Youth Development

FOCUS ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

As we continue to improve access to educational opportunities for the communities we serve, we also focus on honing the leadership skills of our students. With this in mind, we incorporate critical thinking, goal setting and leadership development into all of our programming. We believe that some of the world’s most pressing issues can be solved by youth when given the tools to examine and the space to explore. We also encourage school administrators and teachers to engage with students on a more critical level by collaborating to develop activities that coincide with their established curriculum.

CAMP LEAP

Camp LEAP is a unique 3-day literacy experience for youth ages 6-16.  Camp LEAP’s goals are consistent with global efforts to increase literacy and dramatically impact high school enrollment. Camp LEAP offers a unique blend of reading, writing, empowerment and leadership development activities designed to develop and support students’ imagination across literary genres. The camp encourages youth to challenge themselves through daily workshops. The workshops include poetry, prose, personal narratives and reflections focused on capturing the hopes, dreams and aspirations of students while developing and demonstrating their proficiencies in the areas of reading and writing.  With guidance from LEAP staff and volunteers, participants develop a portfolio of writing exercises from each workshop and learn how to share and receive constructive feedback to improve their writing.  The camp programming also incorporates leadership development and character building workshops that encourage students to explore their leadership potential individually and in teams.