🌱 Youth Leadership Foundations
Middle School – Tentative 12‑Month Schedule
Program Overview
This schedule is tentative and may be adjusted based on youth needs and community opportunities.
- Format: Sessions are held the 3rd Saturday of every month starting at 11:00 am. Duration is typically 2 hours (11:00 am–1:00 pm), extending to 4 hours (11:00 am–3:00 pm) when mentoring or guest speakers are scheduled.
- Inclusions: Snacks and drinks are provided at every session.
- Mentoring: Quarterly group mentoring is integrated into the monthly session structure.
- Community Engagement: Youth participate in two volunteer projects per year (Nov/Dec & Jun/Jul).
- Real-World Insight: Local guest speakers join us periodically to share leadership expertise.
📅 Month‑by‑Month Schedule
September
Welcome & Building Community
- Getting to know each other
- Team‑building games
- “What Makes Me Unique?” activity
Mentoring: Quarter 1 Group Mentoring
Speaker: None
October
Communication Basics
- What good communication looks like
- Listening vs. talking
- Fun partner challenges
Mentoring: N/A
Speaker: None
November
Understanding Feelings
- Identifying emotions
- How to handle big feelings
- Simple role‑plays
Mentoring: N/A
Speaker: None
December
Helping Others
- Why helping matters
- Planning our first volunteer project
- Volunteer Project #1 (Nov or Dec)
Mentoring: Quarter 2 Group Mentoring
Speaker: None
January
Setting Goals
- What is a goal
- How to set small, achievable goals
- “My 2025 Goal Map” activity
Mentoring: N/A
Speaker: Local community volunteer — “Making a Difference at Any Age”
February
Getting Along With Others
- Respect, kindness, and teamwork
- How to handle disagreements
- Group games and scenarios
Mentoring: N/A
Speaker: None
March
Money Basics
- What money is
- Saving vs. spending
- Simple budgeting game
Mentoring: Quarter 3 Group Mentoring
Speaker: Local banker — “Smart Money Choices for Kids”
April
Working as a Team
- What makes a good teammate
- Team challenge activity
Mentoring: N/A
Speaker: None
May
Confidence & Self‑Talk
- Understanding self‑esteem
- Positive vs. negative self‑talk
- “I Am…” confidence cards
Mentoring: N/A
Speaker: Youth mentor — “Believing in Yourself”
June
Being a Leader in Your Community
- What leadership looks like in everyday life
- Planning our second volunteer project
- Volunteer Project #2 (June or July)
Mentoring: N/A
Speaker: None
July
Making Good Choices
- Decision‑making basics
- Real‑life scenarios
- Group problem‑solving
Mentoring: N/A
Speaker: Community leader — “You Can Lead Too”
August
Celebration & Looking Ahead
- Reflection activity
- Recognition circle
- End‑of‑Year Resident Camp
- End‑of‑Year Graduation
Mentoring: Quarter 4 Group Mentoring
Speaker: Inspirational closing speaker