School-Year Leadership Experiences
Designed for students in grades 8–12, these programs help teens develop leadership skills through hands-on learning, peer collaboration, mentorship, and community engagement. Our school-year programs challenge teens to think critically, lead confidently, and serve others.
Teen Leadership Programs are Open to All. No Membership Required. Financial Assistance Available.
Kids Night Out Teen Leaders
Grades and Location
Students entering grades 8-12 at the Pearl Street YMCA.
Fall Orientation Dates
Saturday, August 29, 2026 | Pearl Street Family YMCA from 10am-4pm
Registration for August Orientation opens on August 15 and closes August 28, 2026
Saturday, September 12, 2026 | Pearl Street Family YMCA from 10am-4pm
Registration for September Orientation opens on August 15 and closes September 11, 2026
Winter Orientation Dates
Saturday, January 9, 2027 | Pearl Street Family YMCA from 10am-4pm
Registration for January Orientation opens on December 1, 2026, and closes on January 8, 2027.
How Responsibility and Teamwork Develop Leadership Skills
Kids Night Out (KNO) Teen Leaders help bring each event to life at the Pearl Street Family YMCA, serving as group leaders, unit leaders, or support staff one Saturday each month. Open to grades 8–12, participants receive training, feedback, and mentorship to support their growth.
Interested teens must attend a required orientation before participating.
Being a Kids Night Out Teen Leader is extremely beneficial for anyone who has the ambition and community spirit to help uplift others.
Expand your leadership skills, amplify your personal growth, make a difference in the lives of people around you, and have fun working with elementary school kids.
"I love being a volunteer for Kids Night Out because it means I get to work with these kids and give parents a break for one night for several hours. It’s also an amazing chance to let out your inner child again.” - Sirena Jove, KNO Teen Volunteer
Youth and Government
Grades and Location
Students entering grades 8-12.
Tacoma Delegation
Location: Lakewood Family YMCA
Meeting Details: Tuesday Evenings from 6-7pm
Pearl Street Delegation
Location: Pearl Street Family YMCA
Meeting Details: Monday Evenings from 6-7pm
2027 Conference Dates
Wednesday, May 5 to Saturday, May 8, 2027.
Registration Dates
Registration opens August 15, 2026, and closes on January 29, 2027.
Program Fee: $575
Payments may be made on a monthly draft or paid in full upon registration.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance at the Y makes our programs accessible to all, regardless of income.
Where Leadership, Public Speaking, and Advocacy Begin
Youth and Government (YAG) is different from traditional classroom civics. This hands-on, non-partisan, civic engagement program provides students with an up-close and personal look into how our state government works by running in their own model legislative session in our state’s capital.
Participants build skills to prepare for the annual YMCA Youth Legislature Conference through delegation meetings and district and state events. The program culminates in May, where teens take on roles across state government: executive leaders, legislators, lobbyists, and press.
What Delegates Will Learn In Youth and Government
Enhance leadership skills and advocate through the legislative process
Learn careful deliberation skills about social issues and their possible resolutions
Find a deeper understanding of how the role they play is important to government
Learn public speaking competence, problem-solving ability, and communication skills
Hear and respect varying viewpoints along with collaboration skills
Build self-confidence, reliance, and a sense of purpose.
Youth Leadership Development Club
Grades and Location
Students entering grades 8-12 meet at the Pearl Street Family YMCA on Thursday evenings from 6-7pm.
Registration Dates
Registration opens August 15, 2026, and registration closes on January 31, 2027.
Program Fee: $100
Payments may be made on a monthly draft or paid in full upon registration.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance at the Y makes our programs accessible to all, regardless of income.
Helping Teens Lead with Confidence and Purpose
The Youth Leadership Development Club is open to teens in grades 8-12 and is designed to empower youth in a supportive and inclusive environment that allows teens to explore their passions, discover their strengths, and develop essential leadership skills. Everyone has unique talents and can create change, and we aim to help them realize their full potential.
Connect With Us to Learn More About Teen Leadership
Contact
Don Brevik, Association Youth and Government Director
Phone: 253-460-8822
Email: dbrevik@ymcapkc.org