Future Presidents of American Youth Leadership Camp in Springfield

Free week-long day camp providing young leaders ages 13 to 16 an opportunity to develop new skills and learn about the exceptional qualities of character that make for great presidents and great leaders

Join the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) for “Future Presidents of America” day camp from June 10 to 14. Camp will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To help with drop-off schedules, staff will be on site 30-minutes before the start and end of each session.

This innovative youth leadership camp will focus on developing individual confidence, civic literacy and good citizenship. Participants will learn about the exceptional qualities of character that make for great presidents and great leaders, gain new skills and engage in problem-solving that could change our communities.

Using the Constitution of the United States, President Abraham Lincoln, and the principles of civic discourse, students will have fun:

• Expanding their knowledge on the characteristics of a good citizen and identifying opportunities for current and future civic engagement.
• Exploring key leadership qualities and learning how to apply them to real-world tasks.
• Building personal skills such as public speaking, critical thinking and personal expression.
• Investigating how rights and citizenship have evolved over the years through the lens of the presidency.

Camp highlights will also include:

• A formal etiquette luncheon and alumni reception with former camp participants
• Hands-on activities, fun games, and team-building activities
• The opportunity to engage state legislators, community leaders, and local businessmen and women
• Field trips to the Old State Capitol and Oak Ridge Cemetery
• Historian-facilitated tours of the museum and an artifact show-and-tell
• A formal reception with your parents and peers to celebrate your achievements during the week

The week-long camp is designed for individuals ages 13 to 16 years old.

If your child is selected to attend, they will receive a full scholarship to attend the camp ($500 value) covering all educational materials and meals. Participants must attend all camp sessions.

Visit the ALPLM website for more details about the Future Presidents of America camp.

Apply for the Future Presidents of America camp online. Applications are due on May 10. Space is limited to 20 young leaders.

For questions, please contact the education department at ALPLM.Education@illinois.gov or call Abigail Bussey at (217) 782-2981.