Ohio-West Virginia Youth Leadership Association

Youth in Government

Youth & Government Seminars

Model United Nations

Horseshoe Leadership Center

Cave Lake Leadership Center

Alumni

are incubators of leadership where teens figure out what they can do to make their schools and communities better, plan and organize how to turn ideas into action, step out to make differences for good and then take time to review what's accomplished and what to do better the next time. The YLA program year gets off to a successful start as teens and advisors gather for a great weekend of just good fun, friends and learning at Fall Conference.

YLA is the best thing I've done in school. I've learned so much, gained confidence I never dreamed I could have, got involved and now I am ready for the future!

YLA programs include:

Where else do teenagers get to “take over” the state capitol for three days? This is great! We get to be legislators sitting in the same seats and using the same facilities they use.

I’ve learned more about civics and state government this way than from any book or classroom. We take what we learn in class and get to apply it. Some of the laws we propose have actually become state law. Judicial is great! We get to see how the judicial system works. I don’t want to be an attorney, but I need to understand the court.

Youth & Government Seminars offer 8th graders an opportunity to learn about state government by observing it and interacting with its leaders during the annual legislative session.

Model United Nations offers windows on the world and international perspectives as teens represent nations trying to solve international issues.

Model UN is a great way to learn about the world. I came into this program with no knowledge about the UN or my nation. I left with that knowledge plus the ability to think as my nation and a greater appreciation for other nations.

Horseshoe’s Teen Entrepreneurship and Leadership-Service Summits have earned a national reputation.

This literally was the best week of my life. I’m going home a new person, I know who I am!

Youth Opportunity Camps help low income 7 – 12 year old boys and girls get on the path toward success.

I see differences Horseshoe makes to kids’ lives in just one week. They feel safe here, they get to be themselves here, they can forget about their worries here. Kids may come with nothing, but are given something priceless that lets them know someone cares!

Horseshoe also offers a Heritage Arts program which includes quilting, sewing, and basket making. Family camping is also offered at the Horseshoe Recreation Area.

Cave Lake, a place of rare natural beauty in Ohio’s Appalachian region and home to our family camping program, is being transformed into a nationally significant year-round learning center for youth, adults and families. Cave Lake’s 700 acres offer unsurpassed opportunities for leadership development, as well as a peaceful atmosphere for personal and group growth, enjoyment of the out-of-doors, the arts, music, entrepreneurship, civic responsibility and stewardship of our natural heritage. Cave Lake will strengthen and expand the base of effective family, organizational and community leadership across Ohio. Each October Cave Lake participates in Make a Difference Day and on that day also offers officer training.

Youth building better homes, schools, and communities since 1867

Alumni bring commitment, experience and new support to all our youth programs. Our new Alumni Program offers many ways to stay involved, to share leadership advancing all our programs and to offer YLA experiences to many more young people.

YLA Officer Assistance Materials

Officer Leadership Corps

YLA Teen Council Purpose

Quick Facts - YG Ohio Student Legislature

Quick Facts - YG West Virginia Student Legislature

Quick Facts - OH Judicial

Quick Facts - WV Judicial

Quick Facts - High School Model United Nations

Quick Facts - Middle School Model United Nations

Code of Conduct

Potential Grants and Awards

YLA youth groups secure support from local sources and can apply to state and national grant programs. Use these grant opportunities to expand your base of support and program outreach.

Points of Light Foundation - Award programs related to Youth Service.

Make a Difference Day

Eco-Hero Awards Program for students 8-16 recognizing accomplishments of young people who have carried out environmental action projects.

Ignite Creative Energy Challenge is designed to encourage students to learn more about energy and the environment.

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes seeks to recognize young people from diverse backgrounds who have shown extraordinary leadership in making our world a better place by helping people, protecting the environment, halting violence, or leading other important service work.

Seaworld/Busch Gardens/Fuji Film Environmental Excellence Awards recognize and reward K-12 student groups working at the grassroots level to protect and preserve their local environment.

State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Awards are available to teachers/professors, youth (ages 5-25), and school-based service-learning coordinators to implement service-learning projects for National Youth Service Day.


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