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LEAD COLORADO

Teen Leadership Program

The YMCA of Northern Colorado, CU Boulder and the Boulder Valley, St. Vrain Valley and Thompson School Districts have developed a free program to provide selected local high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with foundational leadership skills. We believe there are many promising local students with great leadership potential who may benefit from additional training and development of their skills. Utilizing the existing resources in our community, this program will give participants significant leadership education and experience. We will provide tools needed to navigate situations that one is likely to face through a continued leadership journey via roles of increasing responsibility and impact.

Through hands-on projects, intrapersonal and interpersonal exploration and mentoring from community leaders, Lead Colorado helps young leaders form self-awareness about their personal mission and values. While completing capstone projects, participants will give back to the community and show their leadership capabilities. Lead Colorado will work to develop purposeful, ethical leaders who are equipped to have a significant impact in our community.

Program Details

Each fall, a cohort of high school sophomores and juniors will start the 18-month program with a weekend retreat and continuing with monthly meetings. Our retreat will be at YMCA Camp Santa Maria on Aug 20-22, 2021. At the retreat, each student will learn more about their personal leadership style as well as participate in team building and other activities to create a cohesive team amongst the selected students. Attendance to this retreat is mandatory for participation in the program.

Roughly each month from September of 2021 through November of 2022, students in the Lead Colorado Program will attend a two-hour session in the evening where they will be exposed to a very specific leadership lesson from someone who is an expert in that area. Students will be expected to complete the pre-work that is assigned prior to each session so that they are prepared to fully participate and absorb the concepts that are being presented. After the presentation there will be group discussion and/or debate around the topic matter.

The program will conclude with a presentation by each participant about their leadership journey. Attendance to these sessions is mandatory to remain in good standing with the Lead Colorado Program.

Participation Criteria

Lead Colorado participants must plan on attending all scheduled meetings.
Applicants must be sophomores or juniors in high school during the 2021/2022 school year in our service area.
Participants will present a synthesis of their learning and how it relates to their respective communities.

Characteristics of Lead Colorado Students

Have potential for leadership or demonstrated leadership in either school or the community.
Have the commitment to consume and understand the material given and participate in the discussion effectively.
Are open-minded, tolerant of divergent perspectives and opinions.
Can balance commitment to the program and their academic studies.
Engender the positive character, spirit and values of their school and your school community.
Are comfortable interacting with a broad and diverse group of individuals and willing to actively participate.
Will look at the curriculum, collateral material, meeting dates and verify that they can attend and will fully participate.
Once a student is nominated, they will be asked to answer three essay questions to help Lead Colorado organizers get to know participants.

LEAD COLORADO APPLICATION

This application is a required component of the selection process for the Lead Colorado Program. Applications are due July 30, 2021.

Name

School

Phone

Parent/Guardian Name

Parent/Guardian Phone

Parent/Guardian Email

All Lead Colorado applicants must provide one reference. Please direct your reference to this form.
Reference Form

Please answer the following three questions. Limit each response to 250 words or less.

1. Discuss a fictional or real leader that you respect. Which of their traits do you respect and wish to emulate?

2. What do you view as your strongest character quality or trait, and how do you utilize it within your daily actions?

3. What do you hope to gain by participating in the Lead Colorado Program?

By submitting my application, I agree to the following Lead Colorado requirements. Please read and check all boxes.

If selected…

I commit to attend all required monthly meetings throughout the school year, and understand that absences may result in me being dismissed from the program.

If selected…

I commit to attend the two weekend retreats. I understand that attendance at both retreats are mandatory, and absences are not permitted.

If selected…

I understand that I will be expected to participate fully and contribute to the monthly meetings including the completion of any pre-session work.

If selected…

I understand that I will be required to complete a culminating presentation by the Fall of 2022.

If selected…

I understand that transportation to all monthly meetings will be my responsibility.

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Chris Coker, CEO/President
YMCA of Northern Colorado
303-443-4474 x1100
chris.coker@ymcanoco.org

Teresa Roalson
YMCA of Northern Colorado
303-443-4474 x1100
teresa.roalson@ymcanoco.org

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