Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Opportunities (YELLO) is a 4-H leadership conference for youth in grades 7 and up that prepares youth to learn and lead in their communities. YELLO is planned and facilitated by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors.
Our 2025 conference will include engaging and interactive activities. The conference will be held June 10-13, 2025, at the University of Minnesota Morris.
Youth will
- Gain leadership skills in personal values, communication, and group decision-making.
- Explore careers, college and other topics of interest through interactive workshops.
- Develop positive connections with other youth and adults through small and large groups, workshops and other interactive sessions.
- Take health breaks to recharge and process learning.
For participants
YELLO includes educational workshops, group networking experiences, inspiring messages from nationally-recognized speakers, field trips and opportunities to contribute to the local community through service projects.
Youth participants will also engage in team-building exercises and opportunities to build life-long skills and get to know other youth from across the state. Leadership lessons will be led by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors throughout the event. Youth will look at leadership through personal, group and societal levels.
This year will include learning about our personal values, communication and group decision-making.
To register
Youth in grades 7 through one year post-high school are welcome to attend.
Registration is now open! The early bird registration fee is $300 and has been extended to April 15! Starting April 16, the price for YELLO registration will go up to $350, so register today.
If this will be your first 4-H experience, we’d love to have you! Email our team at [email protected] so we can help you with registration.
Registration details
- Register in 4-H Online.
- New to Minnesota 4-H? Participants must first be enrolled (no participation commitment is required beyond BLU).
- Learn more about joining 4-H.
- Note: New youth enrollments must be approved by Extension staff before the member can register for an event, which may take a day or two.
- Once logged into 4-H Online, complete the following steps to register:
- Click on the "Member List."
- Click on "View" for the member you'd like to register, then click on "Register for a new event."
- Locate and click on the YELLO event. You will then need to complete the registration questions provided.
- You will also need to select your payment method and click "Finish" to submit your registration.
- You will receive an email confirmation that your registration has been submitted.
- For assistance, refer to the event registration guide or contact [email protected].
- New to Minnesota 4-H? Participants must first be enrolled (no participation commitment is required beyond BLU).
Cost
$300 - Early bird registration from Feb. 1 to April 15
$350 - Registration from April 16 to May 9
There will also be an option for a $50 bus ticket to and from YELLO.
How can I pay?
After you have completed the registration questions in 4-H Online, you will be given two payment options:
- Electronic payment (credit card)
- Pay by check
- Make a check payable to "University of Minnesota" and submit to:
YELLO
U of M Extension 4-H
1420 Eckles Ave, 475 Coffey Hall
St. Paul, MN 55108
- Make a check payable to "University of Minnesota" and submit to:
Financial assistance
Several counties have financial assistance available for local youth to access. Please contact your local 4-H staff directly for more information.
Some financial support is available from the state 4-H office. Contact Meg Clark at [email protected] to learn more.
Refund/cancellation policy
Notification of cancellations must be submitted in writing to [email protected].
Cancellations made after May 27 are subject to a $50 late cancellation fee. For individuals who are using the bus, you are subject to an additional $25 cancellation fee.
The state 4-H office is offering transportation from various stops around the state. YELLO participants can sign up for a bus ticket and identify preferred stops during registration. Bus tickets are $50 round trip.
Your local 4-H program may provide alternative transportation; please ask them directly. Participants can also provide their own transportation if preferred.
Youth leaders
The Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors work together to plan and facilitate this event. They are youth in grades 11-13 who have been selected to serve a one-year term in planning this and similar events for other youth across the state.
The 4-H State Ambassadors teach most of the sessions and will lead small groups of youth participants through activities and discussions during the event.
4-H staff
Several Minnesota 4-H staff members will be onsite to assume overall responsibility for the event. The names and contact information of the 4-H staff will be shared with event attendees prior to the event.
Adult volunteer chaperones
Minnesota 4-H volunteers who are at least 21 years of age are needed to chaperone this event.
Interested adult volunteers should review the YELLO volunteer chaperone role description and apply. They will be contacted if they are selected to attend.
Adult volunteer chaperones work to support the program activities and provide a safe environment for attendees. In addition to supporting the youth attendees, chaperones accomplish a variety of tasks at the event, including, but not limited, to taking photos, helping with meal service and distributing supplies.
If you have further chaperone questions, email [email protected].
Where does YELLO take place?
The 2025 YELLO will take place at University of Minnesota Morris. Youth may also be bussed to different locations for service projects and some educational sessions.
Where do participants stay?
Youth and chaperones will be staying in a residential hall on the University of Minnesota Morris.
Participants will be roomed with youth of similar gender and age and placed close to others from similar geographic areas when possible. Youth may indicate a roommate preference when registering.
A set of sheets, a blanket and a towel will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own.
Still have questions?
We’re here to help! Check out the 2025 YELLO event information document or send your questions to our program advisors Meg Clark and Jacquie Lonning at [email protected].