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Vermont Teens Leading the Way to Safety and a Drug Free Lifestyle

The Governor's Youth Leadership Conference has really grown over the years. Starting as a conference run, and planned by adults in 1986; it has developed into a conference run and planned by those who attend it, teens.

The conference occurs near the end of November each year. The conference features nationally recognized key-note speakers, and individual workshops to spread the word that a drug-free lifestyle is the way to go!

GYLC for 2008 was a Success! This year's conference date would me announced at a later date. However, we still plan to hold the conference at the Sheraton Conference Center in South Burlington.

Conference Goal

GYLC focuses on prevention and wellness issues including alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, traffic safety, violence, other risk taking behaviors, and acknowledging diversity. Participants will return to their schools and communities empowered to make a difference with increased knowledge, resources, skills, and support.

Conference Objectives

• To develop an awareness of the impact that destructive decisions have on our lives.

• To identify ways that teen leaders can address these issues and diversity within their schools, communities, government and with friends and family.

• To present a variety of successful youth leadership programs that will motivate participants to get involved by implementing these programs in their communities.

• To identify, practice and advocate supportive ways to adopt and maintain a safe, drug-free lifestyle.

• To create an environment in Vermont where healthy and diverse relationships can develop and flourish between teens, adults, and children.

Who Attends?

Teens are sent from schools state-wide in teams of 5 students and 2 adults. Together, they participate in general sessions, workshops, networking, sharing their school's successes and problems dealing with prevention, intervention, traffic safety, and planning substance free activities for students.