Youth to Youth 2025 Summer Conference

Save the date!

July 9-12, 2025

Ohio Wesleyan University

An opportunity for an unrivaled youth-led training experience awaits.

This conference will be exciting, idea packed and full of creative new ways for youth and adults to work together in their communities. Based on the four components of effective prevention: Information, Personal Growth, Environmental Change and Drug-Free Alternatives, this unique training opportunity will allow youth to take the lead. Participants leave with new skills and a deeper personal commitment to their positive decision-making and ability to create change within their own schools and communities. Many youth-led programs began at a Youth to Youth conference and use it as a starting point or “battery charger” for the upcoming year.

Youth to Youth conferences address issues that are relevant to teens.

This conference is designed for youth and their supporting adults to participate together in all aspects of the conference for a uniquely shared experience. Working side by side, they will have the opportunity to construct and/or revitalize a plan of action to implement back home. Adults will also have opportunities to network with other like-minded adults and to learn effective strategies to guide their teens to success. 

Evaluations conducted by The Ohio State University show that youth attending the Youth to Youth Conference experience positive changes in their self-perceptions; specifically, in key areas such as knowledge about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, self-efficacy and leadership. These outcomes are met through uplifting small discussion groups, workshops conducted by youth and experts in the field, creative teambuilding, dynamic speakers, and of course, FUN. 

Youth to Youth conferences are designed for drug-free community coalitions, school clubs, youth serving organizations, peer educators, faith-based groups, character and asset builders and any and every type of young person! 

The Y2Y Conference Experience

  • Development

    Development is a continuous and never-ending process, where one will experience growth and become empowered to advance. Youth to Youth continually provides young people from all over the world a chance to make positive change in themselves, their schools, communities and beyond. Y2Y is a youth development program with an emphasis on tobacco, alcohol and other drug prevention. The development of youth is the prevention, and our conferences are the model for youth-led prevention in action. Development also means "to start to exist". Many youth-led programs began at a Youth to Youth conference and use them as a starting point or battery charger for the upcoming year.

  • Empowerment

    An opportunity for an unrivaled youth-led training experience awaits. Y2Y conferences address issues that are relevant to teens such as underage drinking, prescription drug misuse, opiates, marijuana, tobacco use, distracted driving, healthy relationships, stress and anxiety, suicide, body image, media influences, bullying, gender roles, mindfulness and more.

    Youth to Youth conferences are designed for youth and their supporting adults to participate together in all aspects of the conference for a uniquely shared experience. Working side by side, they will have the opportunity to construct and/or revitalize a plan of action to implement back home. Adults will also have special “Adult Forums” to network with other like-minded adults and to learn effective strategies to guide their teens to success.

  • Impact

    The original process of a Youth to Youth conference has proven year after year to meet all six of its’ key desired outcomes. Evaluations concluded by The Ohio State University show that youth attending the conferences experience positive changes in their self-perceptions; specifically, in key areas such as knowledge about ATOD, self-efficacy and leadership. But the ability to also revise content to be fresh and innovative is what brings people back year after year to Y2Y summer conferences.

    These outcomes are met through uplifting small discussion groups, workshops conducted by youth and experts in the field, creative teambuilding, dynamic speakers, refreshing youth-created and delivered presentations, and of course FUN.

Conference Volunteer Opportunities

Adult Staff Volunteer

Adults that have graduated in or before 2023 (must be at least 20 years old)

Every year we offer the opportunity for adults to be a part of the Youth to Youth Conference volunteer staff. The staff role is one of the most critical and influential parts of a Youth to Youth Conference. Youth to Youth conferences are very active, participatory conferences. It is an excellent opportunity to receive training in many areas of youth leadership/drug prevention programming. We value the commitment of these adults who are willing to assist in helping teens make positive choices and we promise to make the conference a learning, rewarding and fun experience for adult staff.

Youth Staff Volunteer

Students graduating high school in 2025 - 2027

Every year we offer the opportunity for youth to be a part of the Youth to Youth Conference volunteer staff. The staff role is one of the most critical and influential parts of a Youth to Youth Conference. Youth to Youth conferences are very active, participatory conferences. It is an excellent opportunity to receive training in many areas of youth leadership/drug prevention programming. We value the commitment of these youth who are willing to assist in helping their peers make positive choices and we promise to make the conference a learning, rewarding and fun experience for youth staff.

A-Team Volunteers

Graduated High School in or before 2024

Every year we offer the opportunity for Y2Y alumni to be a part of the Youth to Youth administrative team. The A-Team volunteers play a critical role behind the scenes at conference. From event set up to tear down and everything in between the A-Team volunteers help to make conference a memorable experience for all attendees.

Workshop Presenters

Youth to Youth strives to provide teens and their adult advisors with up-to-date, accurate information on topics that will assist them in their peer prevention programming efforts. We are looking for youth and adults who are promoting a drug-free lifestyle and want to empower others.

We are asking that you present unique, creative ideas and provide skill-building opportunities for others at the conference.  We encourage workshops to be interactive and not solely based on lecturing and question and answer.  Conference participants prefer presentations which focus on “how to” information, which will assist them in accomplishing goals in their own schools and communities.  Topic areas include but are not limited to:  Bullying, Healthy Relationships, Stress and Anxiety, Dating Violence, Media Influences, Suicide, Distracted Driving, Depression, Youth Obesity, Underage Drinking, Tobacco, Hookah, E-Cigarettes, Marijuana, Prescription Drug Misuse, etc.

Event Volunteers

Graduated High School in or before 2024

See the conference in action from behind the scenes!

Unable to attend conference or serve as adult staff? Don’t worry, we still have plenty of opportunities for you to provide invaluable support. Pick a day, event, or time that works for your schedule.

Volunteers are the heart of this conference, with whom it wouldn’t be possible. Just a few hours of your time can make an impact that lasts a lifetime.

  • Speakers

  • Family Groups

  • Fun Events

  • Team Building

  • Stage Presentations

  • Workshops

Our Partners