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Youth Development Conference

What is the Youth Development Conference?

YDC is the premiere professional development opportunity for CP officers. For the Cadet Program to reach the next level of its success, and continue to stay relevant to the needs of today’s teens, our Cadet Program Officers must look for inspiration in the wider profession of youth development. 

The Youth Development Conference aims to bring in experts in the field of youth development to help us see how those principles can be used to enhance our already excellent youth leadership program. If CAP wants to remain a leader in youth development, we must continue to learn and grow as the research develops.  The conference aims to help CP officers learn what issues affect teens today, and what other youth-serving organizations are doing to remain relevant to today’s challenges, all while we simultaneously maintaining CAP's best traditions.

This Year's Theme: TBD

Date: TBD

Typically MLK Weekend

The conference is typically held over MLK weekend. Conference sessions typically take place Friday night (7:00-9:00), all day (8:30-5:30) Saturday & all day Sunday. 

Location: TBD

 

Invited Audience

This program is limited to Region and Wing DCPs or their designee, invited members of the National Cadet Team, and distinguished guests. We encourage a representative from each wing and region to be present. If the DCP can’t make it, please select a designee to take your place.

As space allows, other members will be invited. If you are not a DCP but interested in attending the conference, please email Elizabeth Hornbach at ehornbach@capnhq.gov and we will add you to the waiting list. 

Invitations typical go out in November, so be sure to watch your email. 

Tuition & Expenses: TBD

To make the conference accessible to DCPs, or their designee, the tuition will be reduced. A part of the registration fees will be covered by CAP, and a part by the attendee. 

  • Cadet Programs Officer Discounted Registration fee: $120 (in 2025)

  • Approved Travel expenses will be reimbursed up to: $450 ($720 for HI & AK) in 2025.
    Please read the YDC Travel Policy thoroughly BEFORE booking travel. 

  • Hotel expenses will be paid by CAP, on a double-occupancy basis. Single occupancy may be available for an extra charge of $275 (subject to hotel availability) in 2025.

Cancelation Policy: TBD

 

Course Credit  

This conference meets the requirements for a Level 3 conference attendance. The conference will be added to eServices.  You must attend at least 80% of the conference to receive credit.

Previous Conferences

 

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