The Muncie Youth Leadership Program
Learning to Lead
The goal of this program is to explore the dynamics of leading groups. Through experiential learning, students will gain insight on the relevance of what it means to be a leader on campus and the surrounding community of Muncie. In this two semester experience, students will be placed into a group that includes students from three local schools. We will accept 10 Muncie Central students, 10 Indiana Academy students and 10 Burris Laboratory School students.
Students will
- Discover their leadership skills, learn new skills, and lead each other.
- Explore proven leadership practices while working in a group to identify a social issue that is prevalent on their school campus and/or Muncie community.
- Attend a retreat, multiple group project sessions and workshops in which the theme of group leadership will be discussed.
- Work to complete a group service project over the course of an academic year.
- Make friends and have fun!
In the fall students will be asked to create a proposal for a problem you want to solve. In the spring student groups will come together to actually solve the problem and then report on their success.
Click here to see an overview of last year’s program.
Fall Schedule
Most meetings will take place at the Innovation Connector (1208 W White River Blvd).
Light snacks will be provided during every in person meeting. Lunch will be provided during the Opening Retreat.
The program begins in September 2024 and concludes April 2025 with a reception for students and their families.
- August 26, 7:00 – 8:00 pm Information Night, for students and families to meet the staff and learn more about the program, via Zoom. (Suggested, but not required.)
- September 6 2022, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Camp Adventure.) Gathering / Retreat
- September 9, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Innovation Connector) Learning About You
- September 16, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Innovation Connector) Discovering Issues
- September 23, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Innovation Connector) Setting Expectations & Sharing Issues
- September 30, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Innovation Connector) Conflict and Selecting Your Issue
- October 14, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Innovation Connector) Pitch Your Issue
- October 21, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Innovation Connector) Mission Statement and Project Goals
- October 28, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Innovation Connector) To-Do’s and Timelines
- November 4, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Innovation Connector) To-Group Worknight
- November 11, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Innovation Connector) Pitch Proposal
Who’s In Charge?
This program is a collaboration between Ball State University Teachers College, Muncie Central, Muncie Burris, and Shafer Leadership Academy.
Muncie Central Social Studies Teacher Mr. Adam Cunningham, Muncie Burris Science Teacher Mrs. Amy Miller, Indiana Academy Assistant Lecturer of English Mr. David Haynes along with Shafer Leadership Academy Executive Director Mitch Isaacs serve as the staff team.
What Do Previous Participants Say?
Every year we survey the students and families involved with the program. Our program is consistently ranked as highly impactful by students and their families.
Click to see the feedback from last year’s students and families!