About the Teen Summit
The annual Teen Summit is End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin’s largest training, bringing youth, parents, educators, activists, and mentors from all over Wisconsin to learn about healthy relationships, teen dating violence, and sexual assault within a larger anti-oppression framework. We include educational and enthusiastic plenary speakers, youth-led workshops as well as topic-related performances.
We are excited to announce that the 2024 Teen Summit will be from 4/28/24 – 4/30/24 at the Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells!
Safety Note | We will be monitoring COVID-19 outbreaks and variants and make changes as needed. We may require attendees to wear KN95 masks (they will be provided) along with proof of vaccinations status and/or a negative COVID-19 test result that is taken within 48 hours of the event. We will update with final requirements on March 15th, 2024
Keynote Speakers
Sara Mora
Known as @MissSaraMora on social media globally, Sara has become a sought-after voice in the work of immigration/social impact and community empowerment. A college student, influencer, digital media strategist, Sara has dedicated her youth to being a symbol of empowerment and courage in the face of adversity. From the very short age of 10, Sara served as a youth voice at her local church and community organization. In highschool, Sara led conversation around the importance of empowering young students who like her were in need of role models. When she graduated high school she debuted as an activist when interviewing at the time President of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solis(2014-2018) on DACA and questioning external countries role in supporting young people with DACA. In 2018 led a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration and immediately began work alongside the governor of the state. After a year of being President of a national youth movement under women's march she began her work disrupting what was recognized for immigrant communities. She is the youngest advisor at CHISPA a dating app owned by MATCH, the creators of tinder, hinge and much more. She is a content creator who's led in storytelling efforts in partnership with META, L'Oreal Paris, ADOBE, American History Museum and many more. She is on the board of the Reebok human rights award advising to ensure the award reaches immigrant communities. Her work continues. Today she is a college student working to obtain her bachelors in political science and international comparative politics.
Tara Houska is a citizen of Couchiching First Nation, a tribal attorney, land defender, environmental and Indigenous rights advocate, and founder of the Giniw Collective, an Indigenous women, two-spirit-led frontline resistance to defend the sacred and live in balance. Houska was active in resisting the Line 3 oil pipeline, the Dakota Access pipeline, and is heavily involved in the movement to defund fossil fuels. She is a TED speaker, the recipient of the 2021 American Climate Leadership Award and the 2019 Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award. Houska served as an advisor on Native American affairs to Senator Bernie Sanders, and co-founded Not Your Mascots, a non-profit committed to promoting positive representation of Native Americans in the public sphere. She has written for the women-led climate anthology “All We Can Save”, the New York Times, CNN, Vogue, and Indian Country Today. Tara earned a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Arts, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Minnesota.
Valarie Kaur
VALARIE KAUR is a civil rights leader, lawyer, award-winning filmmaker, educator, and founder of the Revolutionary Love Project. Valarie became an activist when a Sikh father and family friend was the first person murdered in hate violence in the aftermath of 9/11. For two decades, in his memory, Valarie has led visionary campaigns to tell untold stories and change policy on issues ranging from hate crimes to digital freedom. Her work ignited a national movement to reclaim love as a force for justice. Today, the Revolutionary Love Project is seeding networked communities of practice across the country to build the beloved community. A daughter of Punjabi Sikh farmers in California, Valarie lifts up her vision for America in her acclaimed TED Talk and #1 LA Times Bestseller See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love. In Fall 2022, President Biden honored Valarie at the White House in the first-ever Uniters Ceremony, naming her as one of 16 leaders whose work is healing America.
Kwnwahta Smith
Kwnwahta Smith (he/him) is a member of the Oneida Nation and of the Kwakwakawakh First Nation. He was born and raised within the Oneida Nation reservation. As a youth, he started being involved in intentional spaces that work on addressing the root causes of gender-based violence and is continuing it to this day. He shows his commitment through this work by being involved in grassroot programs, such Wise Women Gathering Place. Kwnwahta collaborates with the University of Wisconsin Extension program in their youth program spaces. He is part of the planning committee for their annual Youth Partners in Civic Leadership conference. An event that centers around advancing youth voices in Wisconsin. Kwnwahta currently works at End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin as a Youth Program Coordinator and is a liaison for their Dare2Know campaign which rallies around healing and healthy relationships.
In this panel, Kwnwahta will create dialogue that centers around intergenerational indigenous resistance and its intersection with ending gender-based violence. Kwnwahta believes Indigenous resistance is an essential part to Teen Dating Violence and is critical to creating a world of peace and respect. He shares that it is young people who should be at the forefront of these discussions because it is their current lives with current discussions that directly impact them.
Edutainment Crew
D'LocoKid
D’Lo is a queer & trans Tamil-Sri Lankan-American actor/writer/comic and cultural worker. His work ranges from stand-up comedy, solo theater, plays, films, short stories and poetry. His solo shows Ramble-Ations, D’FunQT, D’FaQTo Life and To T, or not To T have toured theaters and festivals nationally, and he is a regular performer/speaker on the college/university circuit as well.
His acting credits include: LOOKING, TRANSPARENT, SENSE 8, Mr. ROBOT and Issa Rae-produced MINIMUM WAGE, QUANTUM LEAP and Billy Eichner's film BROS. Most recently, D’Lo was awarded the Artist Disruptor Fellowship through the Center for Cultural Performance and 5050x2020 an initiative started by Joey Soloway, and he is also a Senior Civic Media Fellow through USC’s Annenberg School of Innovation funded by the MacArthur Foundation.
As a writer he has been published in various anthologies and academic journals, and he is the creator of the “Coming Out, Coming Home” writing workshop series which have taken place with South Asian and/or Immigrant LGBTQ Organizations nationally, which provide a transformative space for workshop participants to write through their personal narratives and share their truths through a public reading.
3-Day Agenda
Due to lack of funding, scholarships will not be available for the 2024 Teen Summit. However, throughout the month of February in honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, we will be offering this special early bird rate through March 15th at 4pm. After March 15th, rates will go up by $50. Youth will be $150 for youth and $200 for adults.
LNU Poetry Workshop is an QTBIPoc Affinity Poetry Workshops. We will Listen too and write and share our own spoken word poetry. No experience needed. Writing Material will be provided.
Through the power of intentional movement, breathing, and speaking we will explore our past and present to find people, places, things, and events for which we are grateful.
“no more mean girls” encourages positive relationships and ending negative behaviors. By being aware of undesirable behavior we can then move forward in a way that shows love, compassion and support.
We'll have an interactive activity that engages conversation based on a fictional story I tell about someone who is a victim of gender-based violence. Come join our heated and very fun discussion.
Explore energy centers within the body that affect our well-being. Using the chakra system as a guide, participants enjoy sound healing and crystals as they bring the mind and body into harmony.
Racism continues generations later: Join us as we reenact how to deal with racism scenarios.
Please select this option if you are a staff or volunteer and we will provide you with room and workshop assignments at a later date.
This workshop is designed to help young leaders discover various strategies to manage & effectively utilize their time, so that they may thrive in their homes, schools and community.
Participants will process the perplexed layers of gentrification in disregarded neighborhoods, while addressing the importance of mental health and individuals embracing their identity/culture.
"A space specifically curated during the conference to provide a haven for participants to further process emotions full of soft music and short meditative activities."
Learn to craft a powerful story for the purpose of advocacy. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a story slam where they can share their stories on the topic of revolutionary acts.
Cheyenne M'Dee weaves storytelling and power pivots for transformative journeys. With 15 years in psychotherapy, she breaks barriers, sharing her survivor story, inspiring growth.
Discover the Hidden Realities of Social Media in 'The Lies We Are Told' Workshop! Dive into the fascinating, yet startling history of social media, and uncover the manipulative tactics often hidden behind your favorite apps. This dynamic workshop is designed specifically for teens and young adults, offering eye-opening insights and empowering strategies to take control of your digital life. Learn how to critically assess social media's impact on your self-perception and daily routines, breaking free from its deceptive allure. Join us for an engaging, enlightening journey to reclaim your authenticity and self-esteem in the digital age!
Relive your inner child: Put your responsibilities aside and heal your inner selves by playing childhood games, do arts and crafts, and many other activities that allows your inner-child to shine.
This workshop provides awareness on how to love yourself mentally, emotionally, & physically. Activities and group discussion will be included in this safe space where you can open up.
This workshop will help teens to explore their natural talents and discover how they can use their natural talents to start and grow a business. You have to be passionate about your business.
Journaling allows for you to write down what you want without judgement. This discussion will analyze how journaling helps with mental health and why it’s a good tool.
We will explore the possibilities of being bold and outspoken about your boundaries. The interactive conversation for teens, to see themselves as worthy and honest to live a whole healthy life.
An experimental simulation using a learning tool designed for young people to learn about teen dating violence.
Write things weighing on them, put papers in a bucket. Pass one out to everyone to read, speak as a group, thoughts & feelings. It’s anonymous, but shining light on burdens teen youth deal with.
Embark on a transformative journey with our 'Adult Leader Only Networking and Professional Development' session, exclusively designed for adult leaders working with youth. This pivotal event emphasizes 'Train the Trainer' methodologies, equipping you with advanced skills to effectively mentor and guide the younger generation. It's an ideal platform for peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, where you can exchange insights, strategies, and experiences with fellow educators, mentors, and youth workers. Dive into interactive workshops, insightful discussions, and collaborative learning opportunities, all focused on enhancing your ability to inspire and engage young minds. Join us to expand your professional network, gain invaluable tools, and contribute to a community dedicated to fostering positive youth development.
Lodging & Reservations
We are strongly encouraging attendees to reserve their room as soon as possible. This year's conference will be held at the Kalahari Resort . The address is 1305 Kalahari Dr, Baraboo, WI 53913.
NOTE ABOUT LODGING WEBSITE: The Kalahari system is set up to only make one reservation at a time, unfortunately. Even when/if you call in, the call center agent will have to make each reservation individually one at a time, exactly the same method an attendee would online.
Book Hotel Online:http://bit.ly/TS24RoomBlock
Call-in Reservations - Dial 877-525-2427 and reserve a room for the 2024 Teen Summit room block when talking to an associate.
