Civics Summit 2026

The Santa Cruz County Youth Civics Summit returns in February 2026!

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education, in partnership with the County Clerk’s Office, Cabrillo College, and United Way, is bringing back the Civics Summit for the 2025/26 school year! 

Open to 11th graders across the county, the Summit will be a day of learning and empowerment designed to provide students with a hands-on learning experience that will help prepare them to become informed and active participants in democracy. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with state and local elected officials, take part in a mock election, and participate in three breakout session workshops that will focus on the vote counting process, media literacy, and how they can become civically engaged and make an impact in their communities. 

The Summit will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Cabrillo College. This year’s theme is Your Voice. Your Vote. Your Future.

If you are interested in signing up your schools for this amazing event, please contact Student Leadership and Engagement Coordinator, Andres Ortiz at anortiz@santacruzcoe.org or 831-466-5713.