Thanks for What You Do!
It’s because of dedicated adult sponsors, willing to give their time and energy, that the Oklahoma Teen Conference is such a positive and impactful experience for youth participants. Thank you for all you do to support youth and the OKSA program. We look forward to seeing you in June for two days of connecting, learning, and fun!
If you have questions or would like more information about the registration process or the conference agenda and activities, please email Liz Brillhart at oksaevents@ou.edu.
Teen Conference Basics
Youth transitioning to adulthood benefit from connecting with others, opportunities to practice important skills, and increasing their hope for the future!
The goal of the Oklahoma Teen Conference is to help youth in Oklahoma foster care get these needs met by creating a space that is safe, supportive, and engaging for both youth and adults.
The Oklahoma Teen Conference is a two-day event funded by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and coordinated by the University of Oklahoma National Resource Center for Youth Services.
Who Should Attend?
Eligible Youth
Oklahoma youth aged 14-18* who are currently in OKDHS or Tribal custody.
Important to Know:
- Youth must be at least 14 by June 9, 2026
- Youth in ICPC status are allowed to attend
* Youth over the age of 18 who are in Voluntary Care will be placed on a waiting list and may only attend if space remains available after registration closes. All such youth are required to have a sponsor.
Adult Sponsors
Child welfare staff, tribal workers, youth workers, foster parents, group home providers, or volunteers who work with eligible youth.
Important to Know:
- An adult sponsor can bring up to three youth; however, limiting it to two youth often allows for the best experience. If you are a first-time sponsor, it is recommended to bring only one youth for the best experience. Adult sponsors must be 21 years or older.
Things to Consider Before Registering
When deciding whether to attend the Oklahoma Teen Conference, it's important to plan for the best experience for each youth participant. Here are some things to talk with young people about before registering for the conference:
Ask if they'd like to attend.
While the conference is full of fun activities and opportunities to hang out with other teens, it's not for everyone. Discuss the event and the types of experiences that will occur, and ask if they'd be interested in going. It's okay if an OKSA eligible youth does not wish to attend.
Ask why they might want to attend.
Find out from the youth what their personal goals are for attending the conference and how you can best support them as their sponsor.
Support readiness for the conference.
The conference will be a safe and supportive space with lots of helpful people around. At the same time, some youth may find the high level of activity and social engagement overwhelming, especially if they have a lot going on.
In addition to asking how the youth feels, use your professional judgment to assess whether this environment is a good fit at this time. Even if a youth expresses interest in attending, they may not be in a place where they can safely and successfully engage in a large group setting with peers. Consider whether the youth is currently able to:
- Participate in group settings without becoming overwhelmed or dysregulated
- Engage with peers in a way that maintains emotional and physical safety for themselves and others
- Utilize coping strategies or accept support when needed
If there are concerns about readiness, it may be appropriate to explore alternative opportunities for engagement and revisit participation in the future.
Develop a plan.
Before coming to the conference, work together to develop a plan to manage stress, check in with each other, and seek support if needed.
What to Bring
It's June in Oklahoma, so dress summer casual! It's important to have a few extra outfits in case you need to change during the day. It's also important to have comfortable shoes for walking across campus and playing games. We will be outside in the summer sun and inside air-conditioned buildings, so bring what you need for both. The pool will be open on the first day, so bring a swimsuit and extra towel too!
Here's a full list of suggested supplies:
2026 Sponsor Guidelines
Sponsors must review and agree to the following guidelines prior to attending the conference:
Sponsors must discuss guidelines with each youth before arriving on campus.
To ensure the safety of all participants, sponsors are responsible for the supervision of the youth they are sponsoring and must ensure youth are always in line-of-sight. The youth to sponsor ratio is a maximum of three-to-one; although one-to-one is recommended for the best experience if you are a first-time sponsor. Adults sponsoring youth of a different gender must identify same-gendered nighttime supervision for their youth.
All sponsors and youth must remain at the event site for the duration of the entire conference and must be active participants in the event and attend all conference activities.
During the conference, sponsors will be responsible for room checks by 11:00 p.m. Tuesday night, and the wakeup call and checkout by 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
Sponsors are responsible for handling all disciplinary, medical, or other situations that arise with the youth they are sponsoring. Sponsors should have all appropriate contact information on hand in case arrangements must be made for the youth to leave the event for medical or behavioral reasons.
Sponsors will serve as role models in both appropriate campus behavior and proper attire. We are guests of the conference site. Please be respectful of university staff, participants from other groups, and each other. Keep the site clean, be mindful of noise levels, and do no harm in words or deeds.
OU is a smoke, drug, and alcohol-free campus; this includes marijuana, even for medical use.
Notify OKSA Supervisors, Robbie Wheet (NRCYS) at (918) 519.4139 or Jennifer Boyer (OKDHS) at (405) 255.5902 immediately of any injuries, unsafe behavior, or emergencies.
Please note that failure to follow the conference guidelines could result in dismissal from the event. A signed copy of the event guidelines must be on file before registration can be completed and your spot secured.
Registration Information
Online Registration begins April 27th and runs through May 27th. Space is limited to the first 250 completed registrations.
One adult sponsor can register up to three youth on the registration form. To complete the form, you will need to know the demographic, contact information, and KK number for each youth. You will also need to know dietary needs, special accommodations, and who the overnight sponsor will be for each youth (if it differs from you).*
Remember that adult sponsors must always stay within sight of their youth and fully engage in all conference activities. Please plan accordingly.
Select the Register Here link on this page to enter all registration details. Once you register, sign a copy of the Teen Conference 2026 Guidelines (found at the bottom of the orientation page), and submit to Amelia Kelly at akelly@ou.edu.
NOTE: Registration is not complete, and your space will not be reserved, until a signed copy of the conference guidelines has been submitted. If you are unable to complete all registration steps prior to June 1, the registration for you and your youth will be cancelled and you will be unable to attend the conference.
* Many sponsors find it helpful to coordinate with other CW Specialists or youth workers prior to registration, to identify and coordinate supervision for overnight needs. Remember overnight staff also have a maximum of 3:1 ratio and must also be registered as participants, and submit a signed copy of the conference guidelines, before your registration will be finalized.
Registration Confirmation and Cancellation
After all steps of the registration have been completed, you will receive a confirmation packet. The packet will contain all the information you need to get prepared for the conference.
Cancellation
We get it. Things happen and plans change. If you need to cancel or change your registration, please notify us immediately so that we can make the changes or allow waitlisted participants an opportunity to attend the conference.
If you have to cancel, please contact Amelia Kelly at akelly@ou.edu.
Register Here!
For any registration questions, please contact oksaevents@ou.edu.