Youth Leadership Henry is an annual program sponsored by the Henry County Chamber of Commerce.   The purpose of Youth Leadership Henry is to identify emerging leaders, to bring them together in an atmosphere conducive to the free exchange of ideas, and to provide them with an enlightening educational experience.  Participants are taught leadership skills while learning about the various government, economic and social sectors of the community.  Upon completion of the program, participants will have an increased awareness of the vital issues and needs of the community and challenged to be responsible and engaged leaders.

The Youth Leadership Henry program begins with a Reception/Orientation night in October for the class participants and their guests to meet the Board of Directors and begin the enriching experience.  The Teambuilding Day in November is a fun, action-packed event that will energize and motivate the class to fully maximize the leadership development experience.  The class will then participate in an all-day session each month from December through the month of March.  The skills and lessons learned throughout the year are put to work in assisting the adult Leadership Henry class in the planning and operation of the Hands on Henry event in April.   The class will participate in an evening Graduation ceremony in May. All class meetings are held outside school hours to ensure school attendance is not compromised, except the visit to the State Capitol, which is an excused educational field trip for Henry County Schools participants.

Attendance at the Reception/Orientation night, Teambuilding Day and Hands on Henry events is essential to gain the full benefit of the program; therefore, attendance is mandatory at these events. 

Attendance at the four monthly programs is mandatory.  Any student with more than one absence will not receive a certificate of completion in May.  All participants may attend the graduation.  Participants will be allowed to make-up one missed program by attending a Henry County Board of Commissioners Meeting or Henry County Board of Education Meeting and preparing a one-page essay, typed and single-spaced or two pages handwritten.  The essay must be presented to the Youth Leadership Henry Board of Directors no later than 1 week prior to Graduation.

Participants are carefully chosen through a process conducted by the Youth Leadership Henry Board of Directors.  Each class is limited; therefore, you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.  The program fee is $100.00 per person.  This cost helps defray expenses including lunches, graduation dinner, and transportation and is due immediately upon receipt of acceptance to the class.  Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2011-2012 class. Please check back in Spring 2012 for details on how to be a part of our 2012-2013 class.

Thank you for your interest in the Youth Leadership Henry Program.