Prevention: Leadership Institute
Information for Students & Parents
Applying to Attend The Institute
High school students interested in attending The Second Mile Leadership Institute as members of their school's team should contact their school counseling or administrative office. High schools nominate five students, usually sophomores, for team participation. Pennsylvanian high school staff needing more information about the Institute should see Information for Schools in this section.
Information for Parents of Attending Students - FAQ
What is the Leadership Institute? The Second Mile Leadership Institute is unique in its approach to youth leadership development. Through formalized training and year-round supervised support, we can channel the energy, talents, and resources of young people to assume leadership roles in their communities. We seek a representative and diverse cross section of high school students to participate on teams at our annual four-day conference.
The conference is dedicated to promoting youth voice and building a set of leadership competencies for the long term. Through a curriculum that supports skill building and community service; young people can leave with the potential to work for harmony within their high schools and to be involved citizens in their communities.
What will my child be doing at the conference? Students will be exposed to a variety of experiential and lecture-based seminars conducted by Penn State faculty, Second Mile staff and board members, and numerous business and community leaders. These seminars will focus on the tenets of leadership and working as a team. Your student’s team will then be charged with creating, planning, and implementing a leadership project that will focus on a current school or community need.
Where is the Institute and how is it supervised? The Leadership Institute will occur Sunday, March 21 – Wednesday, March 24,2010, at The Ramada Inn & Conference Center in State College, Pennsylvania. During the curricular day, your school’s faculty advisor and Second Mile staff will supervise your student. During the evening hours, in addition to the availability of those who provide daytime supervision, we have hired a staff of collegiate chaperones from our very own Challenge Program. All chaperones have attended our mandatory two-day training and have a current criminal record check. Chaperones are on duty all evening hours to meet the students’ needs.
What will my child need to bring to the conference? The Second Mile and our donors underwrite the expense of the conference for each team in attendance. Your student’s room, meals, and conference materials are supplied. Each student will receive a packing list closer to the Institute, but upon reviewing that list, students will find that the needs are no different from that of a typical school day or school trip. In regards to spending money, teams will be offered the opportunity to tour Penn State’s campus and eat dinner out on Tuesday evening. Students should discuss these options with their faculty advisor.
Why should my child attend The Leadership Institute? Attending The Leadership Institute will enhance your student’s communication skills, self-confidence, and leadership abilities. The Institute provides students an opportunity to become a leader and contributor to their schools and communities. Past students have gone on to create projects that are still vital in their school today. In addition to the enhanced personal development, many students use Leadership Institute participation and completed projects to fulfill graduation and class requirements regarding service-learning projects and to distinguish themselves to colleges and employers as offering a unique skill set. 
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