Shine Your Light and the Gap Year Association, with support from the Association for Experiential Education, are pleased to announce the Experiential Learning Leadership Intensive (a.k.a. EL “Boot Camp”).

WHAT IS IT?

The Boot Camp is a 4-day intensive leadership retreat for executive directors, creators, and managers of hands-on, interactive learning programs, in indoor and outside settings. The Boot Camp offers in-depth training and support in the key areas needed to run your programs successfully, including marketing, effective systems and administration, risk management, program development and fine-tuning, and learning outcome assessment. (See below for details.) The leadership intensive has been a successful, transformational program for 14 years, replicated nationwide.

NOTE: This is NOT a conference; it’s a roll-up-your-sleeves, deep dive “mastermind” into your specific areas of development, with one-on-one mentoring and coaching in critical programmatic and operational areas from experts in leadership development, experiential education, and global citizenship.

Unlike other leadership trainings, the Boot Camp:

1. Is individualized to your specific skill and experience level, whether you and your program are brand-new or have been operating for decades;
2. Provides an opportunity to drill down deeply into the program areas you most want to work on and improve, and
3. Provides focused, dedicated time to work individually and in teams with personalized coaching on your program areas and leadership skills.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

The Boot Camp is designed for leaders who are developing, directing, or managing hands-on, interactive learning programs – including summer camps, Gap year, environmental and outdoor education, travel and cultural exchange, service-learning, internship, experiential higher education, preK-12 schools, and education programs, and study abroad programs.

The EL Boot Camp is an equal opportunity leadership training. We do not discriminate based on race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or socio-economic status. All are welcome to apply. Scholarships and payment plans available upon request.

WHEN AND WHERE?

The 2020 Boot Camp will take place in beautiful Lake Tahoe, at the Granlibakken Resort, Friday, March 27-Monday, March 30.

WHY GO?

• It’s your time to shine:  While much effort and time goes into thoughtful development of your programs and participants, it’s equally critical to put dedicated energy and reflection into your own growth as leaders. Expand your leadership skills and knowledge, and focus on those bigger program priorities that get shelved amidst your pressing daily tasks. It’s time to take yourself and your program to the next level!
• Create new bonds: Networking in the intimate Boot Camp setting, you will develop new friendships with professional peers to support each other in your current roles or open doors to opportunities within the broader experiential learning community.
• The future’s in your hands: As developers and leaders of experiential learning programs, you are in a uniquely powerful position to role model and guide adults and soon-to-be-adults how to become more collaborative and less tribal, creating win-win ways to share our global resources and to be caring, committed stewards of the earth.
• Keep up your cred: The EL Boot Camp is the fastest, most fun, streamlined option for anyone seeking or maintaining four-year accreditation from the Gap Year Association. GYA-accredited programs are viewed as among the highest quality programs by families, schools, and the U.S. government.
• Be a pioneer: Gap Year Association-accredited programs that attend the Boot Camp will be eligible to offer up to a full semester of college credit, access to federal financial aid (FAFSA), and access to tax deductions and discounts through federal 529 funds.

KEY TOPICS

The Boot Camp offers a range of interactive, in-depth sessions, guest and peer speakers, case studies, and indoor and outdoor group activities that address the essential concepts and skills for successful experiential learning program management. The pace of the Boot Camp is intense and engaging, yet also relaxed and fun. Key topics include:

• Life-Changing Learning: Must-have elements of a transformational experiential educational program
• Show Me the Money: Marketing and fundraising
• Sticky Personnel Issues: Effectively selecting, training, managing, and assessing your staff
• Opening the Doors: Access and inclusion
• Minding the Store: Financial sustainability
• Follow Me: Discovering and developing your leadership style and strengths
• Say What? Communication and conflict resolution
• No Duh! Making quick, clear decisions based on your inner knowing
• I Won’t See You in Court: Risk management, legal and policy issues
• All Systems Go: Effective program operations, information management, and key administrative strategies
• Walking the Line: Work-life balance
• How You Doin’? Strategic Planning and next steps

PROGRAM COST

• EARLY BIRD SPECIAL (due by Dec. 2, 2019) : $2,250
• REGULAR REGISTRATION (due by Feb. 24, 2020): $2,395
• The all-inclusive fee covers 4 days and 3 nights of double-occupancy lodging, meals, use of the resort grounds and facilities, registration, materials, and all presentations. Single lodging for an additional $255.60. Participants must arrange and cover the costs of their travel and incidentals.
• Organizational teams are encouraged to apply and attend together. 10% discount for each person subsequent to the first.
• Partners and families welcome to enjoy the resort at a heavily discounted rate. Contact Granlibakken directly for fees and reservations.

TO APPLY

The EL Boot Camp is a limited enrollment training with a competitive application process. To secure your spot at the 2020 Boot Camp, apply now.

SCHEDULE

View the 2020 Leadership Intensive schedule.

CONTACT

Questions and requests, please contact Laurie Gardner.

Shine Your Light is a leadership and personal development nonprofit whose mission is “For each one, reach one”: For each coaching, training, or keynote service purchased, SYL gives away free or discount services to those who can’t afford it. Founded by 25-year veteran author/speaker/coach, Laurie Gardner, whose comprehensive leadership intensive has helped thousands of leaders and been replicated nationwide.

The Gap Year Association is a nonprofit Standards and Professionalization Organization for Gap Years as recognized by the US Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission.  GYA works primarily to help spread the word about Gap Years by providing resources and information, as well as work to increase financial aid resources and improve the professionalization of the field.