Camps, Conferences, School and Community Programs inspiring Youth to Action
National Leadership Conference Program Outcomes

At AYF, we want participants to have a fun, safe experience in our programs. Through our programs we impact the lives of youth by helping them to achieve the following outcomes:

1.       Best Self - Participants recognize the unique qualities they already possess and take time to further develop their own personal best. They:
      +  Value themselves as unique, capable individuals making self confident decisions that have an impact on their lives.

+  Demonstrate respect for self, others and their environments

+  Approach life with clearly defined goals and take initiative to accomplish these goals.

2.       Balanced Living - Participants have the opportunity to practice balancing the mental, physical, spiritual, and social aspects in a variety of situations. They:

+  Try new activities and challenges that provide opportunities for self development and growth

+  Adapt their thoughts and actions to changing conditions and different perspectives

+  Increase their awareness of the choices they make and how those choices relate to creating a balanced life.

3.       Positive Community Relationships - Participants will develop skills important to creating and maintaining healthy friendships and a positive group culture. They:

+  Actively participate in creating a positive community culture and empower others to build healthy relationships with a wide variety of people and places

+  Work effectively within a group to achieve a common goal

+  Utilize interpersonal skills including trust, cooperation, compromise, and problem solving in their interactions with others

NLC objectives over four years

Upon completion of the four year NLC program, students will:

                +  Be able to facilitate a discussion among their peers

                +  Effectively present in front of a group

                +  Lead a group through a healthy decision-making process

                +  Organize a group to accomplish a task

                +  Expand their ability to take effective roles in groups

                +  Develop relationships among peers who have diverse opinions and backgrounds

            +  Understand avenues and methods available to them to create positive, sustainable change

                +  Be able to create and develop an inclusive community

                +  Internalize values of best self, balanced living, service to community, respect, diversity and sustainable environment

Achievable Skill Sets Throughout 4-Year Curriculum

1^st Year Overview: Learning centers on awareness, understanding and facilitated practice of leadership skills

2^nd Year Overview: Learning centers on reinforcing of 1^st Year lessons and facilitated application of leadership skills

                                                                                        

Skill Set

Understanding social diversity

Effective brainstorming

Decision Making Skills

Consensus Building

Identifying Personal Strengths and Values

Setting SMART Goals

Recognizing Stages of Group Development

Roles One takes in a group

Listening/Empathy Skills

Initiating diverse relationships

Conflict Resolution

Identifying leadership styles

3^rd Year Overview: Learning centers on reflection, connection and refinement while working with others.

Skill Set

Peer Leadership through cabin living

Facilitating Group Discussions

Planning/Carrying out an event

Understand avenues for creating positive change

Giving Feedback

Receiving Feedback

Creating effective group presentation

 4th Year Overview: Learning centers on skill implementation, leadership through service and achieving results through effort and work.

Skill Set

Peer Leadership through cabin living

Planning/Carrying out an event

Establishing an inclusive community

Connect to methods for creating positive change

Using process observation

Tools for self-assessment

Logistical Problem Solving

Delegation Skills

 
Description of the Daily Schedule

Morning Wake-Up Block
There is one hour from rising bell to call to community. This time is used for morning physical activity, showering, eating breakfast, participant check-in, and personal time.

Call to Community and Flag Raising
We start our day as a conference community. International flags are presented and raised.

Quiet Time
The theme of the day is announced, along with a reading or thought for the day. Participants and staff find a spot for quiet reflection. Journal writing is encouraged.

Leadership Skill Development Sessions
The majority of the morning is spent in leadership sessions. Leadership is taught in 1st - 4th year class groups and is focused on the AYF Leadership Curriculum and Learning Objectives.

Interest Groups
Interest groups span a variety of activities including athletics, crafts, dramatics, outdoor skills, environmental studies, social awareness activities and others. Participants sign up for Interest Groups during registration. Interest Groups meet for an hour each day scheduled.

Community Time
Time spent in community groups provides opportunities for fun and team building activities. There may also be friendly competition between communities. Community groups are mixed classes and are as diverse in their make-up as possible.

Free Time
The time during the day for participants to take care of personal needs, sit and talk with new friends, visit the craft house, or play a game of four square, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, or other activities of interest.

Reflections
Reflections based on the day's theme are announced at morning quiet time and incorporated throughout the day during meal breadcrumbs and spiritual insights. The theme is brought to closure during the evening reflection. Reflections are activities for the entire community.

Nights Doings
Nights Doings are fun evening activities. They are meant to be relaxing and allow people to be creative and outgoing!
 

Other Conference Activities

Challenge Course Activities
These activities are directed towards cooperative learning, which foster individual and group development. All 1st year participants will experience the team challenge course. 2nd, 3rd and 4th years will experience either the High Challenge Course or the Climbing Wall. All challenge activities are “Challenge by Choice” and facilitated by trained staff.

Community Service
Miniwanca is a community that we hope participants and staff will call “home." With this comes the responsibility for helping to care for our home. Opportunities are provided for participants and staff to enhance the grounds, facilities, and natural environment of Miniwanca through designated service projects and daily stewardship. Assuming responsibility for one's belongings and surroundings is an important goal at conference. All participants and staff are expected to keep their personal gear neatly stored and their living spaces clean and orderly. In addition, participants are assigned responsibility for the upkeep of certain buildings and areas of conference. Cabins are assigned stewardship assignments. These areas are inspected daily to insure that we maintain high levels of cleanliness.

Civic Action Forums
Speakers and presenters empower and motivate the community to make a positive difference by sharing their story and message about leadership and best self.