NYLC

Junior National Young Leaders Conference

A confidence-building, leadership-focused summer experience for middle school students. JrNYLC combines historic exploration, team challenges, and social development to help students discover their voice and step into their potential.

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Where Leaders Begin

Picture your middle schooler on a university campus alongside students from across the country, discovering leadership through hands-on experiences in Washington, D.C., Boston, San Francisco, or Atlanta. Between visits to the Capitol or Freedom Trail, they tackle real challenges like running presidential campaigns and building advocacy projects that build lasting confidence.

Each day balances learning with fun through outdoor games, talent shows, and dance parties, while residential evenings forge friendships and team spirit. Families join during Family Orientation to meet the caring, experienced team.

Whether naturally outgoing or still finding their voice, JrNYLC provides the structure, encouragement, and community every child needs to thrive, returning home with newfound confidence and belief in their capabilities.

Grades:

5-8

Duration:

5 - 6 Days

Format:

Commuter, Residential

Starting Price:

$2,699.00

Locations, program content, and speakers are subject to change.

What Makes This Experience So Meaningful

Landmarks That Inspire

Your child will walk the same paths as world-changing leaders.

Leadership in Action

They’ll step into the role of president, policymaker, and changemaker.

Their Voice. Their Project.

The Voices of Change Action Plan gives them a way to lead on what matters most.

A Place to Grow and Connect

Fun and friendship are just as important as leadership.

What Your Child Will Take Home

Confidence That Sticks

Whether it’s speaking in front of a group or leading a discussion, your child will return home with new self-belief they’ll carry into school and life.

A Clearer Sense of Self

From communication to collaboration, the skills they build here are the same ones they’ll use to succeed in class, in relationships, and in future careers.

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Leadership Tools for Life

From communication to collaboration, the skills they build here are the same ones they’ll use to succeed in class, in relationships, and in future careers.

Lifelong Friendships

With time built in for fun, students form real friendships that last well beyond the program.

Dates, Locations, & Tuition

Regions:

View All Locations

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

$3,199.00Residential

Dates: July 13-18

Grades: 5-6

$2,699.00Commuter

Dates: July 14-18

Grades: 5-6

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Bentley University

Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

$3,199.00Residential

Dates: June 28 - July 3

Grades: 5-6

$2,699.00Commuter

Dates: June 29 - July 3

Grades: 5-6

See Full List of Dates

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University of Maryland, College Park

College Park, Maryland, United States

$3,299.00Residential

Dates: June 21-26

Grades: 5-6

$2,799.00Commuter

Dates: June 22-26

Grades: 5-6

See Full List of Dates

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*Commuter programs are for students who live within daily commuting distance of the program location and who do not wish to reside with other students during the program.

Please note: We are currently evaluating all aspects of JrNYLC and may make changes to the curriculum, site visits, or program location to ensure the program meets the most up-to-date health and safety standards.

Featured Extras

Tuition & Travel Protection

Optional protection plan providing comprehensive coverage including trip cancellation, medical evacuation, baggage protection, and accident insurance with assistance services.

Extended Day Experience

Day students can extend their experience with early breakfast drop-off and dinner plus evening activities.

Private Airport Shuttles

We’ll take care of the ride.
Let us handle the airport transportation so your student can start their adventure stress-free. Our private shuttle brings them straight to the housing site and returns them to the airport at the end of the session.
Safe. Supervised. Comfortable.
Add the airport shuttle in your account after registration, for an additional fee.

Sample Itinerary - Washington, D.C.

* Exact itinerary will vary by session and location. Participants should reference the itinerary provided as part of their enrollment package.

Day 1

Program Registration

Check-In and Orientation

Step onto campus, feel the energy as navigate through registration lines, meet new friends, and feel your nerves transform into excitement for the week ahead

Evening Team Time

Welcome Activities

Meet your Advisor and classroom group while you participate in ice breaker activities and expectation setting.

Day 2

Welcome

Group Agreement

Within your breakout group, establish a group agreement of shared expectations to use throughout the week.

Site Visit

Mount Vernon (DC)

Take a visit back in time and tour the home and grounds of our first President George Washington. Walk on the same paths to learn about our first great leader’s morals, decisions, and everyday life.

Daily Reflection

Connect the day’s visits and lessons to leadership traits and reflect on how they were demonstrated or have been demonstrated with modern and historical examples.

Evening Team Time

Field Day

End the first full day with an energizing field day with friendly competition and teamwork.

Day 3

Site Visit

US Capitol (DC)

Hear from former members of Congress during a private early visit to the floor of the House of Representatives, followed by a guided tour of the US Capitol Building.

Curriculum and Simulations

American Presidency (5/6)

Learn about the different roles of the presidency to set the groundwork for the My Day in Office Simulation

Teens Changing the World (7/8)

Explore inspirational change makers while developing oral presentation skills to deliver your own world-changing pitch.

Daily Reflection

Build on the prior days’ reflection with a focus on another leadership trait.

Evening Team Time

Karaoke Night

Unleash your inner superstar during a fun karaoke night signing your heart out with your new friends.

Day 4

Site Visit

Monuments and NMAH (DC)

Explore some of the most iconic DC monuments and memorials, and learn about the events/leaders that they memorialize.

Curriculum and Simulations

Running for President (5/6)

Explore different campaign mediums and participate in creating a campaign to elect the President for the My Day in Office Simulation.

Tolerance (7/8)

Examine tolerance and what patterns lead to intolerance and discrimination. Close with a simulation to articulate an argument on a real-world case of intolerance.

Daily Reflection

Build on the prior 2 days’ reflections with a focus on a different leadership trait.

Evening Team Time

Game Night

Test your wit and make friends with a board game and trivia night.

Day 5

Social & Emotional Learning

Relationship Skills and Social Awareness

Explore common biases and how they can lead to stereotypes and how to communicate efficiently and respectfully during fun SEL lessons.

Curriculum & Simulations

Presidential Election (5/6)

Scholars will showcase their presidential campaigns and elect their president for the My Day in Office Simulation.

My Day in Office (5/6)

Act as a member of the President’s Cabinet to work through a simulated emergency and explore collaboration and decision making.

Peace Patch Protest (7/8)

Create and present an effective argument about a current topic in a simulated school community forum setting.

Facing the Music (7/8)

Take part in a simulated interview show to partake in a lively discussion to use evidence and reasoning to defend arguments and consider counter arguments

Evening Team Time

Variety Show

Showcase your talents and enjoy a variety of acts from your fellow scholars to close out the final night of the program.

Day 6

Curriculum

Action Plan

During this final lesson, create a modern PSA to call the community to action around an issue or cause and begin drafting a plan to address it.

Closing Ceremony

Close out the program with a ceremony to celebrate your accomplishments from the week and hear from a selected scholar representative of each advisor group during scholar speeches.

Departure

Check-Out

Students who have flights will be brought to the airport while all other students will wait to be picked up

Health & Safety

Travel with confidence knowing you're never alone out there. When you choose Envision by WorldStrides, you've got an entire support network working around the clock to keep you safe.

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Testimonials

"I think the opportunity for her experience being off on her own and having to look out for herself has been invaluable. And being around peers in a safe environment, exchanging ideas, and learning about each other and hearing different perspectives and life experiences has been extremely impactful for her."

Parent, Junior National Youth Leaders Conference

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Junior National Young Leaders Conference (JrNYLC)?

The Junior National Young Leaders Conference is a leadership development program designed for middle school students (5th-8th grade) to discover their leadership potential and develop real-world skills. Students participate in interactive workshops, collaborative problem-solving challenges, site visits to historically significant locations, and create action plans to address societal issues. The program has been running since 2003 and helps students develop critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and responsible decision-making skills.

What grade levels can attend JrNYLC?

The program is designed for students in 5th through 8th grade, with some curriculum components specifically tailored to grade levels (5th-6th grade students participate in different simulations than 7th-8th grade students).

Where does JrNYLC take place?

JrNYLC is held in four locations: Washington D.C., Atlanta, Boston, and San Francisco. Each location offers unique site visits to historically significant places that connect to the leadership curriculum.

How long is the program?

The program runs for one week during the summer.

What will students learn at JrNYLC?

Students learn about contributions of influential figures from American history, develop leadership skills including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. They examine leadership in the context of American history, build effective teams, and learn how to bring their interests and passions to solving complex issues. Students are also introduced to four Future Readiness Skills: critical thinking, flexibility and adaptability, interpersonal skills, and accountability.

What will my child gain from attending JrNYLC?

Students gain practical leadership tools, develop effective communication and teamwork skills, discover their unique leadership style, connect with like-minded peers from across the nation, experience living and studying on a college campus (for residential students), and leave with a clearer vision of their potential and the belief that their voice and actions can create positive change.

Are there real success stories from past participants?

Yes, former JrNYLC alumnus Brandon Greene transformed his Voices of Change project into a real organization called "A Better Community" to combat bullying. He was honored for his work and invited to the White House to meet President Obama.

What program options are available?

JrNYLC offers three attendance options:

Residential Program: Students stay overnight on campus for the full week
Day Program: Students are dropped off and picked up each day (lunch included)
Extended Day Option: Day students arrive early for breakfast and stay for dinner and evening activities

What's included in the tuition?

Tuition includes all activities and materials, instruction and supervision, and evening team time for residential and extended day students.

What's NOT included in tuition?

Transportation to and from the program, airport shuttle service, and linens are not included in tuition.

Is there a family orientation?

Yes, family orientation presentations are offered exclusively during residential arrival day registration at all program sessions and locations. These optional sessions provide parents and guardians with essential program and site-specific details, and families can interact with on-site program leadership and ask questions.

Your Nomination Makes An Impact

For over 40 years, Envision’s programs have helped students discover their passion, test drive careers, and develop as leaders. Give students an opportunity to reach their full potential by nominating them today.

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Junior National Young Leaders Conference

Where Leaders Begin