For over 50 years, students from across the country have been convening in the mountains of North Carolina each summer to debate national and international issues and form friendships that will last a lifetime. 

The YMCA Conference on National Affairs (CONA) is a five-day conference that allows students who participated in Youth in Government to experience a new level of debate and a sense of camaraderie and statehood.

Approximately 35 delegates are selected each year to represent Minnesota and Wisconsin at this premiere leadership conference. If selected, students are expected to attend several delegation meetings and a weekend retreat at YMCA Camp Ihduhapi before the group’s departure.

CONA Highlights

  • Research an issue of interest to you, propose a solution, and discuss and debate your proposal with 600 students from other states
  • Gain new perspectives on important national and international issues
  • Travel with a group of students from Minnesota and Wisconsin to spend five days in scenic North Carolina

Please reach out to Minnesota and Wisconsin CONA Trip Director, Brittany Wilson, at brittany.wilson@ymcamn.org with any questions.