Junior Leaders Program

The Junior Leaders Program is a yearlong leadership experience for students who want to expand their outdoor skills, deepen their personal development, and take on meaningful roles within The Woods Project community. From September through July, Junior Leaders participate in monthly workshops, service projects, and exclusive weekend trips that strengthen confidence, communication, and leadership skills.

Throughout the year, students engage in leadership development sessions, community service and environmental stewardship projects, college and career readiness programming, and team-based challenges. Junior Leaders also have a voice in shaping the projects and events they pursue, ensuring the program reflects their interests and goals.

Past activities have included service work with partner organizations, public speaking workshops, citywide fundraisers, environmental restoration projects, and overnight camping trips.

Program Mission

The Junior Leaders Program provides young leaders with greater opportunities to explore nature while enhancing critical traits and growing strong relationships and leadership skills in order to create role models for The Woods Project. (Drafted by JLP ‘24)

The program culminates with two advanced summer trip opportunities: a two week sea-kayaking expedition in the Apostle Islands or a ten day backpacking experience at Donner Pass.

Apostle Islands Sea Kayaking Expedition

JLP students may choose a two-week sea kayaking expedition in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore of northern Wisconsin. The area features sandstone sea caves, historic lighthouses, and clear freshwater coastlines. Participants learn expedition paddle skills, navigation, campsite management, teamwork, and safe travel over open water. The trip challenges students physically and mentally while building resilience, confidence, and strong group cohesion.

Donner Pass 10-Day Backpacking Expedition

Students may alternatively choose a 10-day backpacking trip through Donner Pass and the surrounding Sierra Nevada. This route includes alpine lakes, granite ridges, forested valleys, and historic trails. Participants practice long-distance trekking, map-and-compass skills, backcountry cooking, group decision-making, and risk awareness while developing leadership and independence.

Leadership, College, and Career Connections

As part of our commitment to expanding opportunity, JLP provides access to additional leadership, academic, and professional pathways. These include:

  • Nomination for the Posse Foundation
  • Support with college access programs including QuestBridge
  • NatureBridge Armstrong Scholars program
  • Academic, environmental, and conservation-focused internships
  • Career panels with professionals in natural resources, conservation, and environmental sciences
  • Resume development, scholarship exploration, interview practice, and financial literacy workshops

The goal is to equip students with the skills, networks, and confidence to pursue opportunities beyond high school.

Service and Environmental Stewardship

Junior Leaders engage in hands-on service projects throughout the year, often in partnership with local conservation organizations. Projects have included aquatic planting, water quality monitoring, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, and trail rehabilitation. Through these activities, students develop environmental awareness, teamwork, responsibility, and a deeper sense of connection to their local outdoor spaces.

Outdoor Skill Building

Students gain experience through exclusive weekend trips and environmental field experiences. These trips prepare students for expedition travel and build skills such as:

  • Backpacking fundamentals
  • Navigation and map reading
  • Paddling skills
  • Outdoor cooking and food prep
  • Leave No Trace Ethics
  • Group leadership and decision-making

These experiences allow students to take on more responsibility and grow into confident leaders.

2025 Junior Leader Highlights
  • 209 total JLP experiences completed in a single program year
  • Student-designed events including a Telethon Fundraiser that raised more than $6,000
  • Students incorporated feedback from prior cohorts to improve JLP programming
  • Successful partnership events with Armand Bayou Nature Center and Galveston Bay Foundation
  • 8 Junior Leaders finalists for the Posse Foundation Scholarship
  • 2 JLP students selected for the NatureBridge Armstrong Scholars Program
  • Increased student independence and leadership across weekend programming