The following questions are most frequently asked by parents or students. If you are an educator or mentor, please follow the link on the left for more FAQs.

What is CYLC and how long has the organization existed? The Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC) is a nonpartisan, educational organization, founded in 1985 and is located outside of Washington, D.C. in Vienna, VA. Our mission is to foster and inspire young people to achieve their full leadership potential. To date, over 200,000 young people representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, American Territories and over 100 countries have participated in CYLC programs.

How is CYLC funded? CYLC is a tuition-based, self-supporting organization, with many students securing financial support from local business, civic, community and leadership organizations. The CYLC Student Fundraising Guide helps students identify funding sources and outlines steps for a successful fundraising effort. In addition, JrNYLC is proud to offer scholarships to qualified nominees.

Does CYLC have any political affiliation? No, the Congressional Youth Leadership Council is a nonpartisan, educational organization.

What is JrNYLC? Sponsored by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the Junior National Young Leaders Conference (JrNYLC) curriculum uniquely links the academic study of leadership and American history with distinctive field studies that bring these concepts to life.  Throughout the Conference, hands-on exercises introduce fundamental aspects of leadership including character, communication, teamwork, problem solving, goal setting and respect. Scholars focus on their leadership delegation's assigned topic, utilizing field studies as leadership case studies. Additionally, scholars attend workshops on different social advocacy topics and in turn, form action plans to implement newly cultivated leadership skills at home in their schools and communities. Teamwork skills are developed as leadership delegations work to prepare the culminating Youth Leadership Projects.  Various historical time periods and continuing relevance of their leadership topic takes place in the nation’s capital, and are designed to motivate and inspire top high-achieving students from across the United States.

Who participates in JrNYLC? JrNYLC accepts outstanding 6th and 7th grade students who demonstrate maturity, academic excellence and leadership potential.  Students are selected to attend JrNYLC by teachers and mentors within their community.

What does JrNYLC tuition cover? Tuition covers the expenses incurred by CYLC in planning and implementing the program.  Included in the tuition costs are lodging, all breakfasts and dinners, lunches (excluding arrival and departure days), curriculum materials and compensation for the faculty advisors. The only costs not covered by the tuition are transportation to and from each specified location for each conference and any personal spending money used for souvenirs, snacks and other incidentals.

Does CYLC offer financial assistance?
The Junior National Young Leaders Conference is proud to offer a limited number of scholarships to students. Through the scholarship program, CYLC opens the door for young leaders who deserve the opportunity to participate in JrNYLC.

For nominees who are interested in fundraising to help offset the cost of tuition, CYLC has prepared a Student Fundraising Guide featuring helpful, step-by-step suggestions and activities that will enables nominees to fundraise.

If there is a limited number of spaces in JrNYLC and Enrollment Applications are processed in the order in which they are received, what if no spaces are available by the time I am able to accrue full tuition through fundraising? We recognize that fundraising may delay the submission of your application, so we encourage you to contact the Office of Admissions once you initiate fundraising efforts. While we cannot guarantee a space in the Conference, your call will make us aware of your fundraising efforts and intent to attend.

Where will I stay while at JrNYLC? Scholars and staff reside at at local universities, hotels or conference centers in the greater Washington, D.C. area.

What if my scholar loses something, or forgets to bring a personal item home after the Conference?
All lost and found items are retained by conference staff for 2 weeks following the Conference. Items of higher monetary value are retained for 30 days after the Conference concludes. After 30 days, all items remaining are discarded or donated. We strongly recommend following the advice provided in the suggested packing list, which includes placing your scholars name on all personal belongings that he or she will be bringing to the Conference.

How are students supervised? Scholars are closely supervised 24 hours a day. Our staff includes faculty advisors, who serve as educational facilitators and chaperones, security personnel, operations personnel and a program director. The student-to-staff ratio is 17-to-1. Faculty advisors perform bus counts at every site and room checks every evening. Hall monitors are employed to ensure that scholars remain in their rooms and to provide support for students who become ill or have an emergency at night.

Where can I get a sample schedule? Please click here to view a sample schedule, which is provided to demonstrate the pace and composition of a typical session.

Once I submit an Enrollment Application and tuition payment, what happens? Is a space guaranteed? Once you have been invited to attend JrNYLC, you should follow the guidelines below to ensure that you are enrolled in the program. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to apply early.

• You and your parent should complete the personalized application located in the invitation and return it along with tuition payment to our Office of Admissions.
• Once your application and tuition are complete, we will review availability. Should JrNYLC be full, you will be placed on a wait list and payment will not be processed.
• If you are accepted, we will send an acceptance letter within approximately four weeks. In addition, we will provide a detailed packet of information approximately four weeks prior to the start of the program.

Can special dietary needs be met? Vegetarian options are always available, and kosher meals can be made available upon request. Please contact the Office of Admissions to make a special request.

What safety measures does JrNYLC follow?

• We greet students at the airport and provide transportation to the conference site.
• We only provide single-sex dorm rooms.
• The student-to-staff ratio is 17-to-1.
• Students are supervised at all times.
• Our staff is comprised of highly trained and experienced faculty advisors.
• Security officers or late night hall monitors are on duty each evening.
• Evening security checks occur each night.
• Students travel by private motor coach and never use public transportation.
  

Which local airports are scholars able to fly into and out of for JrNYLC?

For scholars attending JrNYLC at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center this fall 2009 and spring 2010, our staff will be available to meet students only at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Shuttle service is NOT available for these scholars to or from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles Airport (IAD).

Please note, scholars must arrive between noon and 5:30 p.m. on the first day of their conference session and depart between noon and 4 p.m. on the last day of their conference session.