The early bird might get the worm, but local high school students immersed in real world leadership challenges are getting wings. Sophomores from five area high schools meet once a month to soak in the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens and learn another trait invaluable to effective leadership: the ability to work together in a community setting.
Teen Leadership
From 2006-2017, Incourage facilitated a unique, hands-on learning experience that reached 250 local high school sophomores.
Using the guiding principles from Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey, students studied one habit each month during their school year. Sessions centered on learning and applying these skills toward leadership and community involvement.
Students undertook one major community project, selected and executed by the class. Using their newly-honed Teen Leadership skills, they made decisions and worked together. In past community projects, teens:
planned a Senior Prom at a local assisted living community, 2017
planned an intergenerational activity day with seniors, 2016
added artistic elements to the Growing Friends Community Garden, 2015
cleaned, primed and painted 15 donated bikes for the first rural Bike Share program in Wisconsin, 2014
planted trees and shrubs as a vegetative buffer for the Two Mile Detention Pond, 2013
built seven Little Free Libraries for each community in the south Wood County area, 2012
developed a dog walking path at South Wood County Humane Society, 2011
built four portable table-top gardens that are used by low income, elderly and special needs individuals, 2010
restored the low ropes course at YMCA Camp Alexander, 2009
developed a classroom garden for children at Building Blocks Learning Center, 2008
planned a day of activities for Park Place adult day care clients, 2007
View a video from the Class of 2017’s community project:
In 2009, a grantmaking component was introduced. Teens reviewed and evaluated grant applications from local nonprofits that provided services for teens. The teen leaders then determined which organization received a $2,000 grant award. Past recipients include:
Central Wisconsin Literacy Council: Support basic English literacy, 2017
Midstate Independent Living Consultants: River Cities Clubhouse, an organization that helps residents with mental health issues, 2015
Wisconsin Coalition for Youth: Distracted Driving Kills, 2014
Boys & Girls Club of the Wisconsin Rapids Area: Keystone Leadership Challenge, 2013
North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board: Youth Job Center Open House & Resource Fair, 2012
Pittsville Area Historical Society: A Day at Scranton School, 2011
Junior Achievement: Job Shadowing program, 2010
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