Registration open for February Leadership Awareness Weekend youth event

North Dakota youth interested in learning about city and state government, political parties, elections and how bills become law are invited to register for Leadership Awareness Weekend, held Feb. 14 and 15, 2027.

“Leadership Awareness Weekend allows students to take what they’re learning in the classroom and see it in real life,” says Kelly Parker, North Dakota State University Extension 4-H youth development specialist. “We just came out of election season, and now our youth get to see how policies are developed, debated and shaped as our legislature begins a new session.”

The event will start on Feb. 14 at the North Dakota State University Extension office in Burleigh County. A panel of local and state government members will discuss their roles in developing state laws and policies.

On Feb. 15, attendees will tour the state capitol, sit in on committee meetings, visit the North Dakota Heritage Center and join North Dakota state legislators on the floor for the general session.

Registration costs $70 per person until the end of November, and then it increases to $80 until registration closes on Jan. 15. The cost covers materials, Monday lunch and a polo shirt.

Parents are invited to attend and must pick up their youth after the close of session each day. The events are open to youth ages 13-18 regardless of whether they are enrolled in 4-H, and registration is available at ndsu.ag/LAW-27.

For more information, contact Parker at kelly.burdett@ndsu.edu.

North Dakota 4-H is a program of NDSU Extension.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Nov. 10, 2026

Source: Kelly Parker, 701-231-5593, kelly.burdett@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu