Early Bird Registration EXTENSION Closes on April 30, 2024 at 11:59 P.M. EST
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PEACE AMBASSADOR LEADERSHIP SUMMIT (PALS)
University of Central Florida
Sat, June 15th – Fri, June 21st
Leadership, Career Exploration and Interpersonal Development
50 Community Service Hours
Lead with Confidence. Step Into Your Power. Connect with Purpose. Every Relationship You Make will be Remembered. Make it Count.
Program Highlights for PALS at UCF:
- On-Campus Living Experience: Students will stay in university dorms throughout the summit, fully immersing them in the collegiate environment and enhancing the educational experience.
- Interactive College Simulation: Experience a week-long immersive program that mirrors real college life. Workshops are led by college professors, advisors, and community organizations.
- Peer Leadership: Trained high school students step into roles as Junior Counselors, guiding peers and fostering leadership skills.
- Mentorship by College Students: Gain insights and support from college students who serve as Sr. Counselors and mentors, sharing their academic and personal experiences.
- Workshops on Career Exploration and Interpersonal Skills: Engage in sessions focusing on career paths, professional skills, leadership development, and effective communication.
- Inclusive Environment: PALS is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive community, emphasizing inclusivity and mutual respect. Our activities are designed to create safe spaces where everyone can freely express themselves and feel valued.
Focus Areas:
- Leadership and Social-Emotional Learning: Enhance leadership abilities and integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) principles focusing on self-awareness, empathy, and responsible decision-making.
- Effective Communication and Peer Interaction: Develop advanced communication skills, crucial for collaborative environments and interpersonal relationships.
- Emotional Intelligence and Personal Growth: Strengthen emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-care practices through interactive workshops.
- Career Exploration and Readiness: Interactive workshops and panel discussions guide students through discovering various career paths and understanding necessary professional skills.
- College Preparedness: Tailor a day for College and Career readiness where youth interact with college advisors to explore majors, learn from financial aid officers about FAFSA, loans, and grants, and gain insights from college students during panels on the application process, utilizing the Common App portal, and navigating housing options.
- Life and Social Skills: Focus on developing practical life skills and social abilities through interactive sessions that cover topics from interpersonal relationships to self-care and boundary setting.
- Interpersonal Development: Cultivate the ability to build strong, empathetic relationships in various contexts, crucial for effective collaboration and conflict resolution.
Networking and Social Activities:
- Hands-on Activities: Participate in engaging and educational activities such as art therapy, outdoor team-building exercises, and vision board creation.
- Social Events: Enjoy evenings filled with karaoke, movie nights, ice cream socials, and a themed prom.
- Creative Workshops: Engage in workshops on public speaking, empathy mapping, and mental health and wellness, enhancing personal growth and community connections.
Awards and Acknowledgments:
- President’s Volunteer Service Award: By meeting the service hour requirements through PALS and other volunteering efforts, you’ll receive a PVSA package, which includes a presidential letter, certificate, and pin, highlighting your dedication to service.
- PALS Graduation Ceremony: Celebrate achievement at the PALS Graduation Ceremony, where students receive a Certificate of Completion, honoring their dedication and growth throughout the summit.
Community Service Project:
- Mark My Words: Bookmarks for Bright Futures: Participants will engage in a creative service project benefiting local elementary schools, crafting personalized bookmarks to encourage reading and literacy among elementary school students. This hands-on activity not only fosters community engagement but also promotes the joy of learning through art.
other PALS locations
University of Florida
June 23-27 | 30 Service Hours
Business and Entrepreneurship
Tuition: Early Bird $500 Regular $750
+ $50 App Fee + Meal Plan: $150
Learn More →
Florida International University
July 14-21 | 50 Service Hours
Career, Social, and Life Skill Development
Tuition: Early Bird $775 - Regular $1,025
+ $50 App Fee + Meal Plan: $250
Learn More →
Georgetown University
July 27-Aug 3 | 50 Service Hours
From Passion to Action: Activating Your Leadership Journey
Tuition: Early Bird $1,750 Regular $2,000
+ $50 App Fee + Meal Plan: $250
Learn More →
DATES AND TUITION
| Name of University | Dates | Service Hours | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Florida 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL |
June 15-21 | 50 | $970 / $775 Early Bird |
Tuition includes dorm housing, meals, workshops, and program materials. Students are responsible for transportation to and from the university.
Partial scholarships for those who demonstrate need are available through an additional application. All scholarship awards are reflected in your cart.
Residential
Address: 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL 32816
Dates: June 15-21
Price: $970 / $775 Early Bird
Service Hours: 50
In-Person Tuition includes dorm housing, meals, workshops, and program materials. Students are responsible for transportation to and from the university.
Partial scholarships for those who demonstrate need are available through an additional application. All scholarship awards are reflected in your cart.
Participate in hands-on activities that foster personal growth and team building, including art therapy, pool day, outdoor team-building events, ice cream social & karaoke, movie night, vision board and everyone’s favorite highlight of all the social events, a themed prom.
THEMED PROM
ART THERAPY
KARAOKE
VISION BOARDS
TEAM BUILDING
Students will be able to choose from a variety of hands-on and engaging workshops on topics such as civic engagement, personal branding, healthy relationships, self-esteem, gender and orientation, empathy, communication and public speaking, team-building, time management, creating social change, mental health and self-care, bullying and suicide prevention, gender and racial equality, and an entire day dedicated to college advising or entering the workforce,
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
MENTAL
HEALTH
COLLEGE & CAREER DAY
FINANCIAL EDUCATION
PUBLIC
SPEAKING
Attend the Peace Ambassador Leadership Summit (PALS) at University of Central FL,
Pre-PALS Information and Orientation Sessions
Do you want to learn more about PALS? You’ve arrived at the right place. Attend one of our online or in-person information sessions. These sessions provide an opportunity for parents and prospective students to learn more about PALS from the Executive Director, trained Peer Leaders and Junior Counselors, and college students who serve as mentors. As your PALS date approaches, registered attendees will be able to join us for a private meet and greet to get to know other attendees as well as your Junior Counselors. Scroll below to schedule an appointment.
Monthly Information Sessions are held virtually via Zoom and in person at our office in Plantation, FL, during our monthly training sessions for Peer Leaders and Junior Counselors. Limited to 20 participants.
Group Information Sessions are limited to 30 attendees and are ONLY held virtually through Zoom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your refund policy?
All refunds will be processed minus the $50 application and credit card processing fees. A full refund must be requested no later than April 1. 50% of tuition will be refunded if requested between April 2-30. If a refund is requested 30 days prior to the event start date or sooner, a refund will not be provided.
What are the Benefits?
PALS has assisted hundreds of students in achieving their goals of becoming college graduates, mentors, community leaders, and upstanders. The program teaches critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills, and the importance of establishing a community and living their most genuine lives.
If I submit an application with payment, am I automatically eligible to attend?
Once you submit the application with your selected payment option, your application will be reviewed and either granted or denied eligibility. Denials usually happen when it's evident that the student doesn't want to attend, or are being forced to attend by a parent, by essentially submitting a half completed application.
What makes PALS different from other leadership programs?
A couple of stand-out things are although workshops are primarily led by university professors, PALS has a youth-led approach that focuses on interactive learning rather than traditional lectures, emphasizing real-world skills and community service. Additionally, all students are eligible to receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
What does the tuition cover?
Tuition covers all program expenses, breakfast, lunch, dinner, t-shirts, materials, classroom usage, activity fees, and any ground transportation required during the event. Tuition does not cover airfare, visa/passport expenses, spending money, and transportation to and from PALS.
Who is eligible to attend PALS?
PALS is beneficial and appropriate for students with a certain level of maturity. The program welcomes any high school student who genuinely wants to participate.
What if I want to leave early? Do I have to stay the entire time?
Students who have registered for PALS should be prepared to stay for the full event. If a circumstance arises that prevents you from attending to graduation on the last day, your parents must notify us in advance to make accommodations. If you are homesick and want to leave, we will miss you, but we will not hold you hostage. You will be provided service hours based on the days you attended and participated in the designated projects.
What will I learn at PALS?
Each PALS location has the goal of helping students develop leadership skills, effective communication, financial literacy, mental health and wellness, college and career readiness, and civic engagement. In addition to the general curriculum, each location will have workshops based on the location-specific theme, which can be found on its designated page on our website.
Apply Now!
As admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis and programs fill up quickly, we encourage prospective students to apply as soon as possible. Click the link below to learn more about the application process and to complete your application.