Free Contra Costa youth summit at Los Medanos College, grades 6 to 12

Contra Costa County's District 5 office is running a free, day-long youth summit at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, open to any student in grades 6 through 12. It runs 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., every attendee has to register individually, and parents are invited to come along.

One thing to settle before building a weekend around it. The county's notice gives the date as Saturday, Sept. 29. Sept. 29 falls on a Tuesday this year, and the Spanish version of the same notice lists Saturday, Sept. 19. Confirm the date on the registration page before you plan around it.

For a lot of families the draw is the community service credit. Students earn eight hours for attending, granted after they email proof of registration and attendance following the event.

The day comes in three parts. Three keynote speakers take on empathy, belonging, resilience and leadership. Ten interactive workshops cover college and career readiness, money skills, technology and artificial intelligence, wellness, life skills and future leadership. About 30 youth resource partners table with information on educational pathways, training opportunities, programs and services.

In the middle, from 12:20 to 1:50 p.m., is a 90-minute block the county calls the Youth Innovation Fest: free lunch plus hands-on activities, technology, games, creative work and time to meet people. Elsewhere on the schedule there is a live DJ, music and dancing, cultural and youth performances, games, giveaways and event swag.

The raffle is not a token one. Expected prizes include premium wireless earbuds, a Nintendo Switch 2, an iPad Air with Apple Pencil, an electric bike, an electric scooter and Visa gift cards.

Los Medanos College is at 2700 E. Leland Road in Pittsburg. Questions go to the office of Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston at (925) 608-4200 or BOS5@bos.cccounty.us.