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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.

 

2026 Conference 

This year, we will not be holding a standalone Youth Development Conference. Instead, we are bringing the energy, expertise, and inspiration of YDC directly into the 2026 National Conference!

The 2026 National Conference curriculum will be fully dedicated to Cadet Programs and Youth Development. Attendees can look forward to a robust lineup of sessions focused on best practices in youth development and leading a quality Cadet Program. By combining our efforts into one national event, we can offer a wider variety of topics, connect participants from across the country, and provide even more opportunities to learn, share, and grow together. We'd love to see a DCP from every wing represented. 

We’re excited to see our youth development community come together in one place to celebrate achievements, exchange ideas, and strengthen our collective impact. Mark your calendar and join us for this special, Cadat Programs-focused National Conference experience!

 

Save the date!

  • Date: 28-29 August 2026

  • Location: Kansas City, MO

 

Previous Conferences

 

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