Summer Youth Leadership Summit (SYS)
Building youth power through food justice, advocacy, and community
The Summer Youth Leadership Summit is RIC’s flagship annual gathering - four days of collective learning, cultural exchange, and movement-building. Each year, 100 to 120 youth and 25 to 30 adult allies gather from across the country to deepen organizing skills, share lived experience, and cultivate joy through food, land, and justice.
What to Expect at the Summit
GOALS
Empower youth from historically marginalized communities to lead food and land justice work.
Build advocacy and critical-thinking skills through youth-led workshops.
Strengthen regional and national movement networks.
Inspire action rooted in love, justice, and community care.
Summit Features
Workshops by youth, for youth - organizing, food sovereignty, climate justice and more.
Creative and cultural activities: art, dance, storytelling, healing.
Community meals and joy-centered spaces.
Regional breakouts to support collaboration beyond the summit.
“Being surrounded by other youth fighting for food justice made me feel powerful and seen. I came back home ready to lead.”
- Past Summit Participant
Impact
Participants leave with new tools, deeper confidence, and relationships that last. Youth return home ready to organize, start gardens, and shift local systems. Adult allies leave more equipped to support youth power and leadership. Organizations and educational programs exchange curricula, activities and youth engagement approaches which radiate across the nation.