See what the “Western Whitehouse” has to offer and how it is helping spread conservatism from coast to coast.
Find a motivational speaker who will energize your school, challenge the Left, and empower young leaders.
Providing a visible presence for the Conservative Movement and encouraging them to speak out.
Seeking to reinvigorate the respect for free enterprise and entrepreneurship in America.
Training aspiring journalists in the values of responsible, balanced, and accurate reporting.
Providing students with the tools and resources to advance conservatism at high schools and college campuses.
Join the fight for free speech on college campuses. Learn about YAF’s Censorship Exposed project, litigation, and recent victories.
Our seminars are pushing the conservative movement forward and bringing in the best speakers in the nation.
Take a look at the calendar to see where our upcoming events are going to be and how you can attend.
See what programs you can get involved with to make a difference for America and Young Americans Foundation.
Throughout the year we host roundtables and conferences at “the western White House”, the Reagan Ranch.
Join us at our HQ for regular conferences and half day events.
Take a look at roundtables, conferences, and regional events for our supporters.
Students are the future of our nation. We believe that investing time in conservative discourse will strengthen that future.
Providing a visible presence for the Conservative Movement and encouraging them to speak out.
Providing students with the tools and resources to advance conservatism at high schools and college campuses.
On a nearly weekly basis, you can find a YAF student event going on around the country. Tune in here to to find out about upcoming events!
Over the decades, millions of students have been a part of YAF. Stay informed on what your peers are up to!
Are you an alumni that’s not in our directory? Sign up here and receive some of the great benefits of being part of this national network!
Our supporters are the bedrock of our organization. We offer many ways to contribute to the future.
Find out how to pour into the lives of these Young Americans paving the path of Conservatism.
We hold our organization to the highest standards. We think you’ll think so as well!
Let Young America’s Foundation help you create your legacy and protect freedom’s future.
We offer many different ways that you can give. Find out more about them here.
Got questions about supporting YAF? Find your answers here.
From time to time, YAF makes our contributor list of donors available to other organizations to mail.
No need to worry If you missed a speaker at an event, we have a large video library for you to browse through and view.
Bringing the leaders of the Conservative Movement to you. Set up URL “https://www.yaf.org/podcast/” in your podcast library to tune in walking between classes or long car drives
Since the beginning, our publications have been at the heart of our mission. Browse the archives of The New Guard and Libertas here.
View our Mission and find out more information about what Young America’s Foundation is.
Walk through the timeline and see the history of Young America’s Foundation unfold.
Take at look how we have changed over the years, impacted conservatism, and supported our young leaders.
We have the most diligent, hardest working group of individuals at YAF. Feel free to see who is on our team.
See our list of current openings or how to be a part of our internship programs.
To maintain our standard of excellence, we are as open and transparent with the public as possible.
If you are unsure about something, take a look at our frequently asked questions to see if it can be answered.
From time to time, YAF makes our contributor list of donors available to other organizations to mail.
You should arrive at the JW Marriott (1331 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004) between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3. The conference starts at 6:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the hotel. Parking is not provided so if you plan to drive please plan accordingly. While parking is available from the hotel you can find more affordable options in the vicinity. You will receive more detailed arrival information a day or two before the conference.
Check out is Saturday morning, August 8, at 11:00 a.m. Students are welcome to stay until 11:00 a.m. Saturday, but may also depart following the conclusion of the program Friday evening (approximately 10:00p.m.).
The $500 fee is broken into two components, a $100 tuition fee and a $400 deposit. After attending the full program and following all conference guidelines your $400 deposit will be refunded by check on Saturday morning upon check out. The $100 fee is your final out of pocket cost to attend the program. Almost everything is included, such as your food (three meals per day), 5 nights in a luxury hotel (only two students per room), tuition, materials, and other related costs. While many books may be provided, some are sold at the conference, so you may want extra spending money if you plan to purchase the speakers’ books to be signed. Leave
in your suitcase, as we often give out SWAG!
Yes—travel assistance may be available on a case-by-case basis for those with demonstrable financial need. While travel assistance is never guaranteed, Young America’s Foundation will gladly consider all completed requests.
If you have financial need, please email a brief essay (no more than a page) to travel@yaf.org that includes:
Please note that travel assistance is not guaranteed, and is allocated on a case-by-case basis. Incomplete essays will not be considered. Travel assistance essays are due before the start of the conference, but are issued on a first come, first served basis. If you are not dependent on full financial assistance, we recommend purchasing your ticket as soon as possible to lock in the lowest fare. Travel assistance does not cover ground transportation, baggage fees, seat assignments, etc.
Yes—tuition assistance may be available on a case-by-case basis for those with demonstrable financial need. If you have financial need, please email a brief essay (no more than a page) to Jolie Ballantyne at jballantyne@yaf.org with some language regarding your financial need. We cannot consider your request until we receive this essay.
This is a college student-only program. Students are eligible to attend beginning the summer before their incoming freshman year of college. Newly graduated high school seniors are eligible to apply, but must list the college they will attend in the fall on their application.
During the day, you are required to wear business casual and have the option to wear business formal clothing. During the dinner banquets each evening, you are required to wear business professional attire. You may wish to bring casual clothing for your free time.
This depends on what you do, because some students go out every night while others prefer not to. We advise that you bring some spending money for books that can be signed by the speakers. You will also need about $50 for transportation to and from the airport if you fly. Bring extra money if you anticipate going out frequently. The D.C. area can be more expensive than many other cities.
You should fly to Washington – Reagan National Airport (DCA) because it is closest to the conference site, but you can also arrive at Washington – Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Baltimore Washington International airport (BWI) which are further from the conference site. Taxis are expensive from both airports, so you may wish to use public transportation.
We do not provide students with transportation to and from the airport for this conference, but it is simple to arrive at the hotel via Metro. You can also schedule a Super Shuttle van ride.
Students can arrive at Union Station in Washington, D.C. and take the Metro to the JW Marriott.
During the day, you will listen to exciting conservative speakers and participate in question and answer sessions. Each evening will feature a dinner banquet with a special guest speaker and time for questions and answers. On occasion, you will even have an opportunity to meet and have your picture taken with our speakers!
You will not have much free time in Washington since we provide you with a comprehensive program. You are free in the evenings after dinner (at about 10:00 p.m.) and many students go out and enjoy the town at that time each night. If you wish to have more free time in Washington, you need to come early or stay late. Young America’s Foundation is not able to make these arrangements for you but we can help with the event hotel logistics.
Yes. feel free to call the hotel to make these arrangements, or you can contact Jolie Ballantyne for more information. Young America’s Foundation is only responsible for your accommodations during the specified times (Monday-Friday nights). You may want to arrange for extra time in Washington before or after the conference on your own.
Students will have one or more roommates of the same sex for the week at the hotel. The registration form allows you to request roommates, and we will do our best to accommodate those requests. If you wish to room with two or three roommates, all of you must list one another on your application.
More than 400 full-time students are expected to attend the conference from all over the country, and hundreds of Washington-area interns will also join us for dinner each night.
Yes, the last day to apply is July 31 or when the conference sells out, whichever comes first.
Yes! Your generous tax-deductible gift of $2,500 will allow Young America’s Foundation to host a student at this program who could not otherwise attend. You can designate a specific student you know to attend, or sponsor a student who is receiving free tuition as a result of financial need. For more information about these and other sponsorship opportunities, please contact Young America’s Foundation Development Officer Haley Limo at hlimo@yaf.org or call 800-USA-1776.
Students interested in assistance should apply for travel or tuition assistance. Please see the instructions in the questions above.
You will receive information via email a day or so before the conference about what is on the agenda, and how to arrive at the conference site. For questions that are not covered here, please email Conference Director, Jolie Ballantyne at jballantyne@yaf.org.
A. LIMITED SPACE. I understand that I am applying for a limited amount of space at this conference and that my application is subject to confirmation. I understand that all applications submitted prior to May 5th, 2020 will receive a response on May 5th regarding acceptance. Applicants that apply after May 5th will receive notice within 2 weeks of their application submission. In the event I have not been accepted I will be refunded by a check mailed to the address provided when I registered.
B. FAILURE TO ATTEND. I recognize that my participation in this conference is made possible through the generous financial support of Young America’s Foundation’s supporters nationwide. As such I agree to attend all sessions of the conference. I understand that if I fail to attend all sessions of conference, I will be charged, and I agree to pay, the total cost of my attendance for the conference including the hotel, food, and conference costs, which is $2,500.
C. PLEDGE NOT TO DISRUPT. I assert that I am not here under any false pretense. I will not disrupt or undermine the event by my actions.
D. PROMOTION OF OTHER GROUPS. I understand that Young America’s Foundation has a set procedure in place for outside organizations to attend the event and I am not allowed to promote any other groups or organizations without written permission from Young America’s Foundation.
E. FAILURE TO NOTIFY OF CANCELLATION. Except in case of emergency, I must notify Young America’s Foundation by June 26, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. EST of my inability to attend or I will be charged the supplemental fee of $2,500 since it is too late to give my spot to another student.
F. LATE CANCELLATION. I understand that the conference fee is not refundable if I cancel my participation after June 26, 2020.
G. ROOMMATES. I understand I will be assigned roommates for the conference. I may request preferred roommates of the same sex, but there is a chance I may not be able to room with them.
H. HOTEL RULES/REGULATIONS. I agree to abide by all rules and instructions of Young America’s Foundation and to obey all laws. I agree to notify Young America’s Foundation’s staff immediately if a problem arises during the conference.
I. WAIVER. Young America’s Foundation uses real photos, videos, and quotes from our students for promotional purposes and to advance its mission. By attending this program, I do hereby grant Young America’s Foundation (“the Foundation”) permission to use, exploit, adapt, modify, reproduce, distribute, publicly perform and display, in any form now known or later developed, my image or visual likeness, my name and/or my voice (“Personal Information”) throughout the world, by incorporating it or them into publications, catalogues, brochures, books, magazines, photo exhibits, motion picture films, videotapes, websites, and/or other media (“Works”) or commercial, informational, educational, advertising, fundraising, or promotional materials relating thereto. I waive any right to inspect or approve any Works that may be created using the Personal Information and waive any claim with respect to the eventual use to which the personal information may be applied. The Personal Information may be used at the Foundation’s sole discretion. I understand and agree that the Foundation is and shall be the exclusive owner of all right, title, and interest, including copyright, in the Works, and any commercial, informational, educational, advertising, fundraising, or promotional material containing the Personal Information.
J. ADDED TO EMAIL LIST. I understand that my email address will be added to the YAF email list for notification of future events.
K. OPT IN TO TEXTING SERVICE. By registering, I agree that the phone number I have provided under Cell Phone is my own and that YAF may call and send text messages to this phone number in order to respond to and provide me with information and services related to my request, comments, and questions regarding YAF. Message and data rates may apply. Text Stop to stop.
L. SOCIAL MEDIA/PRIVATE MESSAGING. I understand that the words, statements, and images that I post on social media or send through private forms of communication may reflect on YAF and the Conservative Movement as a whole. I understand that during the conference, YAF is monitoring participants social media posts, including but not limited to, posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Group Me. I understand that by posting, or sending, inappropriate words, statements, or images (as determined by YAF), I may be removed from the conference, in which case I forfeit my registration fee and I will be liable to pay the remainder of the $2,500 program cost.
M. FAILURE TO ABIDE BY TERMS AND CONDITIONS. I understand that if I fail to abide by these terms I will forfeit my registration fee and liable to pay the remainder of the $2,500 program costs.
| YAF is aware of and currently monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, the Foundation is hopeful that we will be able to continue this program as planned. YAF will communicate any changes here and with participants via email. |
Young America's Foundation's signature program is now approaching its 42nd year! The 42nd Annual National Conservative Student Conference will educate and inspire college students with the principles of individual freedom, a free-market economy, a strong national defense, and traditional values.
Students hear from policy leaders, authors, and activists who cover a broad array of topics —just blocks away from the National Mall and our National Monuments, and learn the best ways to stand up for and advance conservative ideas on campus just in time for the start of your fall semester!
THE EXPERIENCE:
THE SPEAKERS: Top leaders of the conservative movement will be posted as they are confirmed.
THE FAQs: Click here to download all the National Conservative Student Conference details.
THE COST: The $500 fee is broken into two components, a $100 tuition fee and a $400 deposit. After attending the full program and following all conference guidelines your $400 deposit will be refunded by check on Saturday morning upon check out. The $100 fee is your final out of pocket cost to attend the program. Almost everything is included, such as your food (three meals per day), 5 nights in a luxury hotel (only two students per room), tuition, materials, and other related costs. While many books may be provided, some are sold at the conference, so you may want extra spending money if you plan to purchase the speakers’ books to be signed.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS: Click here for all the answers to all your questions.
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J.W. Marriott Hotel
1331 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20004
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