Youth Leadership Douglas County (YLDC) is a three-year high school program beginning in the tenth grade. The first year is an eight-month program for high school sophomores which focuses on learning leadership skills. On the first Wednesday of each month, students actively participate in seminars and activities that engage and educate them about the community and their place in it. Each month’s day-long session explores a different aspect of leadership in our community with an eye toward building interest in local issues. By learning about the community, students will develop their leadership potential through active participation in ropes courses, law enforcement training activities, interviewing with various media personnel and visiting with local legislators and county commissioners. Each session offers an interactive opportunity for personal exploration and growth around such topics as working together as a team, getting in front of the TV camera, how to handle credit and even how a bit of improvisational skill can come in handy. The classes run September through May. The organizers of YLDC strongly believe that no one person can lead alone. Therefore, we start the year out at the Outer Edge Performance Challenge Course where we teach students about working together to establish a foundation of teamwork and they learn about the theme of the YLDC class, I’ve Got Your Back. School attendance on these days is excused, but students are responsible for any school work missed.
The second year of the program involves mentoring the next year’s class. As juniors, the students are responsible for planning one of the eight sessions for the incoming tenth grade class. Students also continue to meet on the second Wednesday of the month for half day leadership sessions. In addition, students have multiple opportunities to engage in community presentations to leadership bodies and government entities.
The third year of the program is a chance for students to give back to their community. Through service learning the students help plan the Youth Congress in conjunction with the Youth Initiative, and they are invited to serve as student liaisons to various boards throughout the county.
Because many local businesses, governmental agencies, and organizations like the Douglas County Educational Foundation, the Douglas County Youth Initiative, and Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce believe in the power of the opportunity they have agreed to help sponsor the program. Therefore, there the cost to parents or students is vastly reduced.
Next Steps...
First, please fill out the application and submit it to the Youth Leadership Douglas County Program at:
Youth Leadership Douglas County
558 Castle Pines Parkway, Unit B4, #364
Castle Rock, CO 80108
Letters of reference should be sent to the same address.
Questions?
Call us: 303.660.3749
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