How people threatening to blow up Serbia, dancing to A Whole New World, and trying to get an army of penguins changed my life.
People threatening to blow up Serbia, dancing to A Whole New World, and trying to get an army of penguins...sound like fun? LeadAmerica is a 10-day summer camp for leaders of tomorrow’s generation. It opens minds for middle school and high school students and, frankly, changes their lives. And, as a bonus, high school students receive two college credits.…
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76 - Law & Trial Advocacy
I attended the LeadAmerica Law & Trial Advocacy program last summer. Honestly, I think it depends on which program you attend, so if you're interested in finding out about LeadAmerica, focus on the program you're planning to attend. We were repeatedly told that LeadLaw was the best program that LeadAmerica offered - and I truly did learn as much as I expected to. I'm not sure if it was "insider information" or anything special, but I definitely did learn the fundamentals of Criminal Law and trial advocacy. However, I was determined to learn. We had four or five hour-long lectures a day, and I payed attention to every word. I know many people slept through the first lecture, and were texting or on Facebook throughout the other ones. If these are the type of people that are complaining, then it's in no way justified. I do admit that the guest speakers weren't outstanding, but they were decent. There were a couple of college professors and deans of law schools, others included an Iowa congressman, practicing lawyers, and a recent law school graduate (I think he was friends with one of the TLs), and my favorite lecture was by an international lawyer who shared his experiences with the UN and touched on the ethics of torture.
However, I do agree that LeadAmerica was poorly organized. I'm looking at my schedule right now, and I can see lectures crossed out and arrows pointing to different times. I remember one time when our guest speaker didn't show up, so instead we did a massive group activity that seemed more fit for elementary school children. On our first field trip, things didn't go as planned and we had to skip going to the Pentagon City Mall. Another day when we were supposed to meet our senators, the buses were over three hours late and some people missed their appointments with their senators.
As for the field trips in general, they were typically what tourists would do. I loved visiting the Hill. During our hours of free time, I visited the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the Capitol; I stopped for lunch and had meetings with both my senators. When we visited the monuments, it's true that I didn't get to hit every one that I wanted because of the time limit, but I think people fail to realize how much we have to get done in 10 days. This camp isn't a sightseeing tour; the main focus is to learn what needed to be learned. Also, I think if I had planned it better instead of just walking around aimlessly, I would have been able to see everything on my list.
Two things that nobody else mentioned - the silly songs and the dress code. I do acknowledge that LeadAmerica fails to treat its students as adults, mostly because of the songs we have to sing. I think their goal was to wake us up before lecture, but they made us sing these ridiculous songs that you would find in a kindergarten room. Sadly, I still remember the lyrics, if anyone is interested. The most awkward thing about this is that we would be singing these songs in professional jackets and slacks. I had to buy a whole new wardrobe for LeadAmerica. I don't regret doing so, because it's good to have professional clothes, but I just wanted to make people aware.
The leadership building was a toss-up. Most of the games were cliche, such as the human knot and the trusting exercise (where you fall and the person behind you catches you). Some of the leadership material was valuable, but I wouldn't recommend going to a conference solely focused on leadership - I couldn't imagine how horrible it would be doing that all day. Our main project was presenting a trial, and I spent an incredible amount of time prepping for that. Like I said before, it depends on the student. Many just blew it off, but I did all my homework to the best of my ability and stayed up past midnight writing an re-writing my opening argument.
In conclusion, I enjoyed LeadAmerica. It wasn't as spectacular as they hype it up to be, but I don't regret my decision. I became accustomed to college life before even entering it, such as waiting in line to shower and attending five lectures a day. I think LeadAmerica is best for people who don't have much knowledge of the field and just want to test it out, like me. It's also really important to make sure you get information on the conference you are attending, as I said before. Most of the people who went to the Law conference were satisfied, but I hear many negative things about the Robotics one.
I still have my schedule and all of my course materials, so if anyone would like any more specific information on the Leadership program (which is the same for all CSLC programs) or the Law & Trial Advocacy, feel free to email me at staybeautiful13@yahoo.com
77 - Kristine
I'm currently in my second year of college and attending Lead America helped me determine what I want to do with the rest of my life. Because of LA, I'm now double majoring in Journalism and Political Science.
I attended Lead America for Diplomacy and International Relations and I had a blast. We started off in Washington DC and then spent the second half in New York City. The accommodations were impeccable. We stayed in a dorm building at Columbia University that felt actually more like a trendy New York apartment (marble staircases & all).
I learned a lot about international affairs. In fact, that's the summer I learned about the genocide in Darfur and when I returned to school for my senior year I ended up running a charity event for Darfur.
I made friends all across the country who I still very much talk to. Some of them actually go to the same University as I do, and I meet up with them occasionaly.
Yes, they have Nazi-like regulations and rules but thats to prevent kids from:
a) Getting run over in the street.
b) Getting kidnapped
c) Catching STDs or Getting pregnant
Okay, the last one is an exaggeration, but you would not BELIEVE how many kids tried to take the opportunity to hook up with one another after curfew. Lead America is a professional setting. My parents didn't pay all that money for me to make-out boys. They paid so that I could learn something. Which I did.
Furthermore,
I don't know what you guys are talking about, but I managed to get college credit...
I'm not saying I don't believe you guys, but in my case it all worked out.
My Complaints
1) Yeah, I'll say it. Its pretty pricey. But considering the accommodations I got, the places I got into, and the fact that I got college credit, I'd say it balanced out.
2) The whole "selected cause of academic achievement" is total bullshit. There were still a bunch of idiots, slackers, kids looking for a hookup, and ignorant opinionated assholes who attended the organization. But you know what, that's life! You're gunna meet people like that every where!
My advice to parents:
Don't send your kids here if they're just gunna screw around. Cause THEY'RE the ones who are going to have a miserable time. I had an excellent time because all I wanted was to learn about Diplomacy and International Affairs. I put hard work into the activities and challenges set before me. And I left knowing myself a little better, and with more confidence in my skills as well as new skills to take home with me.