QCYC INFO

The Quad Cities Youth Conference will be held February 23 & 24, 2027!

2027 Conference Schedule

9:00: Welcome

9:10-10:10: Keynote

10:15-10:55: Workshop 1 (40 minutes)

11:00-11:15: Brain Breaks (15 minutes)

11:20-12:00: Workshop 2 (40 minutes)

12:05-1:35: Lunch & Resource Fair (45 minutes each session)

2027 Keynote Presenter

Tom Akers

“Ready! Set! You want me to do what? All the world is a stage, and we are mere actors in it”

A fast-paced, interactive improvisational acting experience where the students, teachers, and whoever else is in the room will learn to use the skills taught during improvisational acting to not only survive, but to thrive in your day-to-day interactions with others at home, in the classroom, or in the line at the coffee shop! An interactive experience, so be prepared to join in, laugh, and learn how to make your day, and the days of those around you, AMAZING!

KEYNOTE PRESENTER: Tom Ackers
Tom Akers retired (sort of) from education in June of 2024, before that he served 16 years as the superintendent of Cambridge Schools. Since his retirement he has worked as a Special Education teacher in a Behavior Disorder Program, an alternative school teacher for at risk students, and is currently teaching English at the Quad City Christian School. Tom served on the Cambridge Fire Department for 16 years and has served on the Cambridge Ambulance Service for 16 years. He is an author of over seven books and fourteen plays which have been either read or performed from California to Virginia and as far away as Italy. Tom also acts professionally in the Quad Cities area.Tom lives with his wife Kelly in Cambridge, Illinois. He has four children and a cat named Crystal who works as his editor. He enjoys reading and doing whatever seem fun at the moment!

Quad Cities Youth Conference 2026 Workshops

  1. #ICAN

    Presenter: B. Farris, Keynote Presenter

  2. “Becoming BodyKind and Social Media”

    Presenter: Stephanie Burrough, QC Eating Disorders Consortium

  3. “Are You Ready to Roll the Dice? Topic Gambling”

    Presenters: Jason Otten and Kennon Neal, Center for Alcohol Drug Services, Inc., Unity Point Health

  4. “Pathways”

    Topic: Careers

    Presenter: Lt. Zach Soliz, Davenport Fire Department

  5. “Fighting Fake Freedom”

    Topic: Hardships

    Presenters: Rodney Tatum, Central High School – Davenport Community Schools, Juvenile Court School Liaison

  6. “Financial Bingo”

    Presenter: Jason Bauer, DuTrac Community Credit Union

  7. “Love Shouldn’t Hurt”

    Presenter: Luekinna Hodges, Kinna’s House of Love

  8. “Paws for Positivity”

    Presenter: Angie Hall, Legacy Therapy Dogs

  9. “Stressed Out!!!!”

    Presenter: Jessica Byczynski, Bethany for Children and Families

  10. “Identity – The Fear Not Experience”

    Presenter: Master Douglas Fuechsel

  11. “Skills for Real Friendships!”

    Presenter: Kimberly Kim, Bethany for Children and Families

  12. “Traffic Stop Behavior”

    Presenter: Trooper Jason Wilson, Illinois State Police

  13. “Social Media and the Teenage Brains”

    Presenter: Youth Service Bureau

  14. “Do Better, Be Better: Showing Tolerance & Kindness”

    Presenters: Rock Island High School Drama Club

  15. “Next Gen Men”

    Presenter: Carlos H. Jimenez, M. Ed, Prevention Services Manager, Martin Luther King Center

    Note: *** Young Men Only

  16. “Yes” is the Floor, Let’s Reach the Ceiling

    Topic: Real Relationships

    Presenter: Kimberly Q. Kim, Bethany for Children and Families