But an elegant dinner Tuesday night at Trump International Hotel featuring Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, Donald Trump Jr. and Turning Point USA’s 24-year-old founder, Charlie Kirk, revealed that more than anything, this week is a chance for the teenagers to reject the stereotype that their generation is exclusively liberal and to finally be themselves, “Make America Great Again” hats and all.

“You are the only real rebels left in this country,” Mr. Trump said, to thunderous applause.

For some, the conference is an opportunity to swap stories about the struggle to express their conservative opinions at school. Jarrett Wiggonton, an 18-year-old from Virginia, said that at a recent pep rally, his and his friends’ Trump signs and paraphernalia were confiscated by teachers.

“This is the first time I’ve been with many young conservatives, because it’s a pretty unpopular opinion with people my age,” he said, as a boy next to him tried to redo his bow tie using a huge mirror.

Students paid $15 to attend the conference, lodging included, after being selected through an application process. The dinner was an additional $50 — all in all, a sweet deal to meet their political idols or other like-minded youths.

“We all just met and we’re like best bros now!” said Megan Scott, 17, of Marlborough, Mass., pulling Mr. Juersivich and Khaliq Rodriquez, a 16-year-old from New York, into a tight hug.