Winters Youth Day was founded in 1933 by Reverend Charles P. Barkman and Dr. A.M. Herron (high school principal) to teach young people about the aspects of city government. Each year the young people of Winters take over the city's elected offices. After a week of hands-on experience with their city counterparts, everyone is honored with the annual Youth Day Parade and a day full of fun. Despite being canceled due to World War II and COVID-19, the Youth Day tradition has always returned strong and proud. Youth Day occurs in Winters, California (click for map) every year on the last Saturday of April. It’s a celebration for youth of all ages. Proceeds from the annual event go towards leadership scholarships for deserving Winters High School seniors.
In 2024, the Winters Youth Day committee launched a revamped version of the original youth civic engagement program where Youth City Council members and Royalty learned about how the local government makes change and how city staff work to keep the city working. In partnership with the City of Winters and the Winters Joint Unified School District staff, the inaugural Youth Civic Engaement Day at City Hall was a success.
Winters Youth Day strives to empower local youth to engage with local government officials and the local media to experience how those roles impact how the city functions. Youth get hands-on experience in planning the annual Youth Day events working with the Youth Day Committee, local organizations, and school leadership groups.
The Winters Youth Day Committee is an all-volunteer organization that works directly with the Winters Joint Unified School District, City of Winters staff, and other local organizations to ensure the annual event is put on for the community and to provide youth with an opportunity to learn about the role and impact of local government.
With the money raised, we provide the community and neighboring cities with the annual Youth Day event to celebrate youth and give youth the chance to experience local government happenings and gain hands-on experience.
Civic Engagement Experience: Funds provide transportation and supplies to provide hands-on experiences through the annual Youth Civic Engagement Days at Winters City Hall and the Winters Joint Unified School District. Students shadow their local elected official counterparts or staff members to learn how the roles impact the function of the city.
Media and Marketing experience: The Youth Day Royal Court works with the local newspaper and other media outlets to promote the event. They get hands-on training in marketing and are empowered to set goals and to take action to achieve them. Following the educational session, students run a Youth City Council and Youth Board of Trustees meeting where they discuss and approve agenda items based on local issues suggested by their peers. Following the youth meetings, students will attend the Winters City Council of Winters JUSD Board of Trustees meeting to present the approved items.
Scholarships: Funds raised support leadership scholarships for students graduating from Winters High School and the Wolfskill Career Readiness Academy.
Volunteers: The Winters Youth Day Committee relies on volunteers to help chair different aspects of the Youth Day experience including organizing activities, coordinating with government officials, serving as parade marshals, and more. Please contact our organization if you would like to learn more about how to volunteer.
Organization name
Winters Youth Day
2019
Tax id (EIN)
84-3721883
Mission Category
Youth Development
Operating Budget
$0-$50,000
Organization Need
Funding: Other, Volunteers
Local Counties Served
Yolo
Address
PO BOX 652Winters, CA, US, 95694
Yolo County, CA, US