• Developed in accordance with Youth Leadership Conference guidelines established by the Military Order of the World Wars.

• Sanctioned by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

• Affiliated with the National Sojourners, Inc, the Hugh O'Brien Youth (HOBY) Foundation, and the Joe Foss Institute.

• Sanctioned by the Adams State College of Colorado for High School students to receive elective, transferable college credits for participation in our four day Youth Leadership Conferences.

• Non-denominational and non-partisan.

To see this class' page, please click here

For their conference critique summary, please click here

Cost- Generous contributions by individuals and charitable organizations keeps the students' tuition low.  Tuition is $300, which includes all tours, meals and lodging, and program materials.   

Refund Policy concerning students who withdraw from the conference.  The Foundation must lock in its numbers with the Jamestown 4-H Education Center two week prior to the event start date and is charged for that number of students.  Alternate students are planned for and available, but if the original student's booking cannot be filled with an alternate, $100 of any tuition submitted must be retained to cover some of the lost costs.

Scholarships- Students or educators may wish to contact and solicit student tuition and/or transportation expenses from various charitable youth leadership and patriotic organizations in their community, such as Exchange and Ruritan Clubs, American Legion, Sojourners, MOWW, Kiwanis, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and others.

Please contact the Foundation for assistance in identifying organizational contacts in your area.

Our Chaperones and Volunteers are:

• Responsible citizens of our local communities.

• Fully vetted with an annual criminal background check.

• Required to take the Boy Scout of America's "Youth Protection Program" training.

• Additional chaperones above AIFCV's assigned staff will be charged $250 if they intend share our in room, board and tours.  Otherwise the nearest hotels & motels can be found by Googling Jamestown or Williamsburg, VA. 

• All Chaperones and Volunteers 18 years and older must comply with our requirements. 

• PLEASE SEE the attached PDF file for instructions by clicking here -> Volunteer Requirements 

Conference Goals

• Provide the students with a program to develop their leadership abilities.

• Develop teamwork.

• Provide the students with a greater understanding of the Colonial American quest for independence and to foster interest in the principles of freedom, justice, and liberty for all.

• Enhance devotion to and understanding of the American way of life as defined by the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.

Conference Size- The conference is currently limited to 45 students in order to enhance student/faculty interaction and to facilitate maximum participation in small group leadership exercises.  Students are accepted on a "space available" basis, and alternates are accepted from local area schools.

Conference Format- The Conferences are designed to provide a friendly and exciting student learning experience.  However, we purposely develop a jam-packed schedule of speakers, tours, and activities for the entire four day Conference.  Each Conference begins at 3 p.m. on Thursday and ends at 2 p.m. on Sunday.  Regularly scheduled are: 

· Leadership Training - Prominent national, state or local officials and/or business professionals focus on leadership principles.  Interaction with speakers, group discussions, and group leadership game challenges allow students to further develop leadership abilities and practice teamwork.  Also, there are have leadership speakers from the past.......

·  Colonial Virginian Interpreters - Students will meet historic Virginia leaders such as Gen. George Washington, Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Rolfe, Richard Henry Lee, Captain John Paul Jones, Chief Justice John Marshall, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson, etc., usually three such dignitaries per Conference.  These expert professional interpreters bring their characters to life as they weave leadership examples and perspectives throughout their storytelling and interaction with the students.  After each performance, the actors/actresses usually return “out of character” to answer questions, pose for pictures, and sign autographs.

· Historic Area Tours - Three guided study tours begin with the reconstructed Jamestown Settlement.  Next is Colonial Williamsburg, with focus on colonial government and businesses of the time.  Finally, the students visit the Yorktown Victory Center,  and the Yorktown Battlefield area where  American independence was won.

Closing Ceremony- Parents or guardians are cordially invited to attend the award presentation in the 4-H recreation building at 1:00 p.m. on the final day.  The students will be packed and ready to leave at 2:00 p.m.  Please bring your cameras.

Awards

·   Most Outstanding Leader  - Awardees name is inscribed on perpetual plaque

·   Outstanding Leader  (one male and one female).

·  The Bronze Patrick Henry Medal w/ certificate will be presented to one male and one female JROTC Cadet who demonstrated great leadership during the Conference.

· Superior Leader as Elected by their Peers- This award may, by coincidence, be awarded to one of the other awardees in this listing.

Sons of the American Revolution Citizenship Award - In cooperation with the local chapter, the SAR presents a certificate & medal to a student selected for their outstanding demonstration of citizenship.

 Best Leadership Group Award - Each member of the Group that wins overall the Group Leadership Challenges receives an appropriate plaque. 

 Other awards as determined by the staff

Accommodations- Students will be sleeping in two cabins – one for males and one for females.  Each cabin has 28 bunk beds and an adjoining 3 person chaperone room.  The cabins are air-conditioned or heated, as required, with showers and washing facilities.

What To Bring

• Pillow, bedding for a standard twin bed, or a sleeping bag.

• Toiletry items, washcloths, towels, soap, shower shoes.

• Camera, flashlight, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, and umbrella.

• No JROTC uniforms are required. 

• Jacket and any other gear for a cold November, or a cool, possibly rainy  April.

• $10 to $50 for memento shopping as time is available.

Dress Code - "Clean, Casual, and Respectable."

To help insure a comfortable and respectful environment conducive to learning, the Foundation has established a dress code:

• Casual clothing should be neat, comfortable, and modest.

• If you sunburn easily, select your clothes knowing we will be outdoors much of the time.

• Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the historic sites.

• If you have questions about the appropriateness of your attire, please see the Expectations and Dress Code.

Coming by Plane, Train, or Bus? 

• Do not make travel reservations until you receive confirmed acceptance to the Conference. 

• The Foundation will provide transportation to and from the airports, train, and bus station. 

• There are three airports convenient to Williamsburg.  Use links below to review their home pages: 

  • The Newport News- Williamsburg Airport (PHF) (AirTran, Delta, and USAir) is the closest - about 30 minute drive to the 4-H site.   

  • The Norfolk International Airport (ORF) and Richmond International Airport  (RIC) are 1 – 1 1/2 hours away.  

  • The Williamsburg AmTrac train and Greyhound Bus Station are nearby the 4-H site.  AmTrac train service is available to Williamsburg from New York or Washington, D.C.

Driving Notes:

• Keep in mind that there is a bridge-tunnel between Norfolk and Williamsburg, which can sometimes cause 30 or more minute traffic delays.

• All airports have shuttle service to the Colonial Williamsburg area.

• If you are traveling from the Washington, D.C. area by car, allow three hours.

Location and Driving Directions- The Youth Leadership Conferences operate out of the 16 acre Jamestown 4-H Education Center on the north bank of the James River, five minutes from the original first surviving American colony, and fairly near the Jamestown-Williamsburg-Yorktown historic tourist sites.

• The on-line Yahoo map search address is: 3751 4-H Club Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185.

Driving on I-64, East or West:

• Take the 242A Exit towards Williamsburg and Jamestown, Virginia.

• Continue for 5.4 miles (passing the small airport and the Williamsburg Winery on the left) and turn left onto Jamestown Road (Rt. 31) as though you were heading towards the Jamestown Ferry or Jamestown Settlement..

• After approximately 3.3 miles, you’ll see “4-H Club Rd" on the right, which quickly bears left. 

• Continue on "4-H Club Road" (towards the trees) about 1/4 mile to a T-intersection.

• Turn right at the STOP sign, and in about 50 feet, look for the 4-H sign, turn left at the 4-H sign and go down a gravel road.

• After approximately 1/3 mile on the gravel road, you will enter the main 4-H Education Center complex.  Continue straight ahead to the parking lot in front of the combined Dining Hall and Recreation Center (Register here).

Student Message Line- If you need to contact your student in an emergency, please call (757) 560-0963 and we will deliver the message.

Questions- After reviewing this website, if you have questions or comments, please call Earl Johnson at (757) 560-0963  or e-mail AIFCV.

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