Teen Leadership Breakthrough

Prerequisite: Students must be a high school student and at the age of 14-18
Course Length: Two-and-a-half days
Course Location: Camp Chestermere or Camp Cadicasu

Teen Leadership Breakthrough, the Empowering Mind's core program, is about personal leadership. Students do not just learn about the concepts and theories of leadership, they experience what it means to personally lead their life.

Empowering Minds™ programs are delivered with today's youth in mind—we understand their fears, frustrations and apprehensions, and we understand the unique social pressures they face. In Teen Leadership Breakthrough, we create an environment where it is safe for students to learn more about themselves: their challenges, motivations, goals and personal aspirations. Through a unique approach, students practice what it means to lead one's life.

During the Teen Leadership Breakthrough program, students increase their self confidence, and in doing so empower themselves to face their fears, establish goals, speak their mind, trust other people, and embrace their unique abilities. The results speak for themselves. In an independent, long-term study commissioned by the University of Calgary, the evaluation measured significant improvements in the following areas:

• Intrapersonal understanding: self-regard, self-expression, and assertiveness
• Interpersonal understanding: social responsibility, and interpersonal relationships
• Adaptability: change management, reality testing, and flexibility
• Emotional intelligence: positive mood and positive impression
• Competence: growing competence, goal attainment, and effective functioning

What do these terms mean to a teenager?

It's quite simple and it is the reason we do what we do. Scientific research and personal testimonies from graduates, teachers, and parents all say the same thing:

Emotional intelligence is directly linked to improved academic health, happiness and life-long success.

"This experience changed my life in so many ways; it has given me to strength to stand up for myself, the drive to set goals and achieve them."

~ McKenna Simpson, student Teen Leadership Breakthrough graduate, Central Memorial High School

Social and emotional learning improves positive behaviour and reduces negative behaviour.

"Last year, when we presented students with citizenship awards, it struck our teachers that there were many more recipients from prior years. The common denominator— many students who received a citizenship award had attended the Teen Leadership Breakthrough Program."

~ Ken Chee, Vice Principal, Central Memorial High School

Students with higher self-esteem are less likely to become victims of bullying or fall subject to peer pressure.

"Teens are especially vulnerable to limiting their view of themselves in order to be accepted by other people or to fit in, and they are at risk of using unhealthy behaviors to cope. I have seen first hand the life-changing impact of the Werklund Foundation's Empowering Minds™ programs with Calgary students. It empowers students with the tools to take charge of their lives and their choices."

~ Cathy Keough, a Supervisor with the Calgary Counselling Centre