4-H Spectacular Youth Leadership Institute
Nov. 20-22, 2026
Ralph A MacMullen Center
104 Conservation Dr.
Roscommon, MI 48653
About the Spectacular Youth Leadership Institute:
The Michigan 4-H Spectacular Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI) is a lively celebration of the power of young people as leaders! Participants in this exciting, energetic, interactive Institute will participate in small and large group sessions to share and develop valuable knowledge and skills related to youth leadership, community engagement, and global citizenship. The 2026 event will include a special focus on leadership. The Institute is open to current and aspiring teen leaders ages 13 and older (by Jan. 1, 2027, who seek to develop skills to serve in leadership roles in clubs, schools, communities, the state and the world. Attending the 2026 SYLI will help teens become outstanding leaders who approach life with their head, heart and hands open to new ideas, interesting people, and diverse cultures and perspectives.
The objectives of the SYLI are for participants to:
- Develop skills and knowledge as youth leaders and global citizens
- Provide teens with tools to start a citizenship, leadership and service projects in their community (or build on and enhance existing programs and activities)
- Meet and share ideas with other teens, adult leaders, and MSU staff
- Have fun!!
Additional details:
The registration fee ($150.00) for the SYLI at the RAM center includes meals, snacks, group transportation and overnight hotel lodging for the evenings of November 20 and 21 at the Ralph A MacMullan conference center, 104 Conservation Dr., Roscommon, Michigan, 48653. Youth participants may request roommates, and will be assigned to a room shared with other youth following MSU Extensions Overnight Housing Policies (each participant will have their own private bed).
All youth who participate will have a MSU Extension staff member or an adult volunteer who has successfully completed the MSU Extension Volunteer Selection Process and achieved Gold Level status assigned as their chaperone for the event.
On-site check-in for participants attending the SYLI will be held from 5-6 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2026, at the RAM center. Participants will be guided by staff and adult volunteers to meals and various on campus locations throughout the event.
The SYLI will conclude on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 1:30 p.m. Arrangements should be made by parents/guardians to pick up youth participants from Brody Hall by no later than 2:00 p.m.
Tentative Schedule overview
- Friday, November 20
- 5 - 6 p.m.: Registration and Informal Networking/Icebreakers
- 6 - 6:30 p.m.: Institute Opening Session - Full group activities and icebreakers
- 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.: Dinner at cafeteria
- 7:30 - 8 p.m.: Keynote Speaker
- 8 - 10 p.m.: Full group fun event (dress to go outside)
- 10:30 p.m.: Curfew
- Saturday, November 21
- 7:30- 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
- 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Break out session 1
- 10:15-11:15 a.m. Break out session 2
- 11:30-12:30 - Lunch
- 12:30 -2:30 - Full group work
- 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Afternoon break, snacks, walk or games
- 3:30-4:30 Break out session 3
- 4:45-5:45 Break out session 4
- 6 - 7 p.m. Dinner
- 7 - 8:30 p.m.: Full group activity
- 8:30 p.m.: Free time, bonfire and snacks
- 10:30 p.m.: Curfew
- Sunday, November 22
- 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
- 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. Breakout session 5
- 10:00 - 11:00 Breakout Session 6
- 11:15 - 12:15 Full Group Closing
- 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.: Lunch
- 1:30-2 p.m. Participant pickup and departure
Registration Fee $150.00 (includes program materials, meals, and overnight accommodations
How to Register:
To register for the Institute, use the links below.
In addition to registering for the SYLI, youth must also be registered in 4-HOnline by Nov. 6, 2026, in order to participate in this event. To complete your registration in 4-HOnline, please go to https://v2.4honline.com/. Step-by-step instructions for registering participants in 4-HOnline are available at 4-H Online 2.0 Family Guide.
Youth who register for the Institute but do complete their enrollment in 4-HOnline by Nov. 6, 2026, will have their registrations cancelled and may be subject to cancellation fees.
Persons canceling after Nov. 6, 2026, will be charged a cancellation fee of $150.00.
Registration for 4-H Spectacular Youth Leadership Institute is open.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on November 9, 2026.
There are 96 openings available.
Registration for 4-H Spectacular Youth Leadership Institute is open.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on November 10, 2026.
Youth may only register here if they have been given approval from Roxanne Turner at turnerr@msu.edu. If you have turned in a proposal and have not heard if it was accepted, please register as a regular participant and we will update it to the discounted rate if you are accepted.
Registration for 4-H Spectacular Youth Leadership Institute is open.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on November 9, 2026.
Accommodations
Reasonable modifications/accommodations for program access, including alternative formats formaterials, and auxiliary aids for effective communication will be provided to participants at no cost. Requests may be submitted by filling out the box below or by emailing the event contact using the email address provided on the event registration and/or confirmation page at least two weeks prior to the event. Requests received less than two weeks prior to the event date will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and provided when reasonable.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact Roxanne Turner, MSU Extension Educator, at 517-546-3950 or turnerr@msu.edu or Janelle Stewart, MSU Extension Educator, at 517-264-5307 or stewa191@msu.edu.