Camp Connect 2026

Camp Connect: Nashville was a success! In collaboration with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the Youth Engagement Alliance gathered 40 tobacco control professionals to build connection and capacity on youth engagement best practices.

Participants from across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions heard a keynote presentation from the North Carolina T21 Coalition, met in small groups to discuss coordinating policy action, and swapped stories and strategies for organizing, communicating, battling burnout, and more. Attendees also learned how they can stay involved with the YEA through webinars and engagement with the Leadership Team. Thank you to everyone who made this event so productive and fun!

Coordinator Camp 2025

We are grateful for those who were able to participate in Coordinator Camp 2025 at the University of Illinois – Chicago. The theme, Time to Re-Up, perfectly encapsulated the energy and dedication needed to confront a rapidly changing product and policy landscape.

Coordinator Camp 2025, planned with great intention by YEA National Leadership Team members, began with a mission. The goals included: 

  • Creating a space where connections could grow between coordinators from different regions and programs to foster a community of support.
  • Introducing and reinforcing a centering of youth engagement work using the pillars of authentic youth-adult partnerships and social justice.
  • Providing an opportunity to explore different dimensions of sustainability including funding, workforce and professional development, and care for the well-being of adults working in youth engagement.
  • Using storytelling, art, and guided community conversations to help people network, learn, share, and get empowered.

Coordinator Camp 2025 was a huge leap toward achieving these goals – gathering 120+ professionals from across the country. But, there’s still a lot of work to be done.

Please stay tuned for more updates on Coordinator Camp, Camp Connect, and other YEA offerings. You can also join the YEA LinkedIn Group to stay informed.