Leadership Programs

Youth Leadership Douglas

Youth Leadership Douglas (YLD) is a leadership training program for high school juniors grounded in community awareness, community service, and developing your personal potential to lead. Participants will acquire and broaden their knowledge of local government, business, and civic activities through this leadership program.

The program is highly interactive, which permits participants to review the impact each topic has on them as well as on the larger community.

Selection Process

Current juniors from any Douglas County high school (public, private, and home school) are eligible to apply. The Youth Leadership Douglas Program will take place during junior year. These students will then be interviewed by the YLD Co-Chairs in cooperation with the schools.

Class Structure

While the curriculum for each session is the same, multiple options are available for participation to accommodate extracurricular activities. A five-month program running in either the Fall or Spring with monthly meetings. A mandatory all-day retreat will take place prior to the first session.

Program Goals

To provide opportunities for participants to develop an understanding of the meaning and responsibilities of personal, organizational, and community leadership; and to produce ethical leaders committed to active community involvement.

Program Format

A five-month program running in the Fall of 2026 and end in the Spring of 2027 with monthly meetings. A mandatory orientation and an all-day retreat will take place prior to the first session.

Fall 2026- Spring 2027 Youth Leadership Douglas Calendar

Orientation - October 2026 Retreat - October 2026 Class 1 - November 2026 Class 2 - December 2026 Class 3 - January 2027 Class 4 - February 2027 Class 5 - March 2027 YLD Graduation - TBD

Expectations

100 % attendance is mandatory. If a student cannot commit to attending ALL the meetings, application is not encouraged. A portion of YLD classes will be held during school hours, and the DCSS principals have allowed this to be an excused absence. YLD students must coordinate transportation to and from YLD classes. All program communication is done electronically. Each student is required to set up an email account and join the Remind text messaging program to maintain correspondence with the group. Communication regarding the program must be done through the student, not the student's parent/guardian.

Program Fee

Up to 20 Douglas County School System students are eligible to participate at no fee.

For Private/Homeschool students the fee to participate in the program is $150.00 due upon acceptance.

Tuition includes the full-day retreat and all class expenses.

Class Structure

YLD classes will be structured using a point system. A total of 50 points is required to graduate from YLD. 30 of the 50 points are mandatory and predetermined below. The remaining 20 points are accumulated based on each student’s individual interests. These points are compiled outside of mandatory class time and must be completed before the end of their session. If a student has a suggestion for an additional activity, it can be submitted in writing to the YLD admin team for approval.

applications

Youth Leadership Douglas Application

Application is due Friday, September 25, 2026.

program fee

Up to 20 Douglas County School System students are eligible to participate at no fee.

For Private/Homeschool students the fee to participate in the program is $150.00 due upon acceptance.

Tuition includes the full-day retreat and all class expenses.

For more information on this program, please contact the Chamber at 770.942.5022.

Youth Leadership Douglas was a wonderful program! I learned so much about my community as well as leadership skills. I enjoyed getting to know all my fellow students and making some really great friends. The leaders were also so kind and helpful anytime I needed help or had questions! I can see so much benefit in this program for anyone who completes it. From gathering points for presentations to visiting small businesses in the area and even the Water & Sewer Authority, the YLD program is helping develop the next generation of skillful leaders.

Savannah Ledbetter

Youth Leadership Douglas Graduate