(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Mayor Troy Trulock and the Ready yoUrself For the Future (RUFF) organization will host the first annual “Be Tru & Lock’ed” Young Men’s Conference on July 13-17.

The conference is open to boys who attend Madison City Schools and have completed grades 6-7 this year. Be Tru & Locked will offer “lots of amazing opportunities to experience, such as team building; career fair; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); and life skills,” RUFF founder Anthony Graham said.

Conference hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

With 100-plus members, RUFF focuses on empowering young men to become outstanding leaders and promotes morals, structure and good character to nine- through 18-year-olds. “These young men are given the tools to make informative decisions and to not break under peer pressure,” Graham said.

On July 13, participants will have Team Building Day at Madison City Schools Central Office and recreation at Insanity Complex.

A career day on July 14 will open with continental breakfast at Discovery Middle School before going to J.F. Drake State Technical College. Breakout sessions will demonstrate auto mechanics, nursing and welding. Back at Discovery, sessions will involve college and military recruiters and mock interviews.

Be Tru & Lock’ed delegates will tour several agencies and directorates at Redstone Arsenal on July 15. The day’s focus will be STEM subjects.

At Christmas Charities, the boys will experience a “poverty simulation,” Graham said. The youth will discuss gang awareness, texting and driving, drug awareness and drunk driving.

On July 17, several community personalities, including police officers and businessmen, will meet with RUFF delegates. After a graduation and pinning ceremony, the boys will complete a service project.

Registration fee is $25 and includes a T-shirt, event transportation and lunch. Registration deadline is June 1. Participants can submit packets at Discovery or mail to RUFF, 25836 Melrose Lane, Madison, AL 35756.

“We’re also currently accepting applications for local sponsors, food vendors and speakers,” Graham said.

For more information, call 256-652-1790, email to agraham@madisoncity.k12.al.us or visit ruffleadership.org.