Do your kids have an interest in medicine, law, national security?

My 16 year old is interested in the CIA.  So, this spring he will attend the National Youth Leadership Forum in Washington, D. C.. In case you have a child interested in leadership, national security, medicine, law or crime scene investigation I want to let you know about this amazing opportunity.  The information below is from the forum's website.

"STUDENTS EXPLORE U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY DURING SPRING FORUM
National Youth Leadership Forum Provides Insight into U.S. Diplomacy, Intelligence and Defense.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This spring, outstanding high school students from across the United States will take part in a unique career development program in our nation’s capital. During the six-day program, the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security (NYLF/NS): Exploring American Diplomacy, Intelligence and Defense will introduce students to the challenging careers in national security, intelligence, the diplomatic corps and more.

“Imagine being 16 or 17 years old and the responsibility of securing the United States at home and abroad rests on your shoulders. Through specialized simulations, the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security strives to put students in the driver’s seat of building a strategy that will uphold our national security,” said Dr. Marguerite Regan, Dean of Academic Affairs for NYLF. “The combination of interacting with professionals and with other students in this setting ensures that leaders are being developed
so the future of our country will remain very bright.”

The curriculum for the Forum on National Security is based on actual world events. Throughout the program, students use critical thinking, leadership and public speaking skills to tackle the complexity of national decision-making as they examine how the U.S. plans for peace and prepares for crisis. They employ a crisis decision-making process similar to that employed by the nation’s top policy makers. Students also participate in thought-provoking question and answer sessions with highly respected, internationally recognized civilian policy makers and senior military personnel. In addition, leading institutions open their doors to Forum on National Security students, where they are educated in diplomacy, international affairs and military strategy. In the past, students have explored several government institutions and military installations, including the Pentagon, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Development Command at Quantico, the Central Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Naval Academy, a variety of embassies and many others.

Founded in 1992, the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) is an educational organization established to help prepare extraordinary young people for their professional careers. Forums are offered in 14 cities across the United States in a wide variety of career fields, such as national security, law and medicine. Over 50,000 young people have attended NYLF programs.

For additional information, visit us at www.nylf.org." (click here for  NYLF website)

 Students can earn one college credit after attending the forum!

The National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security: Exploring American Diplomacy, Intelligence and Defense has partnered with nationally ranked George Mason University to offer one college credit to our attending scholars! George Mason University was featured in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Colleges 2009" ranking as the number one national university on its list of "up-and-coming schools."

Click here to view a mind-boggling sample schedule for the forum!  

 Until a few months ago I didn't know anything like this existed.  Please share with others who may be interested.

Do you know of other opportunities like this?  If so, please share it, and other opportunities for high schoolers, in the comment section!

7 Tools Book Club: Leadership and Communication

The Question
You know when people ask you, "What do you do?"

You may have been a rocket scientist, or maybe a teacher, or an Army nurse practitioner like me.

But now you are a...um...a mom.  Does anyone say just, "I'm a mom" when they answer that question?  I try to, but it's hard to end it there and not try to qualify it with..."I'm a homeschool mom."  Or, "I'm retired from the Army."  Or, whatever.

The Answer
Years ago, long before I had kids, my very capable, intelligent friend who was also an Army nurse, and had 2 or 3 small children, replied to the above question with an answer that I thought was brilliant, "I'm raising the next generation of leaders."  Period.  No explanation.  She never mentioned she was an esteemed captain in the United States Army. 

I loved her answer.

Do you?  Here's what Zan says in her book:

"We want our homes to be effective, intensive leadership training centers."  (pg. 181)

What is leadership? 

"Taking initiative to use your gifts to influence the world, improve and empower the lives of others, and bring glory to God in the process." (pg. 175)

King Belshazzar was King Nebuchadnezzar's successor and when mysterious finger's of a man's hand began writing on the wall of the king's palace, Belshazzar was scared to death.  He summoned Daniel when none of his wise men could interpret the writing.  Daniel read it and gave the bad news to the king.

Here are Daniel's leadership qualities according to Zan (pg. 177-178):

• had the spirit of the holy gods in him
• he was smart
• he used his intelligence to help others
• his character was sterling
• he exhibited great courage and faith in the midst of adversity
• he openly acknowledged God and gave Him the glory for his success

What was the secret to Daniel's success?

• saying "no" to temptation
• he had knowledge and wisdom in every kind of literature and wisdom
• he prayed and sought God
• demonstrated respect and discernment in dealing with others
• he was levelheaded
• he served those around him

Daniel's life makes an excellent study in leadership.  We want our kids to dare to be like Daniel.  Our homes are their training centers. 

Leadership does not need to focus in the political realm.  It should be focused on where our kids' gifts are...on where their bent is (like she said in the first chapter). 

What about Communication?
Zan's mention of the importance of good communication is brief. 

The bottom line?  "Children who grow up in families who communicate well will usually be good communicators."  They learn from observing you communicate with them. 

I have two things to say about that. 

1. Make sure your children are comfortable speaking in public!  There is a Toastmasters program for children, there are numerous speech and debate clubs for homeschoolers, and the Boy Scouts have public speaking requirements to complete.  All are superb ways to learn and/or enhance public speaking skills.
2. Good communication can trump other assets such as stellar grades.  Here is one example of why I say that.  

 A few years ago my husband attended a conference with influential American leaders, both military and civilian.  One of the attendees was a CEO of a large, powerful business.  This man told my husband that he hires the well-rounded college graduates with good communication skills who get along well with others who may, or may not, have top grades.  He said these people are masters at interacting with others and they will in turn hire the straight A students to do the math and technology work that needs to be done.  The straight A students work for the good communicators. 

How do you develop leadership and communication skills
 in your children?