 53706
4. Required Forms and Consents
Youth who register will be asked to consent to the following forms during registration. Some of the forms are optional. They are also located below so that you can view them ahead of time. The forms are:
- Youth Assumption of Risk
- Youth Code of Conduct
- Youth Hold Harmless, Indemnity and Release
- Youth Recorded Media Release
Adult Information
All adults register through 4HOnline (available in September). Adult volunteers who are planning on attending and staying overnight will need to enroll as Extension volunteers, which includes a criminal background check, agreeing to behavior expectations, and youth protection trainings to ensure a safe environment. As a volunteer for Extension, you are responsible for all youth at the event, not solely your organization’s youth. Adults who complete the process and are at least 21 are eligible to serve as cabin chaperones. Adults may not attend YPCL if background checks are not complete. Registration link will be available starting September 2nd.
After enrolling as a volunteer, the steps required to be approved are as follows:
- Complete a Criminal Background Check through UW-Madison
- Complete a series of three online trainings:
- Watch these two videos on volunteering with Extension:
- Volunteering with Extension – https://youtu.be/hSCbrt37v6E?si=eGN9DNSy2tIXTnqu
- Volunteer Liability & Risk Management – https://youtu.be/6uytEPbT6zc?si=7ISx6gFkq4MHr7Y3
- Complete the on-site ATCAP training during the YPCL Adult Orientation
We will contact all adults who registered as volunteers with directions on: initiating background checks, completing online trainings, and expectations for their role during YPCL.
Questions on registration? Reach out to Justin Lieck at justin.lieck@wisc.edu or 608-263-5971.
NOTE: Staff members do not need register in 4-H Online but still need to complete (Instructions, Assumption of Risk, Photo Release and Expectation Forms) as well as a paper health form (says Youth but has been marked as “AA” in age section.)
Health Coordinator Role
The Volunteer Health Coordinator role provides leadership for the health and safety needs of participants and works cooperatively with youth and adult volunteers in providing a safe event for youth. Find additional resources in the role description below.
Volunteers serving as a Health Coordinator for an Extension Program must complete the “Basic Medication Administration” course (click link to go to training).
When you complete the training, you will receive an email confirmation/certificate. Forward your completion email/certificate to 4h@extension.wisc.edu and your certification will be placed on file.
Notes
- If any participant will be under age 14 before the beginning of the conference on November 8, 2024, contact Joe Maldonado (414-339-4574 or joe.maldonado@wisc.edu) for alternative registration procedures.
- High school students should register as youth participants even if they are already 18.
- Anyone out of high school and 18 or older should register as an adult.
- What to Pack for YPCL – in case you need some ideas on what to bring!
Need ideas to pay for team registration? We put together some Fundraising Ideas for YPCL Teams.
Questions? Email Joe Maldonado or call at 414-339-4574
Like us on Facebook at YPCL Wisconsin and we’ll keep you updated.
Issue and Tactics Sessions led by Youth Groups Working in These Areas
- Healthy Lifestyles – healthy eating, going green, alcohol and other drug abuse prevention
- Interpersonal Relationships – social media/cyber issues, teen pregnancy, healthy dating relationships
- Diversity/Multicultural Engagement – issues related to race, sexual orientation, gender, immigration status
- Ending Bullying and Youth Violence – gang violence, school to prison pipeline, working for better juvenile justice
- Youth and Adult Power – working together on issues in education and politics
Most of our workshops were led by teams participating in the conference and we are looking for more for 2022. Do you have a workshop to share?
This year’s workshops align with our theme ‘Remaining Rooted In Your Resistance’. Workshops can range in topic areas, but should incorporate the themes of policy, systems, and environment. Submit your workshop here: https://forms.gle/wwD5nPcpuoQK8D5R6. Submissions are due October 7th. Priority is given to workshops that are led/co-led by youth.
Outcomes of recent YPCL Conferences
