Our events provide students with the most up-to-date knowledge and experiences in the field of sustainable innovation! Recognition events during the spring competition celebrate and reward teams for outstanding projects.
Fall Summit
Each year, we launch the YES Season with our energizing Fall Summit at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center in Spicer, Minnesota. This exciting event brings together students from across the state for a day filled with collaboration, creativity, and connection.
Participants engage in team-building challenges and hands-on learning sessions led by local environmental experts. From sharing innovative project ideas to exploring real-world sustainability topics, the Fall Summit helps teams kick-start their planning with inspiration and momentum. It’s a fun, high-energy day that sparks excitement for what’s possible in the year ahead!
YES Weekend Retreat
Held at the stunning Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minnesota, the YES Weekend Retreat offers students an unforgettable experience of learning, leadership, and adventure.
Over the course of the weekend, participants dive deeper into environmental topics through immersive workshops, outdoor exploration, and skill-building activities—all led by passionate experts and educators. The retreat provides a unique opportunity for students to connect with like-minded peers from across the state, strengthen their teamwork, and gain valuable tools to support their environmental action projects.
Set against the backdrop of northern Minnesota’s beautiful North Shore, the YES Weekend Retreat is where knowledge meets nature—and where young leaders grow their passion for creating a more sustainable future.
Winter Workshops
YES Winter Workshops offer a unique and engaging learning experience tailored to the real-world projects students are working on. Each workshop connects teams with local experts who share their knowledge and lead hands-on activities that deepen understanding and inspire action.
Students have the opportunity to explore topics directly related to their goals—whether it’s renewable energy, waste reduction, water quality, or sustainable agriculture. Many workshops also include behind-the-scenes tours of organizations or businesses leading the way in sustainability, giving students a firsthand look at innovative solutions in action.
These workshops are a great way to gain new insights, ask questions, and build momentum for impactful environmental projects.
Spring Showcase
The optional YES Spring Competition gives student teams the chance to showcase their work and celebrate their impact. Each participating team selects one project to highlight through a short video presentation, which is shared with a panel of judges made up of local green career professionals.
This is an exciting opportunity for students to practice communication skills, gain valuable feedback from experts in the field, and inspire others with their creative solutions to environmental challenges.
The top two teams are awarded a fully funded field trip to a surprise destination—revealed at the start of the YES Season. It’s a fun and rewarding way to wrap up the year and recognize outstanding teamwork and innovation.