Successful Conference on Youth Safety Held in February
Written by Kari Borne
Earlier this year, UW-Whitewater’s Continuing Education Services hosted the inaugural Youth Safety Summit in the Wisconsin Dells. UW-Whitewater has been offering youth camps and clinics for more than 50 years, and is recognized as a leader in youth safety and protection.
Professionals from organizations such as Girl Scouts, YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, and several Universities of Wisconsin campuses and K-12 schools gathered to learn from experts in legal, mental health, and substance abuse fields. The conference was offered in partnership with Tree House Child and Family Center, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Universities of Wisconsin.
"Bringing together experts and stakeholders, the summit created a shared obligation to youth wellbeing,” said Lucas Peterson, director of Continuing Education Services. UW-Whitewater is committed to connecting with other youth serving organizations to advance youth safety in our programming.”
Participants had an opportunity to earn a Youth Mental Health First Aid certification through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in pre-conference sessions. “This program provided me with a five-step action plan to assist youth in crisis and non-crisis situations,” said Nick Hwang, associate professor of communication and director of game development and esportscamps. “As someone who has led summer camps and worked closely with young people, I understand the importance of staying informed about potential risks and best practices to ensure their safety. This summit reinforced the necessity of proactive awareness, intervention, and creating spaces where youth feel supported and heard. I'm grateful for this enriching experience and look forward to applying these skills in future youth programs!”
Teams of youth-serving professionals expressed appreciation for the relevant content and networking the summit provided. “Participating in the Youth Safety Summit was an incredible experience for our team” said Logan Hennessy, education manager at theGirl Scouts of Wisconsin – Badgerland. “Listening to nation-wide subject matter experts discuss such important topics surrounding protection of our youth was inspiring. The summit provided our team with many opportunities to analyze our current practices, and plan for further education for our membership population. We are very appreciative to the committee for planning such an engaging and impactful event.”
The Youth Safety Summit is tentatively scheduled to be held again in 2026.