Youth Leadership Camp

The Youth Leadership Camp (YLC) is an annual four-week leadership program for deaf high school students which has been operating in the United States as a non-profit organization for nearly four decades.

Youth Leadership Camp activities are conducted in American Sign Language. YLC programs stress personal responsibility and accountability, organizational skills, team building, higher education and employment in its mission of scholarship, leadership and citizenship among deaf youth.

The YLC is accredited by the American Camp Association and is associated with the Lions Club in the states of Oregon and Washington.

Youth Leadership Camp applicants are evaluated in terms of academic standing, character, leadership potential, and involvement in school and community. Applicants must submit an essay and letters of recommendation in a process similar to selective college admission procedures.

;YLC Locations
*1969: Pine Lake Camp in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania in The Poconos
*1970-1989: Swan Lake Lodge in Pengilly, Minnesota
*1990-2002: Camp Taloali in Stayton, Oregon
*2003: Camp Lakodia in Madison, South Dakota
*2004: Sertoma Camp Endeavor in Dundee, Florida near Winter Haven
*2005-present: Camp Taloali in Stayton, Oregon

;SponsorsSponsors of deaf youth leadership programs such as the YLC include:
* California State University, Northridge and its [http://ncod.csun.edu/about/ National Center on Deafness]
* Communication Service for the Deaf
* Gallaudet University and its Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
* Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf
* National Association of the Deaf (United States)
* Rochester Institute of Technology and its National Technical Institute for the Deaf

References

* [http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/InfoToGo/142.html 2006 Summer Camp Guide] of Gallaudet University's Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
* [http://www.nad.org/ylchistory History of the Youth Leadership Camp]
* [http://www.michdhh.org/youth/youth_leadership_camp.html Leadership Camps] for Deaf Youth

ee also

* PEN-International
* Project Insight

External links

* [http://www.taloali.org/ Camp Taloali website.]
* [http://www.iadeaf.org/nad_news.htm Illinois Association of the Deaf] on "what's so special about NAD YLC." Quotes:: "YLC has graduated over 2,000 alumni. Many NAD YLC alumni have become leaders and advocates for the deaf and hard of hearing community."
* [http://dntv.deafnation.com/t/dntv.asp?articleid=361&zoneid=12 DeafNation road trip] by two former YLC campers included a visit to YLC. Quotes:: "The Youth Leadership Camp has been a staple in developing the Deaf youth of America. Almost anyone in the Deaf community could name someone who has gone to the camp."
* [http://www.i711.com/my711.php?tab=2&article=84 Discussion of costs and merits of YLC and other deaf youth leadership camps] on the i711.com Video Relay Service website.