YOUTH EXPLORING STEWARDSHIP CONFERENCE
Photo by Anna Sofia Vera / The Nature Conservancy
WHAT:
At this FREE annual conference, staff from outdoor focused youth programs in the Colorado Front Range will come together to share knowledge, resources, and lead activities for youth who are interested in stewardship paths to explore and test out various paths and actions.
Youth have a choice between a one or two-day overnight leadership experience, where environmentally activated youth leaders from around the Colorado Front Range will be able to…
- Participate in hands-on stewardship and fun outdoor career activities in small groups
- Explore future stewardship academic and career opportunities
- Take their leadership skills to the next level
- Make new friends, and have fun outside!
WHERE:
Cal-Wood Education Center near Jamestown, CO
WHEN:
Annually held in early October. Applications to attend are typically open in June.
WHO:
Are you in high school in the Colorado Front Range? Then this event is for YOU!
FREE for all high schoolers in the Colorado Front Range area. Overnight spots are limited.
REGISTRATION:
Registration for the 2025 Conference is closed. Check back in Summer 2026 for the next YES Conference!
A look at past conferences…
The annual Youth Exploring Stewardship Conference is held at Cal-Wood Education Center outside Jamestown, Colorado. The conference is free and open to high-school-aged youth who are excited and looking to get involved in stewardship and environmental leadership.
Being able to learn how to plant trees to rebuild forests after devastating fires was so enlightening!
2022 Conference Participant
The YES Conference focuses on connecting diverse youth, giving youth the tools and resources to take their engagement to the next level, and building a regional culture of stewardship. Youth have the chance to lead one another in forestry work, meet with and learn from professionals in a variety of relevant fields, and participate in workshops on topics ranging from natural resource career awareness to mental health.
Photo by Austin Hannon
Because the YES Coalition is focused on meeting the real needs of young people, the conference agenda is determined with input from youth themselves and the lessons learned from past YES Conferences. With several organizations involved in the YES Coalition, we are able to solicit feedback from a diverse range of young people.
Photo by James Tsui
I can’t believe I got a chance to learn about all these new opportunities and career paths. There are so many options for me now!
It’s so great to get together with other youth who care about the environment and talk through new ideas for impact.
Getting to try my hand at real life search and rescue and wilderness first aid was an amazing experience..that now I want to pursue as a field!
The organizations that made this conference really care about helping guide us into leading our own stewardship actions in our own communities and getting to build and test my skills with other students with their support was an experience I’ll never forget!
2022 and 2023 Conference Participants
Youth Exploring Stewardship 