The USPC National Youth Congress was established in 1998 in order to recognize outstanding older Pony Club members from all over the country and to bring them together for a series of workshops and discussions intended to expand their awareness of themselves and of the rapidly changing external world into which they will soon graduate.

The Congress provides opportunities for youth delegates to think about their own strengths and weaknesses and to examine ways to overcome obstacles that may face them in the future.  It enables them to share ideas with their peers from around the country through group discussions, role simulations, and other interactive activities, thus expanding their awareness of the "wider world" around them.

Each year several USPC alumni are inducted into the Alumni Academy of Achievement, and join the delegates during the 3 day Congress.  The alumni honorees play a vital role in the National Youth Congress because they bring the voice of experience into the discussions.  The listen, encourage, laugh, and commiserate with the young people, and share personal stories of success and failure, helping the youth delegates to recognize that life is filled with the unexpected and that flexibility and a sense of humor can be as important as excellent goals and plans.