Future Civic Leaders is currently accepting online applications for their 2012 leadership conferences!

The Future Civic Leaders program is currently accepting online applications for their 2012 Summer Leadership Conference!

Since 2009, Future Civic Leaders has hosted a series of free leadership conferences in Washington, DC where high school students participated in various trainings, met national politicians, and ran their own simulated congressional campaigns.

A number of high-profile speakers have led conference workshops, including US Congressmen Aaron Schock (R-IL) and Jared Polis (D-CO), CNN White House Correspondent Ed Henry, MSNBC Senior Political Analyst Mark Halperin, former George W. Bush Speechwriter John McConnell, and Emmy Award winning writer Jennie Blackton.

To accommodate the growing demand and interest from students, Future Civic Leaders will host three (3), one-day conferences. These conferences will be intensive, one-day trainings that will give students the tools they need to change the world. The program dates are July 23, 25, and 27 and the conferences will run from 8am-8pm each day. To apply, please visit: http://www.futurecivicleaders.org/cities/national-conference/.

Future Civic Leaders program - LaDonna Carney

 

 Future Civics Leaders was a program that I signed up for but I did not have a strong interest towards the program. Through the three long adventured packed days at George Washington University and other areas in the nation’s capital, my interest evolved. I began to gain a better understanding of politics on a local and national level.

In a group of five future leaders counseled by a strong adult, we wrote speeches and presented them. We made posters for our selected candidate. We came up with slogans and chants. The election simulation was a fun and eye opening process. We were taught how to do many things by specialists. We met many professional speech writers, lobbyists, advertisers, and others who helped us throughout the election process.

 While we had worked hard over the three days, we also had a lot of down and chill time. We visited many places and I was even able to listen to a formal debate about the national debt. It was very interesting. We visited many historical landmarks and just had a good bonding time. We even made a parody video about democracy to Cee-Lo Green’s “Forget You” song. The counselors were supportive and fun.

After going through this program, I realized that I don’t want to run for office or be an elected official in the future. But it made me want to know a whole lot more about what goes on in our politics today. I had fun and would recommend this program to anybody; even if you don’t plan on being President one day, the experience itself is great!

Future Civic Leaders is currently accepting applications!

Future Civic Leaders is currently accepting online applications for their 2011 Summer Leadership Conference! The annual Summer Leadership Conference is a residential summer program that hosts 40 high school students. The program dates are:

6/27-6/29
7/11-7/13
7/18-7/20

7/25-7/27

Students will participate in various trainings, meet national politicians and run their own simulated congressional campaigns! This conference is held in multiple sessions during June and July in Washington, DC and is free! The program is for students who are either low-income, lower-middle class or who have been otherwise disadvantaged and the application deadline is March 31, 2011.

Last year’s speakers included: Ed Henry (CNN Anchor), Rep. Jared Polis (U.S. Congressman), Rep. Frank Pallone, James Kotecki, John McConnell (George W. Bush’s speechwriter) and more!

The main element of the conference is a simulated congressional campaign each student will take part in. All participants will be split into small teams and each student will play a role, such as candidate or campaign manager, and they will spend the conference making sure that their candidate gets elected. This is not only interactive but also educational.

Instead of just listening to speakers, students will be advised by real political operatives. For example, when the students have to write their speeches, a speechwriter will come and talk about speechwriting. When they work on fundraising, lobbyists and fundraisers will teach them how to set a budget. In 2010, students also toured the national headquarters of both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. In addition, they were brought to the actual floor of the House of Representatives! This year promises to be bigger and better then ever!

The campaign is not just a fun simulation, but an avenue for active learning! The conference will culminate in an “election night celebration” where results will be announced and students will celebrate accomplishments while dancing the night away! Spend three days of your summer at this free, fun and exciting program!