08/26/2026
Attention 10th graders and parents! Are you a leader in your school? Apply to be a member of the Junior Leadership Aiken County!
Program Purpose – Junior Leadership Aiken County (JLAC) is a comprehensive program designed to identify, develop, and motivate leadership among 10th graders attending high schools in Aiken County. Program objectives are accomplished through a competitive selection process, team-building activities, and exposure to local issues and community leaders. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the Aiken County community, while directly participating in service. The program encourages students to be concerned, active, and involved citizens.
Program Format – Beginning with a mandatory one-day retreat at Camp Gravatt, the class develops an esprit-de-corps that will provide a common ground for working together on present and future community needs. Together, on each of the class days, class members will engage in service to their community with one of the organizations they are learning about. The class may also create a class project to support a local organization in need. There will be four daylong (~7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) sessions to explore opportunities and issues facing Aiken County today and in the future. Every effort is made to schedule sessions when school is out; however, this may not always be possible.
Participant Selection – Candidates should be residents of Aiken County and/or attend high school in Aiken County, possess an interest in the community and possess a desire to use the knowledge gained from this program to improve Aiken County. Class size is limited.
Class Schedule: September 4th- Applications due, September 22nd- Meet and Greet Kickoff Event (Class Headshots will be taken here), October 19th- Retreat at Camp Gravatt*, November 2nd- Horses, History, and Economic Development Day*, December 13th- Volunteer Activity at Lights at Hopelands, January 20th- Government and Law Enforcement Day*, February 17th- Education and Healthcare*, March 25th- Human Services Day*, April 24th- Volunteer Activity at Run United, April 27th- JLAC Graduation
All applicants must be residents of Aiken County and/or attend school in AIKEN COUNTY (public, private, charter, or homeschool)
All applications must be submitted by September 4th. For applications to be considered complete, the signature page must be included.
