Published February 7 2014
Registration is now open for Youth Involvement 2014, a conference for all Bellevue middle- and high-school age youth on Friday, March 7, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at City Hall.
The conference, hosted by Bellevue Youth Link, will bring Bellevue middle and high school youth together to help identify communitywide youth priorities. It will also provide them with opportunities to learn new skills, connect with volunteer opportunities, network with other students and develop leadership skills.
In addition to middle and high school age youth, adults, including parents, business leaders, youth workers or those interested in youth needs are invited to attend. Teachers and youth group leaders are encouraged to bring their classes and learn together.
Planned by youth for youth, the conference theme is "Strive, Thrive, Survive: It’s A Jungle Out There!" Conference participants are invited to attend several workshops featuring a variety of topics, including: technology, emergency/disaster preparation, youth philanthropy, outdoor recreation, community planning and preparing for high school and college. Some sessions will be led by youth for youth, and at the lunch hour, students will meet with local elected and community leaders regarding priorities for community action.
Featured speakers will include Heather "Anish" Anderson, who will share her amazing story of hiking over 2,600 miles in the Pacific Crest Trail from Canada to Mexico, and Adam Fletcher, author of "Ending Discrimination Against Young People" and president of Common Action Consulting, who will emcee the event and host several workshops on youth engagement.
The conference is free to all youth and adults. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. The event is an excused absence in the Bellevue School District. Students may earn six community service hours for attending.
Registration must be received by February 21 and space is limited to the first 300 registered participants. Space is very limited and early registration is recommended.
To register, visit www.myparksandrecreation.com and search the key word "involvement." Registration forms are also available at City Hall, Bellevue community centers and at Bellevue public middle and high schools.
The city has hosted a youth involvement conference every two years since the early '90s. Through Bellevue Youth Link, teens and adults have worked together to develop many exciting youth programs, including: the Bellevue Skate Park, Ground Zero Teen Center, Bellevue Youth Court and Teen Closet.
For more information, contact Bellevue Youth Link at 425-452-5254 or email palina@bellevuewa.gov.