What is HOBY?
This year, thousands of high school students like you will attend HOBY programs, including Community Leadership Workshops, U.S. State Leadership Seminars and the World Leadership Congress. We will present multiple viewpoints on important issues and encourage you to think critically about leadership, in addition to identifying your own particular leadership strengths. The youth participants, referred to as “HOBY Ambassadors,” will enjoy experiential learning in the forms of:
- Inspiration from keynote speakers
- Interaction with community leaders from education, government, business, media and the non-profit sector
- Participation in community service projects that impact the lives of those in need
- Leadership games and activities helping you to develop skills in organization, communication, problem solving and goal setting
- Lasting bonds with other HOBY participants based on shared values, goals and experiences
- And FUN!!!
What you get out of the program will correlate directly with your level of participation in the activities—so come prepared to interact!
The following HOBY programs are currently offered. Please contact your high school counselor to find out how you can participate.
For high school freshmen in the United States
The Community Leadership Workshop (CLeW) is a one-day introductory HOBY leadership session for high school freshmen. CLeWs provide you with face-to-face interaction with distinguished leaders from all walks of life. You will participate in team-building activities, take part in a community service project, and listen to presentations given by motivational speakers and local community leaders. High schools are invited directly by the local CLeW planning committees to select freshmen students to attend. If you are currently a high school freshman, ask your high school counselor or principal if your school has been invited to participate in a CLeW taking place in your local community this year.
For high school sophomores in the United States
Known as HOBY’s flagship program, the U.S. State HOBY Leadership Seminars are designed for high school sophomores to recognize their leadership talents and apply them in becoming effective, ethical leaders in their home, schools, workplace and community. Participants need not have attended a CLeW to attend a Leadership Seminar. Currently, nearly 9,000 sophomores, representing as many high schools nationwide, attend HOBY Leadership Seminars each year. The seminars provide a high level of energy, encouragement and motivation, as well as interaction with peers, panelists and volunteers to nurture your future leadership roles. In addition, you will participate in hands-on leadership activities and meet state leaders in such as areas as business, government, education, media and the non-profit sector. Each September, every public, private and charter high school in the country is invited to select and register an outstanding sophomore as their representative to their local state seminar. There are approximately seventy Leadership Seminars held each spring throughout the United States. Find out more about this spring’s seminar schedule and ask your school counselor or principal how you can apply to be your high school’s HOBY Ambassador.
For high school sophomores in the United States and overseas students age 15-17
Upon completing a U.S. State HOBY Leadership Seminar, high school sophomores have the opportunity to advance to HOBY’s next level of leadership programs known as the World Leadership Congress (WLC). The week-long intensive educational program is held every summer in Washington, D.C. Approximately 400 students representing 20 countries attend this annual international program comprised of speaker panels, interactive workshops, field trips, and more. The WLC is HOBY’s oldest program and the only one also open to international students. Overseas students who would like to attend the WLC must be age 15-17, with demonstrated leadership potential, have a reasonable understanding of English, and be accompanied by a chaperone. You will emerge from the WLC more mature, cognoscente of the world around you, and ready to make meaningful contributions to your communities. Learn more about the upcoming WLC.
For overseas students age 15-17 studying in the United States
In partnership with AYUSA, HOBY offers its leadership development programs described above to AYUSA students who are between the age of 15 and 17 and studying in the United States. Each of these programs will offer you the skills necessary to have a positive impact on your home, school, work place and community—during your stay in the United States, or in your native country. AYUSA students may attend HOBY programs on a space available basis and fees do apply. For more information, please contact Noora Elkoussy, HOBY Director of International Programs at (310) 474-4370 ext. 311 or e-mail her at elkoussyn@hoby.org.
Once you attend a HOBY program, you become eligible for numerous opportunities that are exclusively available to HOBY alumni. Search a listing of volunteer opportunities, leadership and educational programs, scholarships and grants.