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The YEL Leadership program is a year-long youth leadership program that supports high school students with becoming school leaders for change by educating school communities, inspiring civic responsibility and innovating solutions towards a more sustainable future.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
High School Sophomores, Junior and Senior students may be nominated for the leadership program.
Applications Due: 9/11/2026
The program will run through the 2026-27 school year and will consist of both in-person and virtual events. Students selected for the program will be committing to attend and actively participate in the activities and events related to the program.
The following are anticipated dates, but are subject to change as needed:
October 23-25, 2026 | YEL Leadership Conference | 3 days, 2-night conference at the Sky Mountain Outdoor Education Center
By nomination only
$150 per student to attend
November 18, 2026 @ 4-5 | Causes and Impacts of Waste, Guest Speaker, Green Action Plan Check-in | Virtual
January 27, 2027 @ 4-5 | Communicating, Collaborating and Taking Action, Guest Speaker, Green Action Plan Check-in | Virtual
March 10, 2027 | Try Small Actions and Sharing Results, Guest Speaker, Green Action Plan Check-in | Virtual
April 27, 2027 | Youth for Environmental Literacy Summit| Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center | 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
May 1, 2027 | Present & Reflect on Green Action Plans, Celebrate and Plan Ahead - Environmental Literacy Network Celebration | Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center | Time TBA
Nomination Forms
Nomination Forms
If you are interested in nominating a high school Sophomore or Junior or you are a student who would like to participate in the leadership program.
Talk to your high school contact (counselor, teacher etc.) and express your interest in participation.
High School contact will complete the nomination form.
All selected students will be announced on or before September 18, 2026.
2026-27 Nomination Form | https://forms.gle/sfer6p5fe2mnXftH7
YEL Conference Forms
YEL Conference Forms
All Forms must be completed and signed in order to participate in the YEL Conference at Sky Mountain Outdoor Education Center.
Additional school field trip and permissions may be required to attend. Please check with your school contact to ensure all excusals and permissions are completed before attending.
All forms should be completed and turned into your high school contact by Friday, October 9, 2026. Your high school contact person should then scan and email the forms to Tamara Basepayne at tbasepayne@sjcoe.net.
Bring the original copies of all forms with you to be turned in when you check in for the retreat.
You will need to be dropped off at 9:00 am at the Wentworth Education Center (2707 Transworld Drive, Stockton, CA 95206) on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Bring a sack lunch on Friday the 23rd. Lunch will not be provided on the 23rd.
Students need to be picked up on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 2 pm at the Wentworth Education Center.
Bus transportation, all meals beginning with dinner on the 23rd and the leadership conference costs $150 for all selected San Joaquin County students. Please check with your school contact to determine who is responsible for the cost of attendance (the student or the school site).
Check out the packing list to know what to bring to the YEL Conference. Be aware that weather may change and students may need to bring additional layers or rain jackets.
If you have any questions, please contact Tamara Basepayne at tbasepayne@sjcoe.net.
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