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Questions and Answers

Questions:

Don't see your question here?  Want more information?  Please contact us.

Answers:

Why Student Leadership?

It takes more than desire to become a leader. It is easy to WANT to make a difference, and much harder to actually make a difference. We believe that STUDENT leadership is the key to making schools safe and more comfortable. Students working with students is the key element to foster inclusion and acceptance.

The challenges that face student leadership are inclusion, acceptance, respect, belonging and expectations. Running dances, putting on rallies, staging spirit events, working at car washes, putting on Homecoming - are all vehicles that leaders utilize. Those events do not define student leadership.

Does SLTP teach skills to use in the "real world" ?

Our program does teach life skills, but they are all skills that you can use in your life right now.  We strive to connect everything we teach to your life in your school today.  Students live in a very real world, so our conferences prepare you for today and tomorrow.

Isn’t leadership actually a set of traits you are born with?

That is a widely held misconception. Leadership is a combination of skills and qualities that can be learned. Acquiring these skills and qualities means practicing them. Included among the most fundamental skills are: the ability to listen, personal organization, effective communication, personal and group goal setting, cooperation and acceptance. These skills go hand in hand with the essential qualities of leadership: positive attitude sharing, mutual respect, proactivity and the desire to make things better.

Does everyone learn the correct way to lead at SLTP?

If you mean that we teach everyone to be one type or style of leader - NO! Leadership styles or methods must vary from situation to situation. Leaders should be able to recognize the needs of the group they work with, and should allow their “style” to fit their situation.

Which ones are Day Conferences?

The ReEnergizer (REE), the InterLead , and the Core (for Teachers and Advisers).

Which ones are Residential Conferences?

The Leadership Training Conferences (LTC) are 5 days / 4 nights.  The Advanced Leadership Conferences (ALC) and The Leadership Center (TLC) are 4 days / 3 nights.  The START Conference, Leadership in Athletics, Adviser Training and Certification, and Officer Training Seminar (OTS) are 2 days / 1 night.

Is this a student council camp?

No, SLTP is open to any students who want to learn about how to make a difference in their schools and communities.  Many of our students are members of student councils, however SLTP is not limited to accommodate any particular student group.  Leadership is not limited to any one group in a school or community, nor can student leaders be defined as such simply because they belong to particular groups.  Our program seeks to reach as many students as possible, so we look for ways to include everyone.

Is this a “camp” or a "conference” ?

The term “camp” creates a word picture of arts and crafts, canoeing on a lake, bows and arrows and other aspects of a recreational program. While our program is fun filled, we have a much greater sense of purpose that mere social goals or recreation.  So we use the term conference as that best explains our educational mission.

What do you do all day?

We begin early, we end late, and we’re busy from start to finish. Students and staff are immersed in the leadership experience.  Part of the day is in classrooms -- but wow, what classrooms!  The classes aren’t about note taking or lectures -- the classrooms are about DOING.  Then there is the Group Experience -- working closely with a smaller group to fully experience the total effect.  You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, you’ll smile, you’ll plan, you’ll work, you’ll make new friends an you’ll grow.

Will this look good on my resume or college applications?

If that is your only reason for attending, please stay home. Yes, it is true that colleges and scholarship committees look with favor on leadership training experiences. Please attend for other “selfish” reasons. Please attend because you want to improve your self, not because you wanted to improve the piece of paper that represents you.  For more information, see our Students section.

Can I attend more than one session?

Yes - each session has a different staff who will approach the curriculum differently with different activities and a different perspective.  For more information, see Conferences or Calendar.

Should I go to OTS or LTC?

Ideally attend both. If it is an “either - or” situation, we recommend going to LTC. Essential skills outweigh “nuts and bolts.” OTS will enable a student officer team to more effectively lead their organization, while LTC will enable and foster greater personal growth.

What should I bring?

Full information about what to bring, along with other forms, are usually mailed after June 15 for all of our summer conferences.  In general, you will need clothing for both indoor and outdoor activities (and it can be very cold indoors), bedding (pillows, sheets and blanket, or sleeping bag), towels, toiletries, an alarm clock, etc.  Again, full information will be in the delegate mailing.

What are the accommodations?

Delegates are housed in a college dormitory, two or three to a room with separate facilities for males and females. Staff are housed in the same dormitory dispersed for supervision. The dormitory is air conditioned and there is a private bath for every two rooms.  All delegates are required to bring towels, sheets, blankets and pillows.

How do I get there?

Our overnight conferences are all held at Nichols College in Dudley, MA.  Visit our directions page for details.

Can I leave early?

No, and you won't want to.  We pack so much in that you won't want to miss a minute.  Delegates are required to remain on campus for the entire duration of the conference, for both safety and curricular reasons.

Where do we eat and how is the food?

All meals are prepared and served by the Nichols College Food Services Staff.  Most are in the dinning hall, but we do have a cookout (weather permitting) one night.  The food is excellent, there is always plenty of it, and the staff takes good care of us.  There is always something available for vegetarians, but it is not expansive.