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Opportunities for Young Leaders

The American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) is a bipartisan, non-profit educational exchange organization dedicated to fostering relations between the next generation of political leaders in the United States and their counterparts around the world.

Boys State / Nation
American Legion Boys State is among the most respected educational programs of government instruction for high school students. Each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local, county and state government. Boys State has been a program of The American Legion since 1935. At American Legion Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical with city, county and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices. Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs. High school juniors are selected by local American Legion Posts to attend the program.  

College to Congress
College to Congress (C2C) creates pathways for high-achieving, low-income college juniors, seniors, and recent graduates to intern in Congress who otherwise could not afford to do so. C2C does this by covering all costs associated with a congressional internship in D.C including travel, housing, meals, a professional wardrobe, and other various needs. In addition, the organization runs a bipartisan allies program to foster relationships across the aisle and helps alumni of the program secure their first job post graduation and kick start their careers in public service. 

Congressional Award
The Congressional Award is a public partnership created by Congress to promote and recognize achievement, initiative, and service in America's youth. The Congressional Award provides a unique opportunity for young people to set and achieve personally challenging goals that build character and foster community service, personal development, and citizenship.

Congressional Youth Leadership Council
The Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC) offers dynamic experiential education programs that focus on leadership development and inspire high-achieving young people from around the world to achieve their full potential.   CYLC’s young leaders meet with high-ranking government officials, members of Congress, diplomats, media figures and more - all while partaking in a diverse curriculum and interactive signature simulations. Students gain unprecedented behind-the-scenes access, briefings and events - all of which contribute to the rarest academic experience of a lifetime.  Offers Middle School and High School programs.

ConservativeJobs.com
Opportunities for Conservatives: Jobs ~ Internships ~ Fellowships

DCInternships.org
The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) offers the ultimate D.C. experience with five institutes, competitive internships, classes at Georgetown University, and furnished apartment in Washington, DC.  TFAS sponsors Institutes that teach college students about the principles and values upon which the United States was founded.

Girls Nation
The first American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation was held August 9-14, 1947, with 82 girls and 41 states represented and has been going strong ever since! In order to attend this unique "hands on" Federal Government training session, one must first have attended a Girls State session and been selected by that state to represent them at Girls Nation. The Girls Nation "senators" are divided into two political "parties". The parties do not reflect the two major political parties in today's system, but allow citizens to gain a special knowledge of how the system works.

Junior Statesmen Summer School
The Junior Statesmen Summer School is for 9th-11th graders who have passionate interests on politics and current events. This is an opportunity to interact with a diverse group of students and learn and practice leadership skills. Programs are in various sessions and locations during the summer including the campuses of Georgetown, Yale, Stanford, and Northwestern. Students will be enrolled in AP courses, participate in student debates and attend speaker programs. There are tuition and fees for all programs.

LeadAmerica
LeadAmerica's CSLC programs are college accredited career-focused leadership conferences for high school students. Each focuses on a particular field of study and gives students the opportunity to learn about the subject, meet practitioners in the field, and explore career possibilities. In the National Leadership Summit (NLS), Washington, DC is your classroom as you explore the heart of national leadership. The NLS offers promising future student leaders the opportunity to discuss, debate, and learn leadership in our nation’s capital. The NLS provides an up-close, first-hand look at leadership and a chance to meet and step into the roles of those who lead at a national level.  LeadAmerica's NJLC programs are experiential leadership conferences for middle and junior high school students. Each focuses on a particular field of study and gives students the opportunity to learn about the subject, meet practitioners in the field, and explore career possibilities.

Leadership Institute
Founded by Morton C. Blackwell in 1979, the Institute identifies recruits, trains and places conservatives in the public policy process. The Institute produces leaders for a new generation of public policy leadership unwavering in its commitment to free enterprise, limited government and traditional values and equipped with the practical skills to implement sound philosophy through effective public policy.  Please note: all applicants must be graduates of a Youth Leadership School before they can be considered for a Leadership Institute internship.

Lions Club International Youth Programs
The International Camps and Exchange is unlike other exchange programs, the Lions International Youth Camp and Exchange Program is not conducted for tourism, education or employment. Instead, it is a unique cultural learning opportunity. Travel to another country, live with a host family, participate in a camp and experience another culture.  The Leo Club is a great way to become involved in your community, serve as a leader to your peers and make friends.

Martha Guy Summer Institute
The Martha Guy Summer Institute (MGSI) at Appalachian State University (ASU) is for current juniors interested in business. Students spend 2 weeks on campus exploring business then travel to New York City and Washington, D.C. Students interested in business and leadership who are committed to learning should apply.

National Student Leadership Forum
The National Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values is a time for college student leaders to gather together from around the United States to meet with political and business leaders and examine the leadership model of Jesus of Nazareth. The three-day forum takes place in Washington, D.C. annually.

NC 4-H Congress
The N.C. State 4-H Congress is an annual educational event sponsored by the 4-H Youth Development Department at N.C. State University and planned by the State 4-H Council. This council is composed of 32 young people who serve as officers from their respective districts and 4 state officers who are elected at Congress. The Congress will be attended by approximately 800 youths ranging in age from 9 to 19 and representing every county in North Carolina.

NC Governor's Page Program
The Governor's Page Program, a year round program established in 1973, provides an opportunity for high school students to spend a week in Raleigh and learn of the roles and functions of state government. Each week, Pages will be assigned to a cabinet level agency or Council of State office within the state government complex to assist employees with various tasks. In addition to their daily responsibilities, Pages will have the opportunity to attend press conferences, tour several historic landmarks including the State Capitol, the Legislative Building, the Executive Mansion, the Supreme Court and the NC Correctional Institute for Women; participate in service projects; and meet the Governor.

NC Governor’s School
The Governor's School of North Carolina is a six-week summer residential program for intellectually gifted high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses on each of two campuses. The curriculum focuses on the exploration of the most recent ideas and concepts in each discipline, and does not involve credit, tests, or grades. The program is entirely free of charge to all students, funded by the General Assembly of North Carolina.

The Governor's School is the oldest statewide summer residential program for academically or intellectually gifted high school students in the nation. The program, which is open to rising seniors only, with exceptions made for rising juniors in the performing/visual arts area, is located on two campuses of 400 students each: Governor's School West at Salem College in Winston-Salem (begun in 1963), and Governor's School East at Meredith College in Raleigh (begun in 1978). Funded annually by the General Assembly of North Carolina, the program is administered by the Public Schools of North Carolina, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Public Instruction through the Exceptional Children Division. A Board of Governors, appointed by the State Board of Education, acts as an advisory body.

NC House Page Program
The North Carolina House of Representatives Page Program affords youth of the State the opportunity to see firsthand how laws are made by participating in the legislative process. Young people help in Representatives' offices, in committee meetings, and during daily Sessions for one-week terms when the General Assembly is in session. Representatives are encouraged to sponsor students from a variety of backgrounds.

NC Senate Page Program
The North Carolina Senate Page Program affords youth of the state the opportunity to see firsthand how laws are made by participating in the legislative process. Young people help in individual Senators' offices, in committee meetings, and during daily Sessions for one-week terms when the General Assembly is in session.

NC Special Olympics Internships
Special Olympics North Carolina offers a variety of internship opportunities for students who are interested in enhancing their academic experience with real-world experience in their field. Our goal is to cultivate a mutually beneficial relationship between the intern and Special Olympics North Carolina. While the intern provides his or her supervisor with professional and efficient support, the supervisor will educate the intern on the specific components of non-profit management and give him or her hands-on experience.  Numerous interns are needed year round for internships with Special Olympics North Carolina throughout the state. We provide internship opportunities in volunteer management, sports, communications and development.

NRA Foundation
The National Youth Education Summit (YES) is a week long excursion into the heart of the nation's capital, and everything it stands for, specifically, freedom. This seven-day, all-expense-paid, educational opportunity provides a select group of high school sophomores and juniors with a hands-on learning experience through Washington, D.C. Students will gain an eye opening perspective on American history and government while observing the political process at work.

Presidential Classroom
Presidential Classroom provides high school juniors and seniors the chance to explore the political process in Washington, D.C. Choose from eight different programs that focus on current issues affecting our society today.

Turkish Coalition of America’s Scholarship for American Minority Students
The Turkish Coalition of America awards up to 100 scholarships per year for American minority students. These scholarships are awarded to eligible undergraduate and graduate level students who have been accepted to a university in Turkey or in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The scholarships range from $500 to $2,000 per student.

USDA Risk Management Agency
Production agriculture is a high risk undertaking. Students who participate in the Risk Management Essay Contest will develop an understanding of the principles of risk management and learn how to select the proper strategies to minimize risk and maximize returns. Ten national winning essays will be selected on the basis of content, adherence to the assigned topic, grammar, organization, originality and creativity. Each of the ten winners and his or her advisor will travel to Washington, D.C., all expenses paid, for a special USDA Risk Management Agency/FFA Day. While in Washington, students and advisors will meet with USDA officials and members of Congress and be recognized in a special ceremony. Lodging, transportation and meal costs will be covered for each student winner and his or her advisor.

Young America's Foundation
Young America's Foundation's National Conservative Student Conference, National High School Leadership Conference, and regional conferences allow students to interact with and learn valuable leadership skills from national leaders. Past speakers include President Ronald Reagan, Attorney General John Ashcroft, Nobel Laureates James Buchanan and Milton Friedman, author Tom Clancy, and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

YMCA Youth and Government
The purpose of the program is to bring the workings of state government alive to students. It creates an opportunity for students to discuss current state issues with state administrators, elected officials, and students from high schools and YMCA's throughout the state. Each conference is led by teens elected to office by their fellow delegates. Each state provides facilities and volunteers from various state departments who act as resources for the students while they debate the issues. The volunteers help guide the students through mock committee meetings. Students debate and vote on the bills that their fellow delegates have written and presented. Bills that pass in committee are then taken to the floor of the House or Senate for full debate and vote. Northwest North Carolina YMCA

 



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