The Stanislaus County Office of Education’s Tobacco Use Prevention Education Program, Stanislaus County Health Services Agency’s Tobacco Prevention Program, and Leading to Change are partnering to host the 15^th Annual PHASTjv (Protecting Health and Slamming Tobacco Junior Varsity) Youth council Boot Tobacco Camp Training on Tuesday, September 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Martin Petersen Event Center (720 12th Street Modesto).

About 240 junior high and middle school students and their advisors from across Stanislaus County will learn leadership skills, the dangers of vaping both nicotine and marijuana, how to create public service announcements, how to manage their mind and emotions, as well as use their youth voice to make positive changes in their community. They will do this all while having fun and making new friends. This year’s theme is “15 Years of Youth Inspiring Youth…Better Together Since 2009”. The event keynote will be Susan Thomas, a dynamic motivational speaker who will engage and challenge attendees to be a transformative leader and strive to become the best version of themselves.

The twenty-two participating schools are Blaker-Kinser Junior High, Cesar Chavez Junior High, Creekside Middle School, Denair Middle School, Dutcher Middle School, Glick Middle School, Great Valley Academy, Hanshaw Junior High, Mae Hensley Junior High, Mark Twain Junior High, Open Valley Independent Study, Prescott Junior High, Riverbank Language Academy, Roosevelt Junior High, Salida Middle School, Savage Middle School, Somerset Middle School, Spratling Middle School, Tuolumne Elementary, Turlock Junior High, Ustach Middle School, Waterford Junior High.