About Junior National Young Leaders Conference

Junior National Young Leaders Conference FAQs

• Is the Junior National Young Leaders Conference right for me?

  The Junior National Young Leaders Conference is for you if you are a mature and responsible middle school student who has demonstrated leadership potential and academic achievement. Most of our students are either nominated by educators or selected through our academic partnerships; however, we do accept a limited number of students through our competitive application process. If you have not been nominated or selected but are interested in taking advantage of the life-changing opportunities that the program provides, we encourage you to submit an application today.

• What is the code of conduct for this program?

  Attending JrNYLC is fun, but it is also an honor. Like all meaningful experiences, you only get out what you put into your time spent at this exciting conference. You are expected to conduct yourself as a mature and responsible leader, as you represent your school and community. You must abide by the Student Code of Conduct. You must also abide by and uphold all conference rules. Failure to do this may result in dismissal from the program and forfeiture of tuition.

• What is included in tuition?

  Your tuition for the JrNYLC includes housing accommodations (residential program only), instruction, program activities and materials, site explorations and supervision by professional program staff. Your meals and snacks during the program (excluding lunch on arrival and departure days) as well as private motor coach transportation to all program locations are also covered.

  However, your transportation to and from Washington, D.C. is NOT included in tuition. While attending the program, you will only need money for personal spending on items such as souvenirs, airport shuttle service, additional snacks, and other incidentals. 

• How will I be supervised?

  Your safety and well-being during the program is our highest priority. The program is structured so that you will reside in a safe, controlled environment. You will be closely supervised by our professionally trained Envision team, including advisors who serve as educational facilitators and chaperones, security personnel, operations personnel, and program coordinators.

  For over 35 years, Envision has achieved a stellar record of safely and successfully enriching the lives of students, providing them with superb educational experiences and professional supervision. Envision safety measures include:

  • Greeting students at the designated airport upon their arrival, providing shuttle service directly to the program site, and providing shuttle service back to the airport on Departure Day*
  • Maintaining a student-to-staff ratio of 17 to 1
  • Requiring all students to attend all activities
  • Checking rooms nightly and ensuring that students remain in their rooms
  • Having night monitors in place to support students who may become ill or who have an emergency during the night
  • Equipping all staff members with two-way communication devices

   

  *There is an additional fee for shuttle service.

• What is the difference between the residential and day options?

  You have two options when enrolling in JrNYLC: a residential option and a day option.

  Students who choose the Residential option will work and stay at the Conference site for the program duration and will participate in additional simulations in the evenings. 

  Students who choose the Day option will be checked in each morning after breakfast and checked out each evening before dinner. Day students participate in all site visits to Washington, D.C.; however, the day program ends a day before the residential program.

  The benefit of the Day program is flexibility in scheduling. Additionally, some students may not feel comfortable with a Residential option, and the Day option allows for these students to still participate in the program and awaken their leadership potential.
• Where will I stay?

  For the summer 2024 JrNYLC sessions, 5th and 6th grade students, along with staff, will reside at the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Hyattsville, MD. The housing site is located just outside of Washington, D.C. and is ideally suited for students to enjoy all the program activities that take place in Maryland, West Virginia, and our nation’s capital. 

• How many students share a room?

  Each room will house three to four students. You will have your own bed, which may include a roll-away bed. 

• Can my parents attend the program?

  Gaining independence, including experiencing new things on your own, is an essential part of your growth during the program. Because of this, your parents or guardians are not allowed to accompany you during the program; however, they and your other family members are welcome to enroll in the JrNYLC Family Program. Available for select sessions, the JrNYLC Family Program allows attendees to enjoy their own unique curriculum. Attendees will also enjoy Anthony Robles’ keynote speech.

• I am a student requiring specific accommodations. Can I still attend?

  Yes, we encourage you to enroll. Envision by WorldStrides believes in working with families to accommodate student needs and encourages the participation of students who feel prepared to meet the academic, social, physical, and emotional demands of the program environment. We may be able to provide appropriate auxiliary staff and services to assist students as needed if notified in advance. We encourage families, guardians, legal representatives, or educators to contact the Office of Admissions for more information and to discuss particular accommodations before applying for enrollment in the program.

• Do I need to make my own flight arrangements?

  Yes. Your tuition does not include transportation for arrival to and departure from the program location. We recommend that you make necessary flight arrangements only AFTER you receive confirmation that you are officially enrolled.

• What are the pre-program assignments? Do I have to do them?

  The first step of your leadership journey includes assessing your strengths and opportunities for growth. As part of your program, you'll have access to WorldStrides' newest digital platform: MyActionPath.

  WorldStrides has partnered with PAIRIN, a leader in career and life planning and assessment, to help our students along their lifetime learning journeys. The result of this partnership is MyActionPath—a personalized, virtual GPS that guides you along your desired career pathway and helps you identify ways to enhance your skills and achieve your goals. MyActionPath can assist you in deciding which professional field might suit you best, makes recommendations based on your goals and dreams, and provides you with educational and supportive resources. Before you arrive to your program location, you'll receive more information via email on how to begin this exciting career-planning journey.

• Can special dietary needs be met?

  At JrNYLC, we make every effort to meet all the dietary needs of all of our students. Vegetarian options are always available. Vegan, kosher, and halal meals can be made available to you, provided your request is submitted prior to the start of the conference. When you complete the Student Information Form, you will have the opportunity to make special dietary requests, including any food allergies or dietary restrictions.