CHARACTER ACADEMY LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
A leadership development workshop for High School Juniors and Seniors.
Invest in your leaders — transform your school.
Thurs. February 5, 2026
9AM—12PM
TBD
Omaha, NE
11th & 12th Grade
Student Leaders
WORKSHOP THEME
Be seen — in service of others
Thurs. February 12, 2026
9AM—12PM
Mount Mary University
Milwaukee, WI
11th & 12th Grade
Student Leaders
WORKSHOP THEME
Be seen — in service of others
Wed. February 25, 2026
9AM—1PM
Base Camp
Fort Snelling, MN
11th & 12th Grade
Male Student Leaders
WORKSHOP THEME
Using your gifts for good
Wed. March 5, 2026
9AM—1PM
Visitation School
Mendota Heights, MN
11th & 12th Grade
Female Student Leaders
WORKSHOP THEME
Using your gifts for good
FAQ
$495 for up to 20 students and two adult chaperones
The workshop topic for this year’s Nebraska and Wisconsin Leadership Conferences is Confidence. In this session, participants will be equipped with tools to combat nerves, summon a sense of power, and speak up at school, work and beyond.
For the 2026 Young Men’s and Young Women’s Leadership Conferences, the workshop topic is Purpose. In this session, participants will experience an inspirational lesson that helps them identify their personal gifts, passions and values, and consider how those attributes can be used to serve the world’s greatest needs.
Our Character Academy Leadership Conferences are created specifically for juniors and seniors. Youth Frontiers carefully designs programming to meet students’ developmental needs; you can learn more about our programs for 9th and 10th graders HERE.
No dress code! Students can come dressed in whatever they would typically wear to school.
Possibly! Please reach to BJ Skoog bskoog@youthfrontiers.org to explore solutions.
A light breakfast will be provided for all leadership conferences consisting of fruit, granola bars, and pastries. Coffee and water will also be available. Lunch will only be provided at local MN conferences, and the menu will vary per experience.
Please reach out to YF’s Character Academy Program Manager, BJ Skoog, (bskoog@youthfrontiers.org) with any other questions.
In our constantly evolving world, the question for today’s young leaders isn’t just what challenges they will face on the road of life, but how they will face them. This Character Academy Leadership Conference (CALC) guides your students through an engaging workshop to equip them with the character skills they need to have Confidence in themselves.
Participants will experience this program with a cohort of students from the Omaha-Council Bluffs area, and will become more grounded, resilient and self-reflective leaders — ultimately better prepared to have a positive impact in their school and community.
DETAILS
WHEN
Thurs. February 5, 2026
9AM—12PM
WHERE
TBD
Omaha, NE
WHO
11th & 12th Grade
Student Leaders
WORKSHOP THEME
Be seen — in service of others
We all matter, and our unique voices matter. In this session, participants learn tools to combat nerves, summon a sense of power, and speak up at school, work and beyond.
Featured work:
1. Dr. Barbara Markway and Celia Ampel, “The Self-Confidence Workbook: A Guide for Overcoming Self-Doubt”
COUNTDOWN TO NEBRASKA CONFERENCE
In our constantly evolving world, the question for today’s young leaders isn’t just what challenges they will face on the road of life, but how they will face them. This Character Academy Leadership Conference (CALC) guides your students through an engaging workshop to equip them with the character skills they need to have Confidence in themselves.
Participants will experience this program with a cohort of students from the Greater Milwaukee area, and will become more grounded, resilient and self-reflective leaders — ultimately better prepared to have a positive impact in their school and community.
DETAILS
WHEN
Thursday, February 12, 2026
9AM—12PM
WHERE
Milwaukee, WI
WHO
11th & 12th Grade
Student Leaders
WORKSHOP THEME
Be seen — in service of others
We all matter, and our unique voices matter. In this session, participants learn tools to combat nerves, summon a sense of power, and speak up at school, work and beyond.
Featured work:
1. Dr. Barbara Markway and Celia Ampel, “The Self-Confidence Workbook: A Guide for Overcoming Self-Doubt”
COUNTDOWN TO WISCONSIN CONFERENCE
Today’s young men face a world that tells them to chase achievement instead of purpose. What they need most are opportunities to grow in confidence, integrity and character.
This Character Academy Leadership Conference (CALC) offers young men this opportunity. Designed for high school juniors and seniors, this unique experience helps young men explore their strengths and values to better lead with character.
This brand-new conference invites young men to connect with mentors who model authentic leadership and peers who share their journey as they:
• Build confidence and resilience
• Strengthen leadership and communication skills
• Clarify their sense of purpose
They’ll return to school as more grounded, self-aware and service-minded young men, ready to make a positive impact in their school and community.
DETAILS
WHEN
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
9AM—1PM
WHERE
Fort Snelling, MN
WHO
11th & 12th Grade
Male Student Leaders
WORKSHOP THEME
Using your gifts for good
Purpose gives life meaning. Participants will experience an inspirational lesson that helps them identify their personal gifts, passions and values, and consider how those attributes can be used to serve the world’s greatest needs.
Featured work:
Richard Leider, “The Power of Purpose”
COUNTDOWN TO YOUNG MEN’S CONFERENCE
As our world continues to evolve, the question for today’s young women isn’t just what challenges they will face on the road of life, but how they will face them with purpose.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Young Women’s Character Academy Leadership Conference (CALC) invites young women to explore the power of purpose. Through reflection, connection and engaging activities, participants will uncover their unique gifts, passions and values — and consider how to use them to serve the world’s greatest needs.
Students will experience this program with a cohort of peers and mentors from the Greater Twin Cities Metro, and will become more grounded, resilient and self-reflective leaders — ultimately better prepared to have a positive impact in their school and community.
DETAILS
WHEN
Wednesday, March 5, 2026
9AM—1PM
WHERE
Mendota Heights, MN
WHO
11th & 12th Grade
Female Student Leaders
WORKSHOP THEME
Using your gifts for good
Purpose gives life meaning. Participants will experience an inspirational lesson that helps them identify their personal gifts, passions and values, and consider how those attributes can be used to serve the world’s greatest needs.
Featured work:
Richard Leider, “The Power of Purpose”
COUNTDOWN TO YOUNG WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
“Everyone was able to experience how we all have abilities that can make our world better.”
Character Academy Leadership Conference Participant
CHARACTER IN ACTION
Invest in your next generation of leaders
PROGRAM ELEMENTS
Presentations
Grounded in research, brought to life through stories & discussion
Activities
Dynamic community-building activities
Small Groups
Share perspective and deepen connections with others
Reflection
Consider the personal impact of each lesson
Sharing
Commit to living out what was learned
DETAILS
WHO?
11th and 12th-grade leaders from your school.
HOW LONG?
Each conference is 3-4 hours
COST?
$495/school
Register up to 20 students and two educators
HOW TO FUND IT?
Learn about grants and fundraising ideas to help you pay for the registration.