Youth Conferences

To help prepare your child for their college years and future career, our youth leadership conferences focus on leadership development, career exploration and experiential learning. The NSLC is dedicated to inspiring students to realize their potential, set purposeful and tangible goals, and work toward exceptional futures. NSLC students, regardless of their curriculum or area of study, leave NSLC feeling more confident, self-aware, and prepared to uncover their future.

When your child attends the a youth leadership conference hosted by the NSLC, you provide them the opportunity to step outside the typical classroom learning environment and into the career of their future. NSLC students engage in exciting and thought-provoking interactive activities, case studies, debates, and hands-on simulations. During each youth conference the NSLC creates an open and safe environment in which cooperative learning is the primary means of sharing information, thoughts, and opinions. Your child will be encouraged to learn from professionals as well as their peers and to focus on connecting their NSLC experience with life at home, school and in their community. Whether the students are debating medical ethics, listening to the Secretary of Defense, or visiting the Art Institute of Chicago, the NSLC creates opportunities for self discovery and the exploration of new and exciting ideas.

The NSLC's youth conferences attract high-achieving high school students from across the United States and around the world. Each program brings together students who share similar interests both in pursuing a future career as well as developing leadership skills that are essential to success, no matter what future they choose.

At the NSLC, your son or daughter will join an exceptional group of students and staff and will leave empowered to succeed in high school, college and beyond. Our students go on to make significant contributions to their schools and communities. Whether creating their own service project, founding a club at their school, serving in leadership roles in their school or community or continuing their career exploration through internships, NSLC Alumni build upon the skills and knowledge gained while at the NSLC.

NSLC students go on to many of our nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities. Their time spent living and learning on a college campus is excellent preparation for the rigors of college. Many of our Alumni even return to the NSLC as staff.

Upon completion of a NSLC program, students receive a Certificate of Achievement and an official program transcript documenting the extensive work performed. Students also receive a letter of recommendation that may be submitted to colleges as part of the admissions process. As Alumni, students can request that additional letters of recommendation be sent directly to colleges or scholarship programs.

In addition to the tangible benefits described above, your son or daughter will develop essential leadership skills that will be of great benefit throughout high school, college and a future career. Career workshops, college-level lectures and meetings with professionals in their chosen field will give your student valuable insight into a future career ahead of college.

Just as important, interactions with other high-achieving students from around the world who share their interests will prepare them for the social and intellectual rigors of college.

Each NSLC youth conference program is taught by a Professor or Faculty Advisor chosen for their experience in the academic and professional world. NSLC students are supervised during their program by a group of highly trained and experienced administrative staff. This administrative staff consists of full-time adult professionals.

In addition to onsite administrative staff, students are supported by small group facilitators or Team Advisors (TAs). Each TA is responsible for guiding a small group of 12-16 students throughout their NSLC experience. The TA staff consists of upper-level undergraduate and graduate students who have backgrounds in the academic focus of the conference as well as in leadership development and residential life.

TAs come from top colleges and universities across the country and are active in their schools and communities. Many have extensive work and internship experience in the career field of the conference. TAs serve as chaperones and mentors for NSLC students, and are always available to answer questions and discuss issues about college life. Approximately 80% of the NSLC Team Advisors previously attended our youth conferences.

The safety and security of NSLC students is our highest priority. All NSLC staff members are selected from a highly qualified candidate pool. Most staff members are alumni of the program and have worked for the NSLC multiple summers. Note: All staff members must successfully complete a background check.

Students spend the majority of the program supervised by their Team Advisor in small groups of 12 to 16 students. Students reside in dormitories with security access systems and 24-hour campus staff. NSLC staff members reside on the same floors as NSLC students and are available to assist students 24 hours a day. NSLC Administrative Staff is also available to assist students in the onsite office. Every location is supported by campus police or public safety officers.

Students and parents may wish to speak to students from their area who have attended a previous NSLC program. Contact information for alumni from your area who have agreed to speak to students and parents about their experiences at the NSLC may be obtained by contacting the NSLC Enrollment Office at (800) 994-6752 or completing the following form.

Click the link below to hear from former students of the National Student Leadership Conference.