This document summarizes a program run by the Southwest Initiative Foundation and Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center that provides experiential education around energy issues to youth. The program aims to increase knowledge of energy topics, engage youth in their communities, build career awareness in clean energy, improve leadership skills, and create more sustainable communities. In the 2008-2009 school year, teams from 12 communities participated in the Youth Energy Summit program. Over 120 youth and 16 coaches took part, working on energy action projects that conserved energy, generated renewable energy, and reduced climate change emissions while interacting with thousands of community members and over 50 organizations.

1. A program of :
Southwest Initiative Foundation &
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center

2. Experiential Education!
Hands-on experiential
education to address
energy opportunities
and issues, build
teams, and create
dynamic leaders for
our future.
Putting energy
into our future…
literally!

3. Key Objectives
 Increase knowledge about opportunities & issues
related to energy sources, renewable energy,
climate change and conservation
 Engage youth in their communities and empower
then to take positive action
 Build young people’s awareness of career and
economic opportunities in the clean energy
industry
 Improve leadership and community-building skills
 Create more energy-sustainable communities

4. 2008-2009 Teams
• Atwater-Cosmos- • Springfield
Grove City • Willmar
• Canby • Yellow Medicine East
• Glencoe-Silver Lake
• Lac qui Parle Valley
• Marshall
• Montevideo
• Morris
• New London-Spicer
• Redwood Valley

5. YES Outcomes
• Increasing knowledge…
– 120+ youth and 16+ coaches in 12
communities taking part
• Engaging youth in communities…
– Working with other students
in their schools
– Interacting with thousands of
community members
– Over 50 businesses/organizations
working with energy action projects
• Students making a difference…
– conserving energy, generating clean
and renewable energy, reducing
climate change emissions
Putting energy into our future…literally!

6. Questions? Contact…
Anne Dybsetter, PWELC
anne.dybsetter@co.kandiyohi.mn.us
320.354.5894
Cheryl Glaeser, SWIF
cherylg@swifoundation.org
320.583.3847
Thank you!