PLI offers innovative and inspiring programs, yet what makes our program unique are our leaders. Our desire is to have our leaders reflect the communities who use our programs by creating opportunities for diverse people to obtain high quality training, ongoing support, and practical leadership experience. PLI does this through our relationship with local schools and commitment from teachers.

Youth Lead! Teen Leadership Initiative developing the next generation of outdoor recreation leaders. PLI trains over 100 teenagers annually to lead our programs through partnerships with schools and classrooms. Developing the leadership skills necessary to facilitate a challenge course and lead our programs requires a commitment to the process of learning and adventure - Youth are given real leadership experience, job skills, school credit and new potential to be leaders in their own lives.

Developing outdoor recreation leaders for the future, PLI then hires and trains 8 – 12 youth, between the ages of 15 and 20, to work during the summer and into the academic school-year delivering PLI's programs. Beyond simple employment, these youth are exposed to the natural world, develop social and technical skills, and are trained with extraordinary leadership skills applicable to their life in general. Applications are sent out in April and interviews begin in May. The positions and the training starts June 18, 2006 . Contact the PLI office for details and application.

Youth Lead! training includes:

• 5-day challenge course training
• Play/game leadership principles
• Positive Youth Development
• Risk, comfort zone learning and positive behavior modeling
• PLI Camping camping skills
• Experiential activities such as river rafting and sea kayaking
• Ongoing personal development opportunities