HIGHLIGHT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
BUILDING TOMORROW'S LEADERS
The focus of Camp Highlight is to build better people. When our campers began to graduate from Camp Highlight, we considered ways we could extend their experience to better develop them as they continue on the path to adulthood. The lessons learned at Camp are critical in pushing our communities and society toward acceptance, compassion, and unity. We married our tradition of encouraging personal growth with instruction in leadership arts. And the Highlight Leadership Academy was born.
The Highlight Leadership Academy is for teens aged 16-18 who come from LGBTQ families. Developed with the understanding that Leadership is a skill and an art, the Academy’s curriculum achieves the perfect balance of learning, group engagement, and fun! Throughout the year, our staff Mentors work to create interactive seminars to help teens build skills in active listening, public speaking, facilitation, and more. While at Leadership Academy, teens engage in these seminars as a small group, which allows them to ask questions and work at their own pace to build on their leadership skills.
As a complement to promoting the concrete skills, our teens also spend time each day exploring their personal motivations, goals, and dreams. Who do they want to be? What do they want from life? What obstacles might keep you from achieving these dreams, and what will you do to overcome them? These group and personal introspective processes are critical in helping teens discover their potential and mold their future!
There is much fun to be had during the week-long Academy! In between seminars, teens take part in recreational camp activities, such as swimming, archery, and art. During free time built into their schedule, they are free to enjoy the campgrounds independently. Teens have special events scheduled that take place off campus. As a group, there are field trips to bowling, laser tag, Hershey Park, and other recreational events.
In a world that changes quickly, young people will need solid skills and a loving community to succeed. Those assets come together at Highlight Leadership Academy.
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The Academy takes place at South Mountain YMCA in Wernersville, Pennsylvania. The dates of this program coincide with Camp Highlight which is August 11 to August 18, 2024. The cost is $1500 per teen. Financial aid is available.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR HIGHLIGHT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY?
A teen between the ages of 16 and 18 Â who has an LGBTQ parent is eligible for the Academy. They do not need to have attended Camp Highlight.
WHAT IS THE REGISTRATION AND APPLICATION PROCESS LIKE?
A parent will register their teen for Highlight Leadership Academy using the Parent Dashboard. At that point, the teen will receive an application form that they must fill out on their own. Space is very limited at the Academy. We use teen’s applications to decide who is admitted to the Academy. Should your teen not be accepted, any fees (including the deposit) paid at registration will be refunded.
DOES HIGHLIGHT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY HAVE ACTIVITIES WITH CAMP HIGHLIGHT?
No. As the teens focus on their curriculum, it is important that their schedule and overall program expectations answer to that. Teens will see their younger counterparts at meals, at some all-camp activities, and potentially during their free time. Otherwise the two programs are entirely separate with completely different schedules and expectations.
WHERE DO TEENS BUNK?
All teens live together in an all-gender cabin with their Mentors.
CAN MY TEEN PUT THE ACADEMY ON THEIR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS?
Yes! Colleges are looking for young people who pay attention to developing their skills as both people and leaders.