NTLP has pivotally changed my life in every major stage in my life. When I was a High School student, this program introduced me to a completely new way of thinking and perspective on myself and society. NTLP challenged me to redefine what a true "leader" was and that it was based on more of a perspective of trust and buy-in rather than title. This was monumental to me and changed the trajectory of how I saw myself in different group settings as well as how I learned to motivate others and build trust by building relationships with people. After college, I decided to join the Board of Directors and even during my role as the past Chair of the Board, I had to truly utilize all my skills to help redo and improve our own board of directors. I didn't realize that many of the workshops that I took, developed and lead, would eventually help me learn how to excel in my everyday work, but also on our own Board of Directors. NTLP has constantly reminded me that most people in leadership roles never get this type of training anywhere in their career development. By being able to get started in learning about many of these social dynamics, I feel like it was a blessing to have learned it at such a young age. I am forever grateful and feel obligated to always return the favor to help train the next generation of future leaders who are open minded, accepting of all and open to criticism. Without NTLP, I don't know where I would be and I owe much of my career and community success to the skills that I had learned and am constantly honing even today. NTLP is a phenomenal organization, and one of a kind. That is why we have so many dedicated alumni who still volunteer their personal time for a 3 day camp that they attended in high school. That says a lot.
The National Teen Leadership Program aims to address the WHOLE teen by educating teens on leadership and social and emotional learning which benefits them, their families, their relationships, and their communities at large. I have been a part of NTLP for over 25 years and attended one of their flagship leadership camps in high school and was so inspired by their motivation to want to learn how to be leaders and make a difference in our communities, I returned for many summers to volunteer as a camp counselor. Many of the students who attend one of our programs return to volunteer to motivate other teens.
I participated in National Teen Leadership Program as a teenager, after my sophomore year of high school. I was blown away by the diversity of people I met, and I couldn't believe how much I learned over a three day program. I had to come back the next year, and knowing what I learned from the year before, became more of a leader and saw myself growing so much in that year. It was transformative to meet all those new people and learn how to be a leader in my community and how to communicate and interact with other people. Lessons that I still use today. I came back after high school to volunteer as a staff member for programs that they ran, and I had a whole new perspective, but continued to learn. It's been over 20 years since I first participated, and now I sit on the board of directors, and guide all the teenagers I can to come learn these life lessons that aren't taught in schools.
I participated in NTLP's summer programs in 2001 and 2002, and have been involved with the organization as a staff member since 2003 and on the advisory board (to the Board of Directors) for 6 years. As a participant in the weekend program, NTLP helped me learn how to interact with others. Participating in the Diversity workshop as a high school student really opened my eyes and made me realize how different everyone's backgrounds can be, yet how similarly we emotionally respond to situations. The amount of information that the volunteer staff is able to include in a three-day camp is truly astonishing. I highly recommend NTLP's camps and programs to all high school students.
I came to NTLP when I was a teen, hoping that it would help give some guidance to my life. I was not disappointed. I participated in NTLP programs from age 14 to age 17, and then at age 18 I went on to become a member of their volunteer staff. After attending camps and workshops through NTLP, I came away with a great sense of purpose. NTLP had helped me to see that I could be a voice, a helping hand, and a leader to others. I learned how to get across important concepts to a diverse group of people, how to strengthen my communication skills, and how to work in a team. I credit NTLP and its alumni for giving me the experiences, the skills, and the relationships that enabled me to develop myself professionally and personally.
NTLP has been a great organization to volunteer for. The volunteer alumni camp counselors who pay for their own costs and travel makes this program unique for teenagers. They truly demonstrate the ability to attract volunteers who really want to be there and participate. The mix of speakers, workshops, small and large group programming, mock interview, and facilitated group sessions are a great mix to inspire all teens to develop and refine their leadership abilities. I have previously participated in other leadership programs and NTLP is by far much different - the environment is warm and welcoming, the alumni show so much energy and care, and students leave extremely motivated and inspired to do good in their communities.