Youth Leadership Weekend

Youth Leadership Weekend began in 2008 and occurs every year in March. 20 area high school juniors (10 male and 10 female) are invited to attend each year. Each high school in our service territory sends 1 male and 1 female student to participate. The students are chosen by their principals, teachers, and guidance counselors.

Youth Leadership Weekend serves as an opportunity for the students to develop leadership skills that are vital to their success in life while also learning about the cooperative business model. The program is held at Camp Kirkwood in Watha, NC where it begins Friday afternoon and ends Sunday morning. Over the course of the weekend, the students are provided with several training exercises that are focused on developing their leadership and team-building skills while really challenging themselves and overcoming fears. The weekend also presents motivational speakers as well as allowing time built in to have fun together and get to know each other. A highlight of the weekend is a student favorite – ziplining.

On Sunday morning, as the program comes to an end, the students vote on who they thought were the most outstanding male and female leaders for the weekend. These 2 students chosen by their peers are then invited to represent Four County Electric Membership Corporation at the Youth Tour in Washington, DC in June. Also, each student that attends the program is eligible to apply for 1 of 2 $1,000 scholarships by writing an essay about their experience over the course of the weekend and what they learned about leadership, team building, and the cooperative business model.

For 2024, Youth Leadership Weekend will be held at Camp Kirkwood in Watha from March 15 through 17. If you would like more information about the program, please contact Ashley Davis at (910) 259-1820 or email Four County Programs.

Youth Leadership Weekend is one of the many ways that Four County contributes to the communities that we serve by assisting in the development of our communities’ future leaders. We can’t think of a better investment than one made in our youth.

2022 Youth Leadership Weekend

2022 you leadership weekend participants