JH Leadership Program

2023 Registration will open on Wednesday 2/1/2022 at 9:00 AM

Jackson Hole Leadership Program (JHLP) is a summer program for Teton County children grades 4th through 9th. The program teaches outdoor and problem-solving skills, as well as building positive peer relationships and effective communication. JHLP is open to all community youth.

With questions or for more information, contact us at leadership@tyfs.org.

“they learn about life…”

-Parent

Phase I

Phase I of our program, designed for boys and girls (5th/6th grade/ ages 9-12). This is a day program (with one overnight camping trip) in which children participate in a variety of games, team-building initiatives and fun outdoor activities. Our focus is to create a fun and meaningful summer opportunity that builds leadership, self-confidence and positive decision-making skills through experiential activities in the outdoors to aid participants during their transition to adolescence. JHLP operates on a “Challenge by Choice” philosophy, allowing campers to take on challenges that they are comfortable with in a safe context.

All JHLP leaders are CPR and First Aid certified, and have been trained in facilitation and safety at the Doug Walker Challenge Course, as well as various activities and team-building initiatives.

Ages 9-12
5 or 6 sessions throughout the summer

Monday: Games, icebreakers, and team-building initiatives at Mike Yokel Park. (approx. 8:30 am – 4:30 pm)
Tuesday: Low and high elements at the Doug Walker Challenge Course at TSS. (approx. 8:30 am – 4:30 pm)
Wednesday: Canoeing on String Lake in GTNP. (approx. 8:30 am – 4:30 pm)
Thursday: Overnight camping trip at the Crystal Creek campground in the GV. (approx. 8:30 am through overnight)
Friday: Head from the campsite to GTNP and hike to Taggart Lake, then back to town to meet up with families at a closing ceremony at Mike Yokel Park. (approx. 7 am – 5:30 pm)

Phase II

The challenge is increased for participants of our Phase II (7th-9th grade/ages 12-15) sessions. During these single-gender backpacking trips, participants spend five days and four nights exploring the valley’s beautiful back country while expanding their leadership skills and outdoor knowledge. This trip is highlighted by ending with a white water rafting trip, rock climbing adventure, or amazing ropes course.

Trip leaders have extensive knowledge of back country skills and etiquette and are selected based on their ability to encourage and support participants through this challenging experience. In order to provide a safe trip for your child, they are also CPR certified, have a minimum certification of Wilderness First Aid, and are trained in facilitation and safety on rock climbing and/or managing a Ropes Course.

Ages 12-15

Five-day, four-night overnight experiences, including a three-day, two-night backpacking trip and culminating in a guided whitewater rafting trip down to the Snake River Canyon, rock climbing adventure, or Ropes Course.

Summer 2023 Schedule

Date	Session	Phase	Availability
June 18-23, 2023	Session 1	Phase I (ages 9-12)	WAITLIST
June 26-29, 2023	Session 2	Phase I (ages 9-12)	WAITLIST
July 3-7, 2023	NO PROGRAMMING	NA	NA
July 10-14, 2023	Session 4	Phase I (ages 9-12)	WAITLIST
July 17-21, 2023	Session 5	Phase I (ages 9-12)	WAITLIST
July 24-28, 2023	Session 6	Phase I (ages 9-12)	WAITLIST
July 31-Aug 4, 2023	Girls Only	Phase II Backpacking Trail TBD (ages 12 to 15)	WAITLIST
August 7-11, 2023	Boys Only	Phase II Backpacking Trail TBD (ages 12 to 15)	WAITLIST
August 14-18, 2023	Co-Ed	Phase II Backpacking Trail TBD (ages 12 to 15)	Multiple spots available
August 21-25, 2023	Boys Only	Phase II Backpacking Trail TBD (ages 12 to 15)	Multiple spots available

REGISTRATION

Full Participation

Each Phase I session runs for five days, with one overnight camping trip on the Thursday evening of each week. In hopes of building a strong group culture over the course of the session, we ask that you select a session in which your child is able to participate for all five days. If there is a foreseeable scheduling conflict with a certain session, we ask that you select a different week in which your child will be able to participate fully.

Note to Parents regarding Phase II

Please be aware that although these trips can be a ton of fun, they are rigorous, asking participants to test their physical capabilities and mental fortitude to reach the top. They may not be right for everyone. Students will be away from their homes and families, sleeping outdoors for five days and four nights. During the hike, participants are responsible for carrying their own packs full of individual and group supplies for the duration of the journey and are also expected to assist in group tasks such as setting up camp, gathering firewood and filtering water. Although backpacking experience is not required, boys and girls should have a reasonable level of physical fitness to be able to meet the needs of this adventure. Before enrolling your son or daughter, we encourage you to have a discussion with him or her about what is entailed in being a part of JHLP’s Phase II program. With greater challenge, though, there is certainly greater reward, and little can match the sense of accomplishment that young people achieve when they complete this expedition.

First-come, First-served Registration

In recent years, JHLP has grown significantly in popularity resulting in a competitive application process. There is a limited number of spaces available in each session, and these are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration materials will be processed in the order that they are received- Due to our current location being under construction all registration is on-line.

Given the limited number of spaces and in hopes of making our program available to as many participants as possible, we can offer each child a space in no more than one session of programming per summer.

Choosing a Session

On the attached program application forms, we ask that you select your top three choices for sessions and rank them numerically (1, 2, and 3). If your first choice session reaches capacity prior to the time that your registration is processed, we will do our best to place your child in the second or third choice sessions.

Session Confirmations

There is a minimum number of participants that must register in each session in order for it to run. Once this number has been reached we will send out a message to all registered participants confirming your registration in the specified session.

Waiting List

With high volumes of registrants and a limited number of available spaces in each session, there may be instances in which we are unable to secure a space for your child in a specified session. If this is the case, we will maintain your application and contact information and add your child to a Waiting List for your session of choice. If there is a cancellation in the specified session, registrants on the Waiting List will be offered the space in the order that their application materials were received.

Cancellations

In registering for a particular session, we ask that you be certain your child will be able to participate in it. Once you have registered and received confirmation of your child’s space in the session you can cancel at no cost up until 30 days prior to the start date of that session. If you cancel after those 30 days your money will NOT be refunded. Concessions may be made in the case of medical issues or family emergency. Please contact the Program Coordinator in these situations.

PAYMENT INFORMATION

The Jackson Hole Leadership Program (JHLP) offers fun summer experiences in the outdoors for more than 160 young people each year. The purpose of JHLP is to improve children’s lives by helping them develop interests and skills while forming strong positive peer relationships.

We would like to continue to keep this program affordable and accessible to all families. In order to do so we ask that you reflect on what your family can afford and make a decision on the amount you will pay based on that. We do receive generous donations to help subsidize some of the cost to make this affordable to all families.

Why has an alternative cost been added to the Application Form?

By adding an alternative cost option, we hope to communicate the level of support each Leadership child receives and inspire families to support JHLP at Old Bill’s Fun Run or other fundraising events.

Scholarship Information

Many scholarships are available upon request, and we aim to serve all children who wish to participate. Please do not hesitate to apply, regardless of financial situation. In order to request a scholarship, please include the completed Youth Scholarship Request form with your registration materials. This form can be accessed at the TYFS offices or on our website.

Please note that your choice of payment options will not influence your child’s admission to the program.