Oneida County Youth in Governance Program

PROGRAM INFORMATION:

The Oneida County Youth in Governance Program offers greater opportunities for youth leadership development and youth empowerment in Oneida County through direct participation in county government decision-making; provides real-life learning opportunities for youth in the functioning of local government; and brings a direct youth voice to community issues and concerns while fostering the development of confident, capable and independent leaders for the next generation.

The Oneida County Youth in Governance Program has four major components:

Youth Development: Helping youth develop the skills they need to succeed in YGP and beyond.
Community Improvement: Offering a unique opportunity for youth to positively contribute to their communities.
Civic Engagement: Allowing youth to engage with and participate in local government in a meaningful, long-term capacity.
Youth Voice: Providing a mechanism for the needs and interests of youth to be heard and understood.

HOW TO APPLY:

Students should apply online by clicking the link below.

APPLY HERE

COST:

There is no cost for students to participate in this program.

WHAT WILL STUDENTS DO?

Student Representatives serve alongside Oneida County Board supervisors as active contributors on a real county committee, attending monthly meetings and participating in at least one full County Board session during their term. Through this experience, students gain firsthand insight into local government decision‑making and the responsibilities of public leadership.

To prepare for their role, Student Representatives take part in a Courthouse Day training and additional in‑person cohort gatherings designed to build confidence, strengthen civic knowledge, and develop leadership skills. During committee and board meetings, students cast a non‑binding advisory vote, ensuring their perspectives help inform county discussions.

Each student representative will be paired with an Oneida County Board Supervisor-Mentor, who will assist them by providing information and resources for them to better understand the governance process and feel confident in sharing their opinions. The supervisor-mentors are there to encourage and promote learning and skill development in areas such as communication, organization, and decision-making, as well as help create a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment for the students in the room.

“It helped me open my eyes to how every decision has a big impact throughout the county.”
— 2025-2026 Student Participant

If you’re curious about how decisions are made in your community – and want adults to take your ideas seriously – this program gives you that chance!

DO I HAVE TO BE AN EXPERT IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE?

No! Students are not expected to come in with a deep understanding of county government. Participants will learn by doing: gaining hands‑on experience, observing real decision‑making, and engaging directly with county leaders.

Throughout the program, students are supported every step of the way. County Board supervisors serve as mentors and UW–Extension provides additional training, resources, and guidance. The goal is to help students build confidence, develop leadership skills, and grow into informed, capable community members — not to start as experts.

SCHEDULE:

Please note that this schedule may change, depending on county staff and Courthouse availability. Student representatives will be notified of the official schedule by Aug. 1.

9 a.m. – Noon Wednesday, Aug. 26: Student Representative Training at the Oneida County Courthouse.
Monday, Sept. 28: LUHS students only. Lunch meeting for Lakeland Union High School student representatives, county board supervisor-mentors, and UW-Extension Oneida County staff. Location: Lakeland Union High School – during student’s lunch period.
Tuesday, Sept. 29: RHS students only. Lunch meeting for Rhinelander High School student representatives, county board supervisor-mentors, and UW-Extension Oneida County staff. Location: Rhinelander High School – during student’s lunch period.
Wednesday, Sept. 30: TLHS students only. Lunch meeting for Three Lakes High School student representatives, county board supervisor-mentors, and UW-Extension Oneida County staff. Location: Three Lakes High School – during student’s lunch period.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1: Homeschool students only. Lunch meeting for homeschool student representatives, county board supervisor-mentors, and UW-Extension Oneida County staff. Location: Oneida County Courthouse in Rhinelander.
7-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1: Cohort training on Zoom – for all student representatives.
October-February: Students will attend their assigned county government committee meeting once per month during this time frame. Students will also attend at least one full county board meeting during this time span (students can choose which month they would like to attend the full county board meeting).
9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2027: Students will receive recognition from the full county board during this meeting. They will also attend and participate in this meeting as student representatives.

PARTICIPATION:

Must be in grades 8-11 at the time of application (public/private/homeschool).
Must be an Oneida County resident;
Must be able to attend one committee government meeting per month. Committee meetings are typically 2 hours long and will occur once a month between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Usually committees start between 8-10 a.m. This means students who attend public or private school will need to leave school to attend a committee meeting. (UW-Extension Oneida County staff will provide students with letters for the school for excused absences).
Attend all student trainings.
Attend at least one full county board between September-January. This means students who attend public or private school will need to leave school to attend a full county board committee meeting. (UW-Extension Oneida County staff will provide students with a letter for the school for excused absences).
Youth representatives are expected to stay up to date on committee business, read necessary material in advance in order to stay engaged in committee meetings, not use cell phones or other devices during meetings (except for accessing meeting documents), wear business/dress casual attire to committee meetings, and adhere to the UW-Extension 4-H Youth Development Code of Conduct at all times.

LENGTH OF TERM:

Youth members will serve a half-year term (August 2026 – February 2027). There are no term limits, but returning members must re-apply.

HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS:

Check with your social studies, history, or civics teacher to see if you can earn independent study credits through participation in this program!

WHAT DO STUDENTS GAIN FROM THIS PROGRAM?

The 2025–2026 Youth in Governance program evaluation showed:
- Students increased their understanding of Oneida County government and local issues.
- Students gained confidence participating in discussions with adults.
- Students strengthened their ability to see issues from multiple perspectives.
- Students also reported a stronger belief that their opinions matter and that they can play a meaningful role in their community.
- In open‑ended responses, students highlighted learning how local government works, understanding the broader impact of decisions, and hearing diverse viewpoints as some of the most valuable parts of the experience.
FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS: Our civil society is strengthened when youth become informed and thoughtful citizens. Young people with skills, knowledge, commitment, and experience can reflect upon the common good, become full members of their communities, and take political action.

WHAT DO COUNTY BOARD SUPERVISORS SAY ABOUT THIS PROGRAM?

The 2025–2026 supervisor‑mentor evaluation showed that County Board supervisors had a very positive experience participating in Youth in Governance. Supervisors reported that students were engaged, inquisitive, and attentive to meeting agendas, and that they grew in their understanding of county government by asking thoughtful questions and offering their perspectives.

Mentors highlighted strong communication and leadership from UW–Extension staff, noted that the mentorship structure helped students navigate complex governmental processes, and all indicated they would participate again in the program.

The experience was excellent. The student representative who I mentored was very interested in learning about our Oneida County’s governance model.
– 2025-2026 County Board Supervisor

TIMELINE OF SELECTION PROCESS:

June 5: Youth Representative Applications Due.
June: Applications Reviewed.
June: Student candidates will be notified.
Before Aug. 1: Students will select the committee he or she is most interested in serving on.
Before Sept. 1: County Board Supervisor-Mentors will be notified.