2025 March High School Conference at the Reagan Ranch

The conference fee of $125 includes three nights in a hotel, conference materials, transportation during the program, and meals from Wednesday dinner through Saturday lunch.

Any student currently enrolled in high school is eligible to attend this program.

You should arrive during the afternoon on Wednesday, March 19. Conference registration begins at 3:00 p.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. Luggage storage will be available for early arrivals.

The conference ends Saturday, March 22, at 4:30 p.m., and students should depart from the Reagan Ranch Center (217 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101). Shuttles to the airport will operate starting at 3:30 p.m. that day. FULL TIME attendance is required, and flights requiring a departure prior to 3:30 p.m. are not allowed. We recommend flights depart on Saturday night after 4:30 p.m.

If the only returning flight would leave your student in an airport overnight for a layover, we are able to provide hotel accommodations on Saturday night at a subsidized rate of $75 per student and shuttle students to the airport on Sunday. There are a limited number of extended-stay rooms available. To reserve a room, call Madison Habersetzer at 805-957-1980 by February 28. Do not book a flight on Sunday before confirming room availability.

YAF will provide hotel accommodations at a local Santa Barbara hotel for students on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights.  Students will have one or two roommates of the same sex, and students may request a roommate on their application. We will do our best to accommodate roommate requests, and students will receive their roommate assignment at hotel check-in.

Students are not allowed in rooms of other students of the opposite sex, even if related.

Travel scholarships may be available on a case-by-case basis for those with demonstrable financial need. While travel scholarships are never guaranteed, Young America’s Foundation will gladly consider all completed requests. Apply for a travel scholarship here: https://forms.gle/QfyaqMDYiWDFJwyc8

Travel scholarship requests are due prior to the event. Please note, travel assistance is not guaranteed and does not cover ground transportation, baggage fees, seat assignments, travel insurance. etc. Flights must allow for full-time attendance to be eligible for reimbursement.

If you have any questions regarding your travel scholarship submission, please email [email protected].

Tuition assistance may be available on a case-by-case basis for those with financial need.  If you have financial need, please email a brief essay explaining what you hope to gain from the conference and your financial need to Madison Habersetzer at [email protected].  We cannot consider your request until we receive this essay.

Check out a sample conference agenda here.

Yes! While students pay only $125, cost of attendance is valued at more than $2,500 per student. Your generous tax-deductible gift will allow Young America’s Foundation to host a student at this program who could not otherwise attend.  You can designate a specific student you know to attend or sponsor a student who is receiving free tuition because of financial need.  For more information about these and other sponsorship opportunities, please contact Madison Habersetzer at [email protected] or call 805-957-1980.

If you can no longer attend for any reason, please email [email protected] with your name and indicate for which conference you need to cancel. If you cancel prior to February 28, 2025, you will receive a full refund.

If you continue to receive correspondence about this conference after cancelling, please forward your original cancellation email to [email protected].

You should fly to Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), if possible, or you can arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and take a 2-hour bus ride to Santa Barbara through the Santa Barbara Airbus (Please visit www.sbairbus.com for more information). Another option is to fly to Burbank Airport (BUR) and take the Amtrak train to Santa Barbara, but this option will add several hours to your trip. Please note that granted travel assistance does not cover both flight and train costs if you fly into LAX or BUR.

Due to limited staffing, Young America’s Foundation staff cannot chaperone unaccompanied minors traveling by airplane or train.

Students arriving at Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) will be picked up by a Young America’s Foundation staff member (with a sign) at the baggage claim area and will be taken in a shuttle to the conference venue.  The specific times of these shuttles will be determined once students submit their travel information a couple weeks prior to the conference. Shuttles will run on Wednesday afternoon, Saturday evening, and early Sunday morning.

Only students arriving at Santa Barbara Airport will be transported by Young America’s Foundation, and we will not be able to accommodate you if you arrive or depart outside the conference schedule times.

Shuttles are only guaranteed for students registered to attend the program. Due to limited staffing and vehicles, parents and chaperones should arrange their own transportation to and from the airport, if applicable.

Yes, Greyhound has buses to downtown Santa Barbara, but they are not within walking distance of the Reagan Ranch Center or the hotels.  You can take a taxi or Uber to the Reagan Ranch Center from the bus stop.  Please visit www.greyhound.com for more information.

If you are arriving via the Santa Barbara Airbus, YAF can offer a pickup from the stop at La Cumbre Plaza. Please visit www.sbairbus.com for more information.

Yes, Amtrak runs trains through Santa Barbara on its Pacific Surfliner route, which spans from San Diego to San Luis Obispo.  The train station is located across the parking lot from the Reagan Ranch Center.  Please visit https://www.amtrak.com/pacific-surfliner-train for more information on this option.

Due to limited staffing, Young America’s Foundation staff cannot sign for and chaperone unaccompanied minors traveling by train.

Yes, students will be supervised by YAF staff members who will chaperone and stay in the same hotels for the duration of the event.  Students are expected to behave appropriately or will be sent home at their parents’ expense.  Parents and students must sign a liability waiver and responsibility pledge via DocuSign prior to the event. Even if a student is 18, they are still expected to abide by all rules and curfew.

Because the event is only four days long, there is minimal free time. Students will have approximately a 2-hour break before dinner on Thursday and Friday, but they must stay on hotel property, unless chaperoned by YAF staff. If you wish to tour Santa Barbara, please make your own plans to arrive early or to extend your stay in Santa Barbara. Young America’s Foundation only covers your hotel room on Wednesday through Friday nights, and you will check out on Saturday morning before the sessions.

Parents are invited to the opening student dinner banquet on Wednesday evening and to the Roundtable Luncheon held on Friday afternoon.  Space is limited for both events, and further details and information about how to RSVP will be emailed to students and parents about two weeks preceding the conference.

Wednesday night will feature the opening banquet, which parents are invited to attend.  Thursday features a trip to and tour of the Reagan Ranch for students, speakers and question-and-answer sessions, and a dinner banquet in the evening. Friday will feature more speakers and question-and-answer sessions separated by a luncheon and an evening dinner banquet.  Saturday features more speakers and question-and-answer sessions in the morning and afternoon. Students will receive a detailed agenda via email prior to the conference.

Wednesday dinner – professional

Thursday daytime – casual

Thursday dinner – professional

Friday daytime – business casual

Friday dinner – professional

Saturday daytime – business casual

Professional means a suit for the gentlemen and a suit, dress, or skirt for the ladies. Jeans, shorts, leggings, dresses with cutouts, baseball caps, and t-shirts are not acceptable attire.

Business casual means slacks, polo or button-up shirts, sweaters, etc.  Jeans, shorts, leggings, clothes with cutouts, baseball caps, and t-shirts are not acceptable attire.

Dress for the trip to the Reagan Ranch is casual, but respectful.  Please pack layered clothes and bring a jacket as weather can be unpredictable on the mountain.  Jeans are acceptable if there are no holes or tears. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. Leggings, sweatpants, and clothes with holes are not allowed.

I am registering for myself, or on behalf of my minor child or ward (hereafter “child”), to attend a Young America’s Foundation’s (YAF) private event. I understand and agree that, as an express condition of participation and/or attendance in YAF’s event, I intend to be legally bound and will abide by the following terms & conditions.

A. Terms of Registration. All attendees must register themselves or their child and any guests they may be registering for using the real and true name for all parties and may be asked to present valid identification to verify the identity of the registrant and their guests. I understand and acknowledge that any actions intended to disrupt or undermine this YAF event will result in my or my child’s immediate ejection from the event. Disruptive activity includes, without limitation and in YAF’s sole determination, posting or sending inappropriate words, statements, or images, through social media or by and between event attendees. YAF reserves the right to pursue all appropriate civil & criminal remedies against disruptive attendees. Attendees removed for disruptive activity forfeit any registration fees and will be required to reimburse YAF at applicable actual costs of their attendance within ten (10) business days.

B. Acceptance & Attendance.

a. I understand that this event may have a limited amount of space and that my application may be subject to confirmation. I understand that all applications submitted prior to December 1, 2024, will receive a response on December 1, 2024, regarding acceptance. Applicants that apply after December 1, 2024, will receive notice within two (2) weeks of their application submission. I understand that in the event I have not been accepted I will be refunded via my original payment method.

b. Participation in this YAF event is made possible through the generous financial support of YAF’s supporters nationwide. As such, I or my child agree to attend all sessions of the March High School Conference. I understand that if I or my child fail to attend the entirety of YAF’s event without good cause, I agree to refund YAF the actual cost of attendance for the event, including hotel, food, transportation, and other costs incurred.

c. Acceptance and participation in this YAF event include reviewing and understanding the terms and conditions of YAF’s Responsibility Pledge, the terms of which are incorporated by reference. I understand that violation of the Responsibility Pledge may result in my removal or the removal of my child from the event, forfeiture of registration fees, and applicable reimbursement due to YAF.

C. Cancellation. Except in case of emergency, if accepted to attend YAF’s event, I must notify YAF by February 28, 2025, of my or my child’s inability to attend or I may be charged $2,500 since it is too late to give my reserved space to another participant. I understand that the conference fee is not refundable if I cancel my participation after February 28, 2025.

D. Policy Focused Event. YAF’s event is intended solely for the promotion of conservative ideas, in accordance with YAF’s tax exempt mission. No political activity, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service, is permitted at YAF’s event. No candidate stickers, pins, t-shirts, or other materials may be worn, displayed, or otherwise visible by members of the audience. I understand that attendees will not promote any other groups or organizations without express written permission from YAF.

E. Roommates & Lodging. If applicable, I understand that I or my child may be assigned roommates for the conference. A preferred roommate of the same sex may be requested, but YAF is not obligated to honor that request. I agree to notify YAF staff immediately if a problem with a roommate arises during the event. I or my child further agree to abide by all applicable hotel rules, as well as any rules or instructions from YAF staff as deemed necessary, in YAF’s sole determination, during any overnight event stay

F. Consideration. In consideration for participation in this event or program, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is acknowledged, I agree to release and forever discharge YAF, its officers, employees, and assigns from all manner of actions, legal causes of action, claims and demands for or by reason of any damage, loss, or injury to person and property which has been or may be sustained as a result of my own or my child’s participation in this event or program.

G. Liability Release. I am fully aware that there are risks, foreseeable and unforeseeable, related to me or my child or ward attending this event or program, ranging from normal risks associated with any stay away from home, such as physical injury from a slip and fall or accident, food poisoning or allergic reactions, loss or damage to personal property, fires, disasters, terrorism or other incidents of violence, contraction of illness such as the flu, COVID-19, or legionnaire’s disease, which could result in a serious medical condition requiring treatment in a hospital or could possibly lead to death.  For my own benefit or on behalf of my child or ward, our heirs, successors, and assigns, I knowingly and freely assume all such risks, both known and unknown, relating to participation in this event or program and I hereby forever release, waive, relinquish, and discharge YAF, its officers, employees, and assigns from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, rights, damages, expenses, and causes of action of whatever kind or nature, and other losses of any kind, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, and I further promise not to sue YAF for any personal injury, disability, property damage or theft, or death which may result from participation in this program. These terms and conditions shall be construed under Tennessee law and should be interpreted by any court of competent jurisdiction to provide a release and waiver to the maximum extent permissible.

H. Assumption of Risk. I assume all risks and hazards incidental to participation in the above mentioned function, including transportation to and from such activities, and do hereby release and waive all claims against YAF, its directors, officers, staff, employees, volunteers, representatives, agents, and speakers whether they be foreseen or unforeseen at the time this waiver is signed. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS MY SOLE RESPONSIBILITY TO AVOID EXPOSING MYSELF OR MY CHILD TO FOODS THAT WE MAY BE ALLERGIC TO AND TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS RELATING TO POTENTIAL ALLERGIES, INCLUDING HAVING ANY MEDICATION SUCH AS AN EPINEPHRINE PEN (“EPIPEN”) ON MY OR MY CHILD’S PERSON AT ALL TIMES AND NOTIFYING YOUNG AMERICA’S FOUNDATION STAFF OF CONCERNS. I understand that YAF makes no promises or guarantees that an accommodation will be made for my or my child’s allergy, even after notifying YAF of said allergy. As such, I recognize that if I or my child consumes food or beverage at a YAF event, I assume the risk.

I. Emergency Medical Treatment Consent/ Property Damage. I grant permission for emergency medical treatment to be performed upon me or my child in case of sickness or injury and have indicated any special medical needs or allergies in the space provided below. All expenses incident to hospital care shall be my responsibility. I also accept responsibility for any property damage to the program facilities that I or my child may cause.

J. Data Usage. By sharing your information with YAF, you agree that we may use your information to contact you about this event and other activities, such as educational materials or opportunities to attend future events, as disclosed to you at the point of collection, or in any other manner that advances our educational purposes. This includes, without limitation, adding your e-mail address to receive YAF emails and receipt of telephone calls and text messages to your cell phone. You affirm that the cell phone number provided at registration is your own or that of your minor child, and that YAF may call and/or send text messages to this phone number to provide information regarding your application or registration for this event, as well as future YAF events and programming. You understand that message and data rates may apply to any such messages. We may share or transfer your information with our affiliates and any other organizations or entities for similar purposes.

K. Severability. If any provision of this waiver is held to be invalid or unenforceable that provision will be eliminated or limited to the minimum extent possible, and the remainder of the waiver will have full force and effect.

L. Understanding and Acceptance. By including my name on this form and allowing my child to participate in this Program, I confirm that I understand and have had a full opportunity to review these terms and conditions. I have had the opportunity to have these terms and conditions reviewed by a legal counsel of my choosing. In the event of any dispute between the Parties regarding any ambiguity or inconsistency in this terms and conditions, the adjudicating body will use a neutral construction not favouring either Party. I understand and agree that these terms and conditions constitute the full entire agreement between myself and YAF and supersede any prior oral or written understanding or agreement. No modifications, alterations, or amendments may be made to the terms and conditions unless done in writing and agreed to by both parties. I accept these terms freely, I declare my intention to bound by the terms, and I acknowledge it shall be construed broadly to provide a full release and waiver to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law.

M. Consent and Release for Use of Likeness. YAF uses real photos, videos, and quotes from students for promotional purposes. By attending this YAF event on your own behalf or on behalf of your child, you irrevocably consent and authorize YAF and its affiliates, employees, related companies, and contractors, to record, film, photograph, broadcast, or otherwise capture during the event and related events your likeness, image, voice, or any other indicia of identity in any media whatsoever and to distribute, use, broadcast, or disseminate into perpetuity such media for any purpose whatsoever without any further approval from you or any compensation of any kind to you. The images in all media will constitute YAF’s sole property, and YAF will have the right to use your likeness, image, voice, or other indicia of identity, including, but not limited to, the right to produce, publicly perform, transmit, exhibit, publicly display, print, reproduce, televise, broadcast, transfer, modify, distribute, create derivative works of, and otherwise use for any lawful purpose, in whole or in part, in any location throughout the world through any means or medium or format without limitation, any Subject Matter, all without prior inspection or further consent or approval by the undersigned of the finished product(s) or of such use, together with irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide and royalty-free rights, title and interest in and to any and all results and proceeds from any such use.

N. Exclusive Broadcast Rights. You further agree that you will not record, reproduce, or transmit from the place of performance, in any manner or by any means whatsoever, any portion of, or the entirety of, any YAF event in the absence of the specific written permission of YAF. YAF retains the exclusive copyright to all materials that may be distributed at the event, unless otherwise noted, and all video or audio recordings of all YAF events.