California Youth Leadership Council Resources
The National History Day California Youth Leadership Council aims to strengthen students' passion for history across California by providing opportunities to develop research, critical thinking, and analysis skills through the National History Day competition.
What is NHD?
Watch the video.
Check out our
Workshops.
Virtual sessions held by NHD-CA YLC that aid new participants along their project from start to finish.
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> 1,500
Students participated in NHD-CA 2025
90%
Of participants have a greater interest in history because of NHD
248
Schools in California have participants in NHD
83%
Of students recommend that others participate in NHD.
Statistics from nhdca.org.
1. Find your local competition
If your school's curriculum or a school club offers NHD, contact your teacher or nhd club advisor about how to register. Your project will pass through the school level before advancing to local contests. If your school does not offer NHD, register through your county.
To begin your NHD registration, find your county's website at https://www.nhdca.org/county-contests/.
If you cannot find your county, contact the NHD-CA organizers— Whitney Olson and Craig Irish— at nhdca@scoe.net.
Deadlines
Specific dates and deadlines vary from county to county, with competitions being held from late-January to mid-March. Check your county's website or with your county organizer to find your deadlines.
Historical Papers do not compete in county contests and instead are submitted directly to CA State Finals. Schools may submit up to 3 papers. More information to the left.
- Deadline: February 12, 2026.
View a full example calendar in the Key Dates section.
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The top three projects in each category and age division for the county competition will advance to the California State Finals.
2. Register for CA State Finals
Please note that only county competition champions may compete in NHD-CA State Finals.
The champions of county competitions across California are eligible to participate in the NHD-CA State Finals on Friday, May 1st - Sunday, May 3rd.
The competition will be held at Sacramento State University
(6000 Jed Smith Street, Sacramento, CA 95826)
