THE SUMMER LEADERSHIP TOUR

Do you know a high school girl (9th -11th) who could benefit from an intensive leadership development program while traveling across the country? If yes, then attend one of the information sessions tomorrow for our “Think BIG!” Summer Leadership Tour. It’s a rewarding experience which includes, symposiums with women leaders, college visits, community service and daily leadership workshops. This year girls will visit: NYC, Stanford University, Hampton, Howard, Duke, North Carolina A&T and Bennett. Cultural activities include: Exploration of Dudley’s, Smithsonian and MLK monument in DC, Statue of Liberty tour, Off Broadway Play, a day with our partners at the Lower East Side Girls Club in NYC and a community service project with our D2F Chapter in Greensboro, NC. There are a few slots available for girls not currently enrolled in D2F programming.

The Summer Leadership Tour is an annual educational experience which has been offered to students for seven years. Each year 20-30 students participate in a week-long expedition which includes daily affirmations, leadership workshops, service learning/community service, college visits, learning assignments, a leadership symposium with professional women and a summit with local girls. The summit provides an opportunity for girls from two major US cities to express the realities and differences of their communities while recognizing similarities in their experiences. Afterward, girls can identify ways to keep in touch via social media. Previous summer tours have included girls’ symposiums with: Lower Eastside Girls Club (New York, NY), G.E.M.S. (Atlanta, GA), Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies (New Orleans, LA),Dangerfield Institute of Urban Problems (Los Angeles, CA). Participants of D2F programs are eligible and are selected based upon the following criteria:

– Active participation in Demoiselle 2 Femme after school program component
– Submission of Summer Leadership Tour application
– Written an essay on leadership and why they should be selected to attend the tour
– Letters of recommendation from school staff and community leaders
– Participate in a group interview with key D2F staff

In preparation for the tour, students participate in mandatory College Cafés facilitated by the College Coordinator on a bi-monthly basis throughout the school year. Workshops focus on college preparation, techniques for the ACT Examination, financial aid, assistance with college applications and developing a tracking system for participants at various levels in high school to complete high school requirements for graduation.

All Tour activities are centered on leadership skills and include the following events: college visits, service learning projects with local community based organizations, a summit with local girls, a women’s’ leadership symposiums, and cultural outings. Before departing for the tour, students receive ID badges, a leadership handbook, leadership shirts and tote bags. Students also complete a leadership tour pre-survey. During the leadership tour, morning activities include daily affirmations and a Leadership Word of the Day introduced by D2F staff. Students are infused with the attributes of the Word of the Day through educational movies, documentaries, group projects and photos facilitated by the designated staff member. Social media is also utilized as means of disseminating information to the community at large on events taking place during the tour.

To download the 2016 D2F Particpant application, click here.

To download the 2016 Non-Participant application, click here.