Kate Korbas, UNH Extension Program Team Leader - 4-H Youth Development and Education
Build confidence. Explore careers. Have fun doing it.
The Grit to Grow Summit is a high‑energy, hands‑on event for New Hampshire teens who are thinking about what comes next after high school. This event is designed by the UNH Extension Grit to Grow Collaborative, in partnership with the Governor’s Task Force on Bring Back the Trades.
Teens will connect directly with industry leaders, educators, and peers to explore career pathways, build real‑world skills, and speak up about what they want and need from future employers.
Through dynamic workshops, facilitated listening sessions, and a Career & Education Expo, participants will gain the tools and confidence to start writing their own roadmap forward.
Along the way, teens will enjoy the natural beauty of summer in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, with lakeside social time along Lake Winnipesaukee at the Resort at Mill Falls. All two‑day Summit participants will also enjoy an exclusive chartered dinner cruise aboard the historic M/S Mount Washington.
Grit to Grow is about more than learning about jobs.
Teens will leave with:
- Clearer direction and greater confidence in talking about their future
- Real connections they can follow up with
- The knowledge that there is more than one “right” path forward
- Reassurance that they don’t have to figure it all out alone
When: June 22-23, 2026
Where: Lakes Region Community College (Laconia, NH) and the campus of the Resort at Mill Falls (Meredith, NH)
Who can attend: Students currently enrolled in grades 9-12 (you don’t need to be a 4-H member to attend! All are welcome.)
Registration deadline: May 15, 2026
Scholarships are available. Please contact Jill Ketchen at jillian.ketchen@unh.edu for financial assistance. All inquiries are confidential.
Cost:
- Two‑Day Experience (all meals and overnight accommodation included): $375
- Can’t make the overnight? Join us for a condensed, one-day experience on June 23rd: $60
Explore the Different Ways to Participate
(Click the button that is right for you)
Teen Experience
Day 1: Build Your Future Self (for overnight experience attendees)
Monday, June 22
Lakes Region Community College, Laconia, NH
Overnight at the Resort at Mill Falls, Meredith, NH
Teens registered for the two‑day overnight experience will arrive at Lakes Region Community College between 9:15 and 9:45 a.m. 4‑H staff and volunteers will be on site to assist with check‑in, luggage storage, and workshop selection.
From 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., participants will attend up to four 45‑minute workshops focused on questions teens are actively asking about work, money, identity, and decision‑making. Sessions are led by award‑winning podcasters, young professional leaders, trades advocates, educators, and 4‑H youth development specialists. A 45‑minute lunch break will take place in the LRCC cafeteria, with breaks built in between sessions.
At 3 p.m., teens will board buses to the Resort at Mill Falls in Meredith, which serves as the Summit campus for the remainder of the experience. Upon arrival, participants will meet their chaperones and be assigned rooms in the Chase or Palmer Inn buildings along Lake Winnipesaukee. Teens are always supervised by trained and experienced 4‑H staff and volunteers.
The evening kicks off with a private two‑hour dinner cruise aboard the historic M/S Mount Washington. Participants will enjoy a buffet dinner, time together on the lake, and a memorable start to the Summit.
After returning to shore, the group will gather for lakeside s’mores and games, with a movie option available for those who prefer a quieter evening. Lights are out at 11 p.m. to prepare for an active second day.
Day 2: Build Your Career (One-day option)
Tuesday, June 23
Conference Center at Church Landing (Resort at Mill Falls) in Meredith, NH
Day 2 will help teens move from “Maybe I’m not sure what’s next?” to “I see real options, and I know my next step.”
Overnight participants will check out of their hotel rooms, store luggage, and enjoy breakfast from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. After a morning engagement activity with 4-H’s STEM team, we’ll walk to Church Landing together. Programming begins at 9 a.m. with a welcome from community and industry leaders from the New Hampshire Grit to Grow Collaborative. One-day participants will meet us at Church Landing at 9 a.m.
Throughout the morning, teens will engage in small‑group sessions with professionals from across the state. These interactive conversations go beyond career awareness and focus on building real connections and understanding how different education and career pathways work in practice.
Morning sessions are organized into industry‑specific tracks so participants can choose to explore areas that spark their interests. Sample tracks include:
- Bringing Back the Trades: automotive, plumbing, welding, electrical, and more
- Helping Professions: mental and social health careers
- Civic Engagement with a Paycheck: government, public policy, and law
- Hospitality
- Agriculture
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing and Engineering
Lunch will be served from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Palmer Inn, offering time to refuel, network, and connect with peers.
In the afternoon, teens are invited to take part in facilitated sessions led by NH Listens and Summit partners that will center and amplify the youth voice. Participants can share their perspectives on workforce barriers and what they need to succeed, while industry and community leaders listen and learn from their future workforce. These sessions will help build communication, leadership, and self‑advocacy skills while informing industries of upcoming needs in a state that anticipates tremendous opportunity across sectors in the next ten years.
The Summit concludes with the Future Pathways Expo, where teens can meet directly with colleges, training programs, employers, and community organizations. Parents are encouraged to attend the Expo, making it easier for families to learn together, ask questions, and discuss next steps.
For two‑day participants, luggage retrieval and pickup will take place between 4:30 and 5 p.m. at the Chase House. One-day participants will depart at their leisure from the Future Pathways Expo.
When and where does the summit take place?
The summit takes place in person on June 22 and 23 at Lakes Region Community College in Laconia, NH, with overnight accommodation, workshops, and expo on the Campus of the Resort at Mill Falls in Meredith, NH. Families will receive full schedule, maps, arrival, and check-in details prior to the event.
Will adults be supervising youth?
Yes. Youth are always supervised by UNH Extension staff and trained and screened volunteers.
Is there a cost to attend?
There is a registration fee (Two Day Experience: $375, One Day Experience: $60); however, scholarships are widely available, and cost should never be a barrier to participation. Please contact Jill Ketchen at jillian.ketchen@unh.edu for scholarship details. Full and partial scholarships may be available. Applying does not affect acceptance, and all requests are confidential.
What does the registration fee cover?
The fee includes all summit programming, materials, and meals or snacks. Overnight participants also receive hotel accommodation and a dinner cruise aboard the M/S Mount Washington (chartered exclusively for Grit to Grow!).
How does this event support future education or career decisions?
The summit helps teens understand career pathways, what employers value, and how education and training connect to next steps after high school. There will also be opportunities to learn about “adulting,” paying for an education, and what financial considerations can be made now to set them up for long-term success. This will also introduce teens to the idea of networking, allowing them time to introduce themselves to industry leaders and experts, and establish meaningful connections.
Who is this event for?
The summit is designed for youth in grades 9–12, including 4-H members and non-members, college-bound students, and youth exploring workforce or trade pathways.
Does my child need to know what career they want already?
No. The summit is designed for youth who are unsure about their future plans and want to explore options.
What if my child is shy or unsure about participating?
Activities support different comfort levels, and youth are never required to participate beyond their comfort. Staff are available to support any emergent concerns or needs throughout the event.
Can my child attend with friends or as part of a group?
Yes. Youth are encouraged to attend with peers, clubs, schools, or youth organizations.
Does my child have to be a 4-H member to attend?
No. The summit is open to all eligible youth.
Who will be on the Mount Washington Cruise?
All overnight Grit to Grow attendees, chaperones, and staff will be in attendance. The cruise is not open to the public. Alcohol will not be served on this cruise.
What types of careers or industries will be represented?
Sessions may include skilled trades, healthcare, agriculture, environmental careers, business, technology, entrepreneurship, and more.
What should my child bring?
Comfortable clothing and shoes, a water bottle, and readiness to participate. A packing list will be shared prior to the event, along with specific information about the venues and hotel rooms.
Can my child drive themselves to Grit to Grow and between venues?
Yes, there will be information provided for this option along with necessary waivers prior to the event.
Is food provided, and are dietary needs accommodated?
Meals and snacks will be provided. Dietary restrictions and allergies can be noted during registration.
Industry & Community Partner Experience
The UNH Extension Grit to Grow Collaborative, in partnership with the Governor’s Task Force on Bring Back the Trades, invites New Hampshire’s Industry and Community Leaders to a 2-day hands-on event designed to help build and grow the future workforce of New Hampshire. Current business and education professionals will have the opportunity to engage with NH teens and their parents, showcasing career opportunities while hearing the needs of their future employees and students.
Whether you choose to participate in our 2-day Current and Future Leaders of Industry Experience or our 1-day Career & Education Expo, your organization has the opportunity to strengthen the talent pipeline by fostering early relationships and helping shape a responsive, prepared, and motivated next generation.
Overview:
Industry and community leaders face ongoing challenges in understanding the evolving needs, interests, and concerns of the next-generation workforce. The Grit to Grow Summit offers these leaders a powerful opportunity to engage directly with teens who are actively exploring their future pathways, providing firsthand insight into what motivates and guides young people today. By participating in this collaborative, supported, multiday experience, leaders connect with emerging talent while also gaining a deeper understanding of the academic and career questions that shape youths’ decisions. Through workshop sessions with participants and exposure to their perspectives, industry and community partners strengthen their ability to anticipate workforce needs, support education to career pipelines, and contribute meaningfully to building New Hampshire’s future workforce.
The What, When, & Where:
Tuesday, June 23rd Inn at Mill Falls 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
This day strengthens connections between youth and the professional workforce through interactive panels, skill-based workshops, and employer led sessions designed to highlight the traits and competencies of a “Beyond Ready” employee. Industry and education partners receive practical, firsthand insight into the emerging workforce—what motivates them, how they make career decisions, and what support they need to enter and thrive in New Hampshire’s industries.
The Career and Education Expo opens at 3:00 p.m., providing an additional structured opportunity for professionals to engage with teens exploring “future pathways.” Exhibitors from industry and education sectors can directly showcase career trajectories, early work experiences, and resource networks that help young people understand and prepare for workforce entry.
Evening Networking Event for Industry and Community Partners 6:30–7:30 p.m.: A dedicated networking session for Grit to Grow Collaborative members and leaders from industry, education, and government. This event provides an open forum for professionals
to learn about the Collaborative’s mission, build cross sector partnerships, and strengthen connections with New Hampshire businesses and potential community partners working to support the state’s talent pipeline.
Wednesday, June 24 Inn at Mill Falls 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
The 3rd day of the Summit is structured as a traditional job fair enhanced with targeted professional development opportunities for business, education, and community leaders. In addition to a career fair open to the public, the day features workshops and expert panels focused on workforce development strategies, youth employability policies, and evidence-based approaches to strengthening alignment between education and industry. The day will specifically include:
· A dedicated forum for leaders in industry, education, and government to examine the challenges of recruiting and retaining a skilled, work ready talent pipeline
· Focused learning sessions for industry professionals on effectively engaging young people within their organizations—including practical strategies for onboarding, early exposure, and meaningful access points for teen talent.
· A Career & Education Expo for community members (18+) featuring current job openings, education and training pathways, and opportunities for deeper community and employer engagement.
The How:
Industry, Education, and Civic Leaders have multiple ways to participate at the Summit:
· Facilitate and Share- Professionals have the opportunity to facilitate sessions, creating high-touch learning experiences with teens that highlight opportunities within their organizations that will help them develop their path and the resources available to them. In addition, facilitators will have the option of sharing their organizations' opportunities during the 2-day Career and Education Expo.
Registration Cost- $100 per person for 2-days without vendor space, includes evening Collaborative Cocktail reception; vendor space packages released early February. *Vendor spaces are discounted with full 2-day registration.
· Engage & Share- Not up for facilitating but want to have an opportunity to connect with future workforce members more intentionally? The Summit will include sessions where professionals will have the opportunity to engage and
learn alongside teens as workshops are designed to help align the needs of today's workplaces with the needs of future workforce members. In addition, these participants will have the option of sharing their organizations' opportunities during the 2-day Career and Education Expo.
Registration Cost- $150 per person for 2-days without vendor space, includes evening Collaborative Cocktail reception; vendor space packages released early February. *Vendor spaces are discounted with full 2-day registration.
· Table Share- The Summit will include a 2-day Career and Education Expo giving teens, parents, and community members at large an opportunity to learn about career opportunities, educational pathways, and community resources. The 2nd day (June 23) will be open to Summit Teen participants and their parents while the 3rd day (June 24) will be open to the public, providing employers and community organizations have an opportunity to share current employment needs as well as education and community institutions as a space to share resources and paths to future careers.
Registration- Vendor space packages/options will be released in early February and will be prioritized by vendors looking to be a vendor on both days of the Expo experience.
Industry & Community Partner Registration
As we continue to build the best experience for all our Summit participants from Industry, Education, and Community, we appreciate your input as we strive to meet your needs and those of your future workforce.
Please complete the Summit Interest survey so we can connect with you to assist you with the next registration steps!
