Youth Leadership FAQs

What are the age requirements?
The Youth Leadership courses are designed for ages 13–19 years old; however, email us if you have an exception!

Do youth need to pre-register for the separate tracks?
Youth and adult advisors must register for the Key Essentials tracks, but the breakout sessions will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

How do I pre-register for the separate tracks?
You can register for the Key Essentials track when completing registration. Each room will be color-coded to match a color on your badge, simplifying navigation and ensuring you find your way effortlessly.

Can Youth and Adult Advisors attend Key Essentials some days and the breakout tracks other days?
Unfortunately, no. The Key Essentials training is designed to span the full four days of Mid-Year. Registering for Key Essentials commits you to attending every day of the program.

Can adults attend the youth breakout track?
This track is specifically for our youth attendees. You may accompany a youth attendee in your coalition, but youth attendees will be given priority in the sessions.

Are adults required to participate with the youth in youth leadership courses?
Adult advisors are required to participate with their youth if they are registered for the Key Essentials course. CADCA’s Youth Leadership model is a specialized training built on establishing healthy adult-youth partnerships and expects adults to work with youth throughout the training sessions. This is not a chaperone role, but instead a coach/mentor from the coalition who will support the implementation of strategies developed upon returning to the coalition. While adult advisors are not required to attend the breakout track with their youth, we encourage you to still attend with them!

What is the attire?
The attire is casual during training sessions. Please avoid clothing that is too tight, loose, short or revealing.

What should attendees bring?
If your coalition has community data (e.g., youth survey data), please bring it! You should also bring any props or costumes that you’d like to use for the youth talent show.

Do the youth follow the same adult schedule?
Yes and no. While lunchtimes and breaks will be the same as the adult schedule, youth will have a concurrent opening plenary on Monday! We will also still have the Youth Meet-Up N’ Chill on Monday, and the Youth Talent Show on Wednesday.