About the Youth Congress

The Youth Congress is a youth leadership program that implements a student-focused curriculum, blending leadership development with life skills and strategies for increased learning. Offered during the NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference each July, GEAR UP students who participate in the Youth Congress have the opportunity to experience a professional conference while interacting and learning with other students from around the country.

 

The students will learn strategies for increasing learning capacity, as well as relationship and communication skill-building.  They will also experience leadership skill development, while strengthening their confidence to effectively tell their story.   In addition to the youth development and training, the students will have the opportunity to be a part of some of the plenary sessions at the conference.

 

NCCEP encourages GEAR UP programs to determine which of their students will participate through a process that ensures that the GEAR UP students fully understand what the Youth Congress program entails and the opportunity it presents for them and students are interested and willing to commit to fully participating in all aspects of the Youth Congress.

 

If a program is considering sending multiple students, we do suggest that the number of students per program remain under ten – to allow the learning community to experience the geographic diversity that is a valuable component of the Youth Congress.  Registration will be open to the first 120 students.

 

NCCEP is partnering with the well-respected team at Seeds Training, an organization committed to delivering high-impact training programs for teens, to lead and deliver this year’s Youth Congress.