Middle School Leadership
Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders
VREC actively invests in empowering young people to lead, share, and thrive through a variety of hands-on programs. Our long-standing Student-Led Mini Grant Program exemplifies this commitment by centering student voice, initiative, and real-world impact. Over the past seven years, we have significantly expanded leadership-building opportunities for middle school students, and in 2026 we plan to continue this momentum by engaging both younger and older learners.
Leadership Connections & Exploration Days at Northwoods Stewardship Center
In 2025, VREC once again partnered with the Northwoods Stewardship Center to deliver dynamic leadership training for 8th-grade students. The program emphasized collaboration and inclusion, welcoming entire school cohorts to participate across three immersive training days. Schools represented included Albany, Sutton, Lowell, Burke, Coventry, Barton, Canaan, Walden, Blue Mountain, and NCUJHS.
If you are an educator interested in registering your class for a Middle School Leadership experience, please contact John Castle, VREC Executive Director..
Learn more about the Northwoods Stewardship Center.
Northwoods Education Director Andy Cappello engages students in a discussion around a sense of place.
Students develop problem solving, communication & leadership skills on the challenge course.