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March 27, 2017 by The Young Leader

Global Leadership Training: How Young People Can Develop Leadership Skills in a Globalized World

Is leadership a skill that you want to build on and develop? Are you interested in how leadership will look in our rapidly globalizing world? If so, you don’t have to wait until you graduate with your college degree. You can start right now! Here are some ways to develop your leadership skills:

Lead in Your School

You can develop strong leadership skills within your own school. School is about both knowledge and practical application, which are both important principles of leadership. Your school is there to help you, so take advantage of it! Don’t know where to look? Just check out the posters spread throughout the halls or in your counseling office. There are countless opportunities to find your niche and develop as a leader. You could start with the most obvious and see if there are any business and/or leadership clubs to join. Through clubs like these, you can gain some great training and experience. Some organizations such as DECA* work with teens like you, offering all kinds of programs, events, and even scholarships!

Also, consider joining an intercultural/diversity club. You will have opportunities to learn about and experience other cultures, which is extremely beneficial in an increasingly globalized world. Not only will you be making new friends, you will also be creating a more globalized worldview. Or, if you are taking a language class, think about joining a language club to practice your conversational skills. It is especially beneficial to know another language in our world today, and as a leader, this is a great skill to have.

Participate in a United Nations Program

Did you know that you can gain leadership experience from the United Nations? They offer all kinds of teen programs, such as their “Model UN Workshops.”** You’ll learn how to be a responsible leader who can influence the world for good, and you will learn how certain procedures are carried out. What better way to develop your leadership skills than by learning from a globalized program such as a Model UN?

Get a Job

It might not sound like the most exciting option, but joining the workforce in the summer or on a part-time basis can really fast track your leadership experiences. Of course, this job probably will not be your dream career, but no one starts leading from the top. At first, you may feel confused or overwhelmed, but eventually, you’ll be surprised at how much you have learned. Plus, when you work hard and set an example, going above and beyond what is asked of you, people notice and appreciate leadership like that. And not only will you gain very practical knowledge, but it is also likely that you will participate in a globalized work force. Getting a job and working hard in it gives you practical skills and develops you as a global leader.

Volunteer

True leadership means being willing to get out of your comfort zone and serve. As you know, you do not develop leadership skills by simply bossing others around and watching from afar. There is a place for delegation, but the best leaders do so out of a position of humility. And through volunteering, you will have the opportunity to serve alongside of and learn from others. This helps build important leadership principles, such as experience, initiative, team-work, a learner’s attitude, and humility. So, find something you are passionate about and sign up to volunteer. Do you care about animal welfare? Help out at a local animal shelter. Want to lead the way in extinguishing poverty and hunger? Set up a food drive with a local organization. And in our globalized world, there are increasing opportunities to volunteer in a multi-cultural context. This is a fantastic way to experience culture and learn from people all over the world! Global Leadership Adventures has a multitude of programs, and you are bound to find one that matches your passion. They even have experiences that specifically focus on globalized leadership, such as their “Social Entrepreneurship Initiative” in beautiful South Africa. No matter which one you choose to volunteer with, you will have the chance to practice and develop your leadership skills.

Are you ready to develop as a leader? Show the world your initiative and dive in!

Contributed by Addie Davis

*”High School Programs.” Deca.org. Accessed March 18^th, 2017. http://www.deca.org/high-school-programs/

** “Students.” Un.org. Accessed March 18^th, 2017. http://www.un.org/en/sections/resources/students/index.html

March 27, 2017 by The Young Leader

Easy Service Projects for High School Students

Volunteer and service projects are usually a high school graduate requirement or a great addition to a college application. Who doesn’t want to see all the ways you’ve helped out in the community or better yet, the world! With summer just around the corner, here are some ideas that you can do over the warmer months, on the weekend, or even in your spare time right now – the possibilities are truly endless!

1. Donate. If you don’t have much time but want to still cross off volunteering on your checklist then this is the way to go. There’s tons of ways you can give and we’ve put a few below for you.

Clothes. Go through your closet, your drawers, the piles of clothes on the floor and see what you can give to your local shelter, Salvation Army, or Goodwill. Guaranteed there are items that you no longer wear or haven’t touched in years, like that rhinestone tank top or oversized sports t-shirt.
Food. Take a look in your pantry and see if there are any cans of soup, vegetables, or fruits that are about to expire or you don’t think you will ever use and donate it to a food bank. Better yet, next time you’re at the store, ask if you can purchase a few extra canned goods, they are usually under $2 and go a long way to help those in need.
Toys. Remember those Barbies you used to play with or the electric car you would drive to be just like your parents? Well check in with the hospitals nearby and see if they will accept lightly used toys for those kids who are currently in the hospital. And if not, keep a lookout because there are usually toy drives during the winter months where you can give a purchased toy!

2. Fight for a cause. If you are passionate about an issue, enjoy writing, and want to share your thoughts with others than consider taking action.

Write a letter. Grab your laptop and begin writing to your Congressman. Share your thoughts about an issue, include ways to improve the situation or an alternative solution. A letter from a young person who cares about the future is rare this day in age.
Social Media. If social media is your niche then a few Tweets, DM’s, and FB posts to the right people can definitely make an impact. Maybe you’ll gain a following and who knows, you might even start a new movement!

3. Volunteer. More than likely you have a few hours free time this week or a free Saturday/Sunday in the upcoming month and what better way to use that time than by helping others!

Event Volunteer. There are tons of events happening especially over the summer months from a community movie night, Relay for Life, or a Dance Marathon. Check online and see what is happening near you. There’s probably a volunteer tab you can click on to find out more info and how to sign up.
Animal Shelter. If you’re an animal person, and who isn’t, then this is a great way to spend your time. Just think of hanging out with adorable dogs or cats for several hours and making some new bff’s. Sure you might have to clean up after them – but let’s not think about that!
Nature Reserve Clean Up. Does hiking or an afternoon surfing sound like an ideal way to spend your time? If so, see if there are any clean ups happening because if you spend most of your time outdoors, you might as well contribute to making it a clean place.

4. Help a Neighbor. More than likely there is someone you know, your parents know, or a neighbor that could use a little bit of help. So why not ask and offer assistance! Here are some ways you might be able to help:

Housework. Ask if you can mow someone’s lawn for free, weed their yard, or walk their pet! There are endless possibilities within this realm.
Errands. Perhaps there is someone who could use a ride to the grocery store, a doctors appointment, or help driving their kids to activities in the evening. Whether you volunteer for several weeks, one day a week, or something else, the thought and intention is what counts.
Tutor/Mentor. See if there is someone in a grade below you at school, a friend’s sibling, or even a local program where you can tutor other students in a subject, or be a mentor. Working with others can make a bigger impact than you know.

These are only a few service projects for teens that can earn you service hours for high school credit or additional info on your resume. Think outside of the box, do something your passionate about, and talk to others for even more ideas! Service not only makes a difference for others, but it also has a lasting impact on yourself.

Contributed by Samantha Watkins

March 20, 2017 by The Young Leader

COSTA RICA – Spring Break Sea Turtle Initiative – April 16 – April 23, 2017

4.17.2017

Welcome to our program blog for our Spring Break Sea Turtle Initiative program in Costa Rica. We’ll be updating the blog occasionally when we receive new info from staff in-country.

This group photo was taken just moments ago. The group is off to Parismina within the hour!

4.18.2017

We woke up around 9am for breakfast yesterday, we had eggs, toasts with guava jam, cold iced tea, and watermelon.

After that we got ready for the organic farm tour owned by Jason. We saw many different varieties of fruits, vegetables and plants. We also were lucky enough to see iguanas, spider monkeys, and even a sloth!!!

After the farm tour, we had mentor group meeting, where we talked about how our first impressions about different cultures can be incorrect at times. Next we got to have free time on the beach where tons of pictures where taken and we even had a jam sesion with JP.

Around 5pm, volunteers from ASTOP came to talk to us about the biology of sea turtles and the importance of protecting them. Finally we went night patrolling on the beaches, hoping to protect sea turtle eggs, and after a couple of hours walking the beach with our guides we saw this beautiful Leatherback Turtle coming out of the water! We got to see how she prepared a hole in the sand for the nest, while we had to remain quiet in total silence. After she laid the eggs, we took them to the nursery so they can be protected from poachers until the little hatchlings are born.

-Caroline M., Trinity and Caroline R.

4.19.2017

Today we woke up and it was already scorching hot. We ate our breakfast of delicious fruit and homemade doughnuts and headed out on the ride to town.

In town, we arrived at Olga’s to get our fruit shakes. Troy and Kristina joined us and we drank the refreshing shakes.

Kristina gave the group a tour of Parismina, including the ASTOP Headquarters. After our tour we went to Yolanda’s to bake some coconut cookies with a few local kids. On our ride home, we picked up a few friends (or dogs, we should say) to bring back to home base.

Everybody ate lunch and had a group nap in the hammocks. We woke up and headed out for beach clean up and beach time! But it started to rain so we came home for cards and dinner. After a beautiful sunset and photo shoot, we had a mentor group session on Service and headed to bed.

It was a good day!

4.20.2017

After a long day in the town yesterday, we woke up and ate breakfast around 9am. Following a delicious breakfast of grilled cheese and fruit, we took a boat tour at the mangroves near Home Base.

We were lucky enough to see monkeys, sloths, a cayman and all different types of birds thanks to our boat driver Margarito. Although it was a scorching hot day, the breeze from the boat cooled us down.

After the boat ride, we went back to the Home Base and sat in the hammocks for some time. It was so hot, so before we went to the beach we played cards. Next we spent 1 hour on the beach and some of us sat in the water.

After we went for a walk along the beach to search for trash and clean it up to preserve the natural beach environment. Then we came back to Home Base and had a delicious dinner.

-Hope and Ella

4.22.2017

It’s our final night in Costa Rica!

From Parismina we stopped at a national park to go ziplining. We zipped through the rain forest across 11 different cables, one of which was almost half a mile long!

We then arrived in Alajuela, and sat down to our farewell dinner.

Tomorrow, we all head home, forever grateful to get to help protect Costa Rica’s turtles and meet each other.

It’s been an adventure! Pura Vida!

March 20, 2017 by The Young Leader

COSTA RICA – Spring Break Sea Turtle Initiative – April 9 – April 16, 2017

4.9.2017

Arrival Day!

Welcome to our program blog for our Spring Break Sea Turtle Initiative program in Costa Rica. We’ll be updating the blog occasionally when we receive new info from staff in-country.

Update: All students except for one have arrived in Costa Rica yesterday and were picked up by our staff in-country. Please not that the remaining student is expected to arrive later on today, and is therefore not featured in the group photos below.

4.11.2017

Today, we started off with a tour of the garden and spent some time playing a game call called ‘Cat and Mouse.’

A local woman – Christina – visited us after lunch to inform us about an organization called ASTOP, related to our mission in Costa Rica. They help protect and preserve the three main species of turtles on the Caribbean coast of the country. The leatherback, hawksbill and green sea turtles all nest on the beaches here.

On the tour we learned a lot about various plants and animals. We saw two sloths and a lot of huge iguanas! Jason also cut open coconuts for us to try.

We ended the day at the beach, where most of us went in the water.

-Amber, Victoria, Sylvia and Paige

4.13.2017

Last night we went for the first Night Patrol at the beach. In the beginning it was hard walking at the beach at dark, but after a while the full moon helped us see the way.

We learned on how to find turtles and we saw the path of a turtle that came out maybe an hour before but no luck on finding it.

For breakfast, we had ‘arepas’, scrambled eggs, and fruits. After breakfast, we went on a boat tour though the canals. On the tour, we found lots of monkeys, sloths, and birds such as herons. We even saw a cayman!

When we got back we had a delicious lunch and then some free time before we went to the beach to do service and clean up the trash. Back at the Home Base, we had some snacks and icies, and then we took a dance lesson! We learned the salsa, bachata, and cumbia.

After dinner, we got in mentor groups in order to reflect about the day and the service we are doing here for the community.

Later, the group was playing games and all of the sudden we were told there was a turtle on the beach nesting, not far from our Home Base! We got ready in less than 5 minutes, got our flash lights and went to the beach so excited about the news, and when we got to the place, there it was: a giant leatherback turtle laying eggs in the middle of the night!

We sat around the turtle and quietly appreciated the beautiful turtle and the peacefulness of the moment.

4.13.2017

Today we walked over 30 minutes from the lodge to town to visit the sea turtle hatchery and get a tour of Parismina town. There we met locals and saw their way of life from their churches to their schools and even their soccer field.

Afterwards, we returned to the lodge by boat along the river. We then had lunch and continued our beach clean up, where we accumulated over 10 more big bags of trash.

Later, we splashed around at the beach and had mentor groups, where Paz, JP and Sophie spoke to us about service and how it has impacted their lives and can potentially impact ours.

After, we all bonded over playing cards and talking in the hammocks while waiting for dinner. We ate dinner and then went on night patrol at the beach and hoped to see another Leatherback turtle lay eggs like the night before.

-Annia, Bianca, Carter and Julia S.

4.14.2017

Last night when we were on our night patrol we were lucky enough to see a Leatherback turtle and a Green turtle! We watched one of them dig her nest and lay her eggs; a few of us were fortunate enough to be able to pet the Green turtle, and it’s an experience we will never forget.

During the morning we walked to the town of Parismina and learned how to cook ‘cajeta’, a coconut and cinnamon sweet. Afterwards, we visited a local art craft fair where the people living there brought some jewelry and decorations that they made.

We spent a lot of time with local kids in the soccer field. Wepksyed many different games and got to teach them how to play it, such as ‘duck, duck, goose’ in Spanish. After that we had a snack with the kids indoors due to the rain. After our popsicle snacle, we walked to a local family owned restaurant to by delicious coconut, pineapple, watermelon and guanabana smothies.

We are looking forward to another night patrol tonight and hope to see more turtles.

-Mary, Daria, Ivy and Joshua

4.15.2017

After 5 days in Parismina, we are back in Alajuela for one night before students begin flying back to the US in the morning. Our ride home started with a 10 minute boat ride to Caño Blanco and a 2 hour bus ride to Costa Rica Adventure Park, where students went ziplining in the rain.

Today’s weather definitely put the “rain” in rainforest! Upon our return to Alajuela, we enjoyed one last meal together and recalled the fun and the challenging moments of the past week.

What an adventure we had! Hasta la próxima!

March 20, 2017 by The Young Leader

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Spring Break Service Adventure – April 15 – April 22, 2017

4.16.2017

We enjoyed teaching people and practicing how to make fried plantains. We also liked listening to everyone’s opinions about the skills we developed today, and creating the next day’s schedule.

Helping build the house today was a great experience because we saw a different side of life that we otherwise wouldn’t be exposed to. Seeing the many children enthusiastically helping out by mixing cement, putting cement on the walls, or assisting each student was eye-opening to this culture. It gave us a good understanding to have to carry buckets , as it helps build character and exposes us to the hardships that the people in this community have to overcome everyday.

We participated in a mix of cultural activities by both helping build the house and cooking the plantains (tostones). This successful day helped us to create an enthusiastic and inspired mentality that we will be able to carry for the next week on this trip.

Already, we can see that the behavior and level of participation has improved today just by the aura and energy that each person brings to the group; we all have different assets that allow us to work as a team and get the job done, such as helping to finish building the bottle house.

We are lucky to have such solidarity and inclusiveness among the people in our group, and we know that it will help us all throughout the trip.

Photo to come!

4.17.2017

We wanted to share a photo of our group with everyone!

4.17.2017

Today we spent the day in Severe. Our team painted several rooms in the local school. During our time there we got to interact with a lot of the young children. It amazed us how happy these kids were with the little they had. They were singing, dancing and laughing the entire time.

After we finished work at the school, we headed over to a market in a small town nearby. They sold small homemade jewelry. This really opened up our eyes to differences in the ways that we live.

Once we returned to the base we got the opportunity to learn how to make sweet-beans. Sweet-beans is an important aspect of Dominican culture during Easter. It is made by blending boiled beans and milk together and then adding other sweet ingredients.

In the end of the day everybody learned something about Dominican culture opened up their eyes to the families that lived there.

4.18.2017

Today we got up at 7 am to attempt some beach yoga. After that we had an amazing breakfast.

We then go on the bus for a short ride to the Bottle House. We all worked hard on putting the cement on some of the walls, while the rest of our team cut the wires and placed bottles in behind the wires.The service project is really coming together!

For lunch we had baked chicken, rice and beans, yuka and salad. After lunch we went back to working on the houses until it was time to leave.

When we got back from the bottle house we went to the beach until it started raining. We came back from the beach, showered and then a few of us got our hair braided by the local people. Some of the girls got back from the hair braiding session and decided to hang a hammock in one of the rooms.

By 6 everyone was ready for dinner. The team lined up for a wonderful dinner, and sat and bonded while devouring the delicious burritos. We listened to a lecture on the history of the Dominican republic and discussed a video that we had watched the night before. We then listened to and admired Walner’s amazing story of his past and struggles in the Dominican republic.

We broke up into mentor groups to discuss the stories we had just heard, and to really realize what we were hearing about the rough Dominican Republic government, and discussed how we could try and attempt at making the world a better place. We learned today that the Haitians are not considered citizens even if they were born there. We also discussed among groups how we all would like to help with the government and the communities in need.

4.19.2017

Today we had our fun day! The 14 of us attended Dudu.

Dudu is a sinkhole with a zip line across it and a series of caves. The water was crystal clear and very deep. Almost everyone in the group went on the zip line. Basically, you hold on to the handles then fly out into the middle of the sink hole and drop into 85ft deep water. It was a blast!

In between all the swimming we played games such as soccer and volleyball while others chose to partake in tanning. At noon we had a delicious lunch prepared locally by the staff of Dudu. Then after lunch we continued to swim, jump and tan.

Later that day we headed back to home base and had dinner. We ended the night strong with a good discussion about the seven elements to the basic needs of survival. The Seven Elements are made up of Political, Economical, Food, Health, Community, Individual and Environmental.

Then we split up into mentor groups to partake in our own discussions. After that it was off to bed. In all it was a great day! Looking forward to the next two days!

-Abbey Vince and Riana Dunko