Submitted article
The Missouri Valley Family YMCA is giving today’s youth a new opportunity to become better leaders for tomorrow. YMCA TEEN LEADERS, a volunteer and civic-focused group for middle and high school students in Bismarck-Mandan, encourages young leaders to foster their full potential in a welcoming and positive environment.
The program will launch with “Teen Leaders Week.” This week-long, hands-on experience partners Y participants with other area organizations, including Junior Achievement, Bismarck-Mandan Student Chamber, and the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library. Students will learn and grow through workshops and discussions on entrepreneurship, school and jobs, politics and government, and much more.
As Teen Leaders continues, the Y will lead the established group through volunteer and civic projects, including community service work, and participating in mock governmental processes. The teens will gain the tools and guidance to express their own civic ideas, create their own community projects, and work alongside area professionals to gain practical experience for college and careers.
“At the Y, we recognize that today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders,” the Y’s senior program director Christy Cameron says. “Giving students the opportunity to learn through experience is a great way for them to develop critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, leadership, and confidence. The depth of the Teen Leaders program is likely to give every participant exposure to things they are interested in as well as things they may not have ever considered. It’s going to be great fun!”
Opportunities for students include learning about our legislative system through the Y’s Youth and Government Program that attends Model Assembly, Model UN, and even the Conference on National Affairs in North Carolina.
Teen Leaders Week
- Bismarck Public Library
- August 5-9
- 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily
- Free and open to all students grades 8 -12
- Space is limited!
To find out how your young leader can learn and grow with YMCA Teen Leaders, call 701-751-9707, email Christy.Cameron@ BismarckYMCA.org, or visit BismarckYMCA.org.