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Youth Climate Summit

The RF Youth Climate Summit is held every two years.

Planning for YCS 2027 starts this August 2026.

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Logo for RF Youth Climate Summit featuring a tree with green leaves, a blue wave, and the text 'RF YOUTH CLIMATE SUMMIT'.
Logo for RF Youth Climate Summit featuring a stylized tree with green leaves, a brown trunk, and blue waves or land at the base.
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In 2018, Residents Forward launched the Youth Climate Summit (YCS), it was the first of its kind on Long Island.

RF’s YCS is a one day event held every other year for 100 local students grades 7-12, emboldening them to think global, act local!

RF’s YCS features a Key Note Speaker followed by morning and afternoon specialty workshops.

The YCS’s Student-led planning committee invest over 7 months of research and planning of the YCS topics and collectively source the YCS Workshop panelists.

The YCS brings peers, professional experts; even a Nobel Peace Prize Winner, and local resources together to explore climate topics in general areas of sustainability in business, food and waste reduction, water issues, and majors and career paths.

The YCS is more than an event, it’s a platform for youth leadership and inter generational collaboration on issues directly impacting Port Washington.

Post-Summit RF mentors the YCS students to develop and implement local climate action projects.

The YCS Student Planning Committee led by Weber Middle School science teacher Kelsey Heyne, resumes in August 2027. To serve on the Youth Climate Summit Planning Committee for the YCS 2027, please email info@pwresidents.org.

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About RF’s Youth Climate Summit

  • In 2018, Residents Forward was proud to pilot the first ever Youth Climate Summit on Long Island. RF has hosted 4 Summits to date - 2018, 2020 (virtual), 2023 & 2025.

    The YCS empowers students with the tools to think globally and act locally to address the climate emergency.

    Organizing an impactful summit takes planning–and we involve students and other community members in the process.

  • Our student-led planning committee selected and developed the content AND secured the speakers for the 2025 Summit’s keynote address and four major workshop themes.

    • Litter’s effect on climate: Investigating the impact of single-use items and strategies to promote waste reduction.

    • Sustaining our drinking water: Conserving the supply and building more resilient infrastructure.

    • Fast fashion and environmental impact: Tackling the fastest-growing component of American landfills.

    • Climate advocacy: Learning skills to influence policy and organize collective action.

  • Your Sponsorship of the 2027 Summit will inspire and equip our youth to tackle climate change right here in Port Washington.

    From record-breaking heatwaves to unprecedented floods, recent events have shown us that the climate crisis is no longer a distant threat—it’s here, at home, and the time to act is now.

    The Summit empowers middle and high school students to lead the way in creating a more sustainable and resilient Port Washington.

    Please complete the form on our sponsorship page to sponsor and support this impactful event!

  • The YCS Student Planning Committee resumes August 2026. The Committee consists of students, community members and RF Board Members and facilitated by Weber Midddle School Teacher Kelsey Heyne.

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Group of five young people standing in front of a backdrop with logos for the PW Youth Climate Summit and Residents Forward, smiling at the camera.