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YADAPP Participation Levels
The YADAPP summer leadership conference utilizes six different levels of participation: Youth Participant, Adult Sponsor, Youth Leader, Junior Staff, Conference Intern, and Resource Officer. The main focus of the conference concerns the experience of the Youth Participants and Adult Sponsors. The remaining levels support and enrich this experience. The YADAPP summer leadership conference is a collaborative effort between each level.
All six levels are briefly described below.
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Youth Participants (Approximately 400)
Characteristics: 1st YADAPP; high school student; four participants/team
Youth Participants represent the largest and initial participation level for youth attending the summer leadership conference. As a team of four, Youth Participants attend YADAPP by representing any public or private secondary school; community organization; and/or local government agency.
YADAPP Youth Participants are:
- High school age youth
- Youth interested in making a difference in their schools and communities.
- Youth from leadership clubs/organizations such as SADD, SAVE, YOVASO, SGA, NHS, BETA, etc …
- Youth involved in community coalitions
- Youth working in the community through local community services boards or offices on youth
At YADAPP, all Youth Participant activities are focused towards developing the following skills:
- Structured Problem Solving
- Action Planning
- Communication
- Relationships
- Teamwork
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Adult Sponsors (Approximately 100)
Characteristics: Various YADAPPs; various roles; one adult sponsor/team
Adult Sponsors attend the summer leadership conference by accompanying a team of four Youth Participants. The purpose of the Adult Sponsor is to empower youth to become leaders in their school and community in the effort to promote safe schools and communities and to prevent alcohol and other drug use by their peers. Adult Sponsors are very important in helping these youth reach their full potential when returning back to their school and community.
YADAPP Adult Sponsors are:
- Adults interested in helping youth make a difference in their schools and communities
- Adults interested in working with a team of youth from their locality
- Teachers, School Administrators, School Counselors, Student Assistance Counselors, Club Sponsors
- School Resource Officers; School Security Officers
- Substance Abuse Counselors, Prevention Specialists, Community Workers
- Parents, volunteers, etc …
Adult Sponsors help guide their team of youth through the action planning (STAN planning) process as they develop an appropriate substance abuse and violence prevention activity. In addition, Adult Sponsors participate in their own separate leadership track where they are able to experience educational workshops and networking opportunities with state and local resources.
Adult Sponsor responsibilities include:
- Coordinating the participation and arrival of a team of Youth Participants
- Connecting Youth Participants with the resources they need to implement their substance abuse and violence prevention activity
- Modeling leadership for their Youth Participants
- Relationships
- Encouraging youth to make a difference in their school and community
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Youth Leaders (Approximately 40)
Characteristics: 2nd YADAPP; typically a high school senior/first year college student
Youth Leaders represent the second participation level for youth attending the summer leadership conference. Youth Leaders are former youth participants who apply to return to the summer leadership conference in order to model peer-to-peer youth leadership for a different class of youth participants.
Youth Leaders are often referred to as the heart and soul of the conference. They bring both energy and passion to motivate youth participants. Youth Leaders are expected to be role models, group facilitators, conflict managers, and leaders in striking a balance between work and play.
Youth Leader responsibilities include:
- Co-facilitating the activities of approximately 5 teams of youth participants (approximately 20 youth participants)
- Helping their individual teams develop presentations to a larger group
- Helping individual teams develop written action plans dealing with substance abuse and violence prevention
- Helping youth participants with leadership skill development within a team.
At YADAPP, all Youth Leader activities are focused towards developing the following skill areas:
- Group Dynamics
- Experiential Learning
- Leadership
- Relationships
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Junior Staff (Approximately 24)
Characteristics: 3rd or 4th YADAPP; typically a first or second year college student
Junior Staff represents the third participation level for youth attending the summer leadership conference. Junior Staff members are former Youth Leaders who apply to return to the summer leadership conference in order to model peer-to-peer youth leadership for a different class of youth participants.
Junior Staff members are often referred to as the backbone of the conference. They are seasoned YADAPP participants who bring experience, enthusiasm, and ideas to make the summer leadership conference truly youth-led. Junior Staff members are expected to be role models, group facilitators, conflict managers, and leaders in striking a balance between work and play.
Junior Staff responsibilities include:
- Facilitating the action planning process of approximately 5 teams of youth participants (approximately 20 youth participants)
- Selecting recipients of YADAPP mini-grants and the Wheeler Award
- Serving as Master of Ceremonies (MCs) for all general sessions
- Mentoring and training Youth Leaders and Youth Participants
- Many “behind-the-scenes” activities
At YADAPP, all Junior Staff activities are focused towards developing the following skill areas:
- Group Dynamics/Facilitation
- Experiential Learning
- Leadership
- Lesson Planning
- Process Planning
- Public Speaking
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Conference Interns (Approximately 5)
Characteristics: 5th YADAPP; typically a first year/second year college student
Conference Interns represent the fourth participation level for youth attending the summer leadership conference. Conference Interns members are former Junior Staff members who apply to return to the summer leadership conference in order to model peer-to-peer youth leadership for a different class of youth participants.
Conference Interns have participated in the summer leadership conference for four years. They are even more seasoned YADAPP participants who bring experience, enthusiasm, and ideas to make the summer leadership conference truly youth-led. Conference Interns are expected to “lead” the conference.
Conference Intern responsibilities include:
- Co-developing and training all Youth Leaders and Junior Staff members
- Co-developing all aspects of the action planning process (STAN planning)
- Co-developing conference events including Thursday night, free round workshops, and the Adult Sponsor track
- Mentoring and training Junior Staff members, Youth Leaders and Youth Participants
- Many “behind-the-scenes” activities
At YADAPP, all Conference Intern activities are focused towards developing the following skill areas:
- Group Dynamics/Facilitation
- Program Design
- Training Development
- Track Management
- Event Planning
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Resource Officers: (Approximately 15)
Characteristics: Various YADAPPs; various law enforcement officers
Resource Officers are invited to attend the summer leadership conference in order to provide and safe environment for all YADAPP participants while also serving as a resource for Youth Participants in the development of their action plans (STAN planning). Resource Officers provide security, law enforcement, transportation, and any assistance as needed throughout the conference.
Resource Officers serve as an important link between students and substance abuse prevention resources available in communities throughout the Commonwealth. Resource Officers assist Adult Sponsors, YADAPP staff, and local law enforcement in securing the safety and well being of all persons at the summer leadership conference.
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