Registration Open for 2026 ILEAD Youth Summit

High school students in Marion, Polk and Linn Counties are invited to the 17th annual ILEAD Youth Summit on Saturday, March 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Salem - Knudson Branch.

"At this year's ILEAD, our theme is all about acknowledging struggles teens face in finding community, which is a great reason for teens even outside of Salem to attend, because the summit will not only teach about how to build connections, but also will help with the building of these connections between teens from various schools through the experiences of the summit itself," Said Clemma Evander, 11th grade, Central High School.

Why This Event Matters

The ILEAD Youth Summit is designed to inspire and empower teens to become confident leaders in their schools and communities. By providing workshops, resources, and opportunities for connection, the event helps participants develop essential life skills and prepare for the challenges and opportunities they'll encounter as young adults. This year's theme, Stronger When We Lead Together, encourages students to come together while developing as leaders.

"We decided on the Stronger When We Lead Together slogan to emphasize connection and community-building," said Mei-Yu Leung a student at Early College High School. "While facing the challenges of life, it is important for youth to build meaningful relationships and have their voices heard. This message resonates with the Youth Committee, and we hope that ILEAD attendees will embrace the slogan and feel encouraged to lead together."

Key Details

Pre-conference activities are from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and include a breakfast buffet, an Opportunities and Resource Fair, building tours, and games to help wake up. This free event offers a day of learning, growth and fun, bringing together teens from across the region to explore leadership, life readiness, and healthy living.

Here are the top five things to know about this year's ILEAD Youth Summit:

1. Free for All Participants - There is no cost to attend.
2. Registration Deadline - Sign up by March 5 at noon.
3. Meals and Swag - Breakfast, lunch, event T-shirts, and swag bags are included.
4. Engaging Workshops - Choose from a variety of interactive sessions.
5. Opportunity & Resource Fair - Explore volunteer and internship opportunities along with teen-relevant resources during the opening session.

Workshops and Activities

"ILEAD is intentionally a safe and drug-free third space for the day where teens can relax, have fun, connect and belong," said Laurie Shaw Casarez, ILEAD Director and Opioid Prevention Coordinator for the City of Salem. "I think the ILEAD culture encourages personal growth for teens without any expectations, which in turn fosters an openness to learning through workshops and activities."

"Leading together is relevant today because there's no change when [only] one person works for it," said Azreal Decker of Chemawa High School. "We all must pitch in for a brighter future."

The youth-led planning committee selected this year's workshops based on feedback from past participants and the needs of local students. Teens can choose from sessions focused on:

• Leadership Development - Learn how to better communicate, delegate, and manage teams.
• Personal Growth - Find out ways to embrace challenges and persist with setbacks.
• Health and Well-Being - Discover strategies to stay mentally and physically healthy including preventing burnout
• Life Readiness - Prepare for life after high school with practical tools and advice including financial literacy and college and career readiness.

Substance Use Prevention

This year's summit also includes a critical focus on prevention of substance use. The Western Oregon University Public Health Club, in partnership with ILEAD partner and sponsor Marion County Health and Human Services and their , will lead a presentation on the dangers and impacts of vaping. Participants will learn life-saving strategies and gain awareness of this growing public health issue.

How to Register

To learn more about the ILEAD Youth Summit and to register, visit the City of Salem's ILEAD Youth Summit event web page. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, grow, and lead!