Online

Lead Online 2020

Not Your Typical Summer Camp.

LEAD Online inspires teens to find their ultimate identity in Christ and their highest calling as His ambassador. Throughout this week-long camp, students build key life skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, and communication through virtual leadership simulations. Teens leave equipped to go out as courageous Christians in a corrupt culture and empowered through relationships built with leadership-minded peers and mentors.

 

choose from three exciting, faith-building weeks:

 

Week 1

June 22-26

Tracks offered:

-House (1st year students)

-Senate

-LEAD Elite

-Worldview

 

Week 2

July 13-17

Tracks offered:

-House

-Senate

-LEAD Elite

-Worldview

Week 3

July 27-31

Tracks Offered:

-House

-Senate

-LEAD Elite

-Worldview

About LEAD Online:

tracks offered

House, Senate, and LEAD Elite tracks will be offered for LEAD Online 2020.

For a complete list of tracks, click HERE.

details and policies

General Information
  • Tuition: A full week of LEAD Online costs $100. A week of LEAD Elite with only the morning worldview element costs $75.
  • Daily Events: Devotions and chapel; teaching sessions; legislative activities; dynamic speakers.
  • Eligibility: High school-aged teens. In other words, students entering their first year of high school through those just having graduated from high school are eligible to attend.
    First-year summer students always participate in the House of Representatives. Those who have participated in an Onsite program can attend as a Senator.
  • What to Have: Computer (recommended) or tablet with webcam and microphone, reliable internet connection, headphones/earbuds (recommended for best experience, but not required)
  • Platforms: Students will use WebEx for lectures and caucus meetings and Moodle for access to their camp materials and other tools. Once you register, our staff will contact you with instructions and make sure you are able to log in and access these platforms. 
  • Frequently Asked Questions: Find answers to other common questions on our FAQ page. 

Financial Considerations 

If you are unable to pay for the cost of LEAD Online, please reach out to us (517-321-6233 or ssi@ssionline.org). We want to do all we can to work with you and your situation. 

NOTE: Please send as much of your tuition as possible when registering. A $50 minimum deposit is required to reserve a space. All balances must be paid in full two weeks prior to the week attending. 

LEAD Online Policies

We are excited that you have chosen to attend LEAD Online. It is our desire to make this a profitable, enjoyable, life-changing experience for everyone involved. While we expect no problems from the students, it is important to define the boundaries and lay the foundation for expectations and conflict/problem-solving ahead of time so everyone is aware of policies and procedures. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office at (517) 321-6233. All students are required to read the LEAD Online Policies and sign the Student Conduct Covenant. 

While participating in LEAD Online, students will be under the supervision of staff, instructors, and chaperones. Our goal is to have the ratio of volunteers to students at no less than 1:10. SSI staff will monitor the platforms and be present during all class sessions. The staff, instructors, and chaperones will clearly communicate our expectations to students.   

LEAD Online Cancellation Fee / Refund Policy

Students who are unable to attend LEAD Online during the week for which they registered may request a refund of their registration fee. All refund checks are mailed approximately 2-3 weeks after the request is made. Due to costly administrative commitments, refunds will be honored as follows:  

Full Refund Deadline 

  • June 1, 2020: Deadline for FULL refund – all weeks Any requests for refunds postmarked or phoned in no later than June 1st will be honored in full, including the deposit. 

Partial Refund Deadlines 

  • Week One (June 22-26): June 8, 2020 Any requests for refunds postmarked or phoned in no later than June 8th but after June 1st will be honored, minus the $50 deposit. After June 8th, no refunds will be permitted. 
  • Week Two (July 13-17): June 29, 2020 Any requests for refunds postmarked or phoned in no later than June 29th but after June 1st will be honored, minus the $50 deposit. After June 29th, no refunds will be permitted. 
  • Week Three (July 27-31): July 13, 2020 Any requests for refunds postmarked or phoned in no later than July 13th but after June 1st will be honored, minus the $50 deposit. After July 13th, no refunds will be permitted.  

NOTE: If a student is dismissed as a result of disciplinary action or chooses to stop participating for any reason during his/her week of LEAD Online, no refund or partial refund will be issued. Likewise, no one may attend in his/her place. 

Alternatives to Refunds

Attend a Different Week  Students are encouraged to attend a different week of LEAD Online, as track capacity allows, rather than not come at all. We will make every attempt to make adjustments where possible. Therefore, if a student wishes to switch to a different week, he or she must make that request to the SSI office as soon as possible. If there is no room available in another week, a refund may be issued according to the policy outlined above. 

Transfer Registration – A registration may be transferred to a different student provided registration has not yet closed for the week in questionPlease call the SSI office immediately if you are thinking of transferring your registration to another individual. In any case, new registration forms will be required. 

Donate Consider donating the tuition money to help cover the cost of the program. Registration fees cover only a portion of the cost to put on LEAD Online. Any donation to help mitigate the cost is appreciated.

Schedule

All activities are mandatory, and all students will be expected to participate in every activity unless prior permission is obtained to excuse a student. Each day will start at 10am EDT and will end between 3pm and 3:30pm EDT.  The final schedule will be distributed at registration. Students who miss multiple sessions may be asked to leave the program.

Platform Information

Leading up to camp, each family will be contacted to confirm that they were able to connect to the necessary platforms for camp and that video and audio is set-up for camp. Please plan on joining 15 minutes before camp starts every day to ensure that your student will not miss anything due to technical difficulties.

What to Have

Technology: Computer (recommended) or tablet with webcam and microphone, reliable internet connection, headphones/earbuds (recommended for best experience, but not required) 

SuppliesBible, pen/pencil, notebook  

Clothing: Casual clothes for time spent in lectures and caucus meetings, and two dress outfits for a committee meeting and the final legislative session.

Learning Impairments and Mental Health

It is important that we are aware of any learning impairments or mental health concerns beforehand so that we can properly prepare to work with your child. Please be sure to include information in the Health Information section of the registration about any impairments or mental health concerns your child has. We will contact you for more information so that we can plan for the support necessary for your child and ensure a positive experience. SSI will do what it can within reason to accommodate students with learning impairments or mental health concerns. 

Disclaimer

Issues and topics debated for the Mock Legislature may be controversial or sensitive in nature. Please contact SSI for more information.

Dress Code Guide

 While we recognize that families have different tastes, views, and convictions on what constitutes professional, modest, and appropriate dress, all students attending LEAD Online are required to respect and comply with the following. If these standards are not met, SSI staff may ask a student to immediately change his/her outfit to comply with the dress code. 

General Standards 

Casual: Students should wear neat, clean, and modest clothing. No crude language or images on clothing.

Business: Collared shirt and tie with dress pants or suit for gentlemen; dress, skirt, or dress pants with blouse or business suit for ladies 

Ladies: No low-cut tops or shirts with spaghetti or thin straps. Shirts must cover the front, the midsection, and bra (including straps). No pajamas.

Gentlemen: No pajamas.

Specific Event Standards 

  • Teaching Sessions: Casual.
  • Legislative Track: There will be two events (Wednesday and Friday) for which the dress code will be business attire, so gentlemen should wear dress shirt with tie and dress slacks, or suit; ladies should wear a dress or modest blouse with a skirt or dress slacks. Make sure that all attire is in dress code. 

Find our complete dress code guide HERE.

Student conduct Covenant

The Student Statesmanship Institute’s summer program, LEAD Online, is Michigan’s premiere biblical worldview and leadership training program for teens. We hope your experience will be enjoyable, rewarding, and challenging. The instructors, staff, and chaperones are committed to helping you grow as a leader, and they are looking forward to you participating. The development of leadership skills includes taking responsibility for your own life and conduct, and the foundation for all behavior at all times can be summed up in the word “respect.”

Please read the following carefully.

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8

1. The Bible says that Christians should “think on things that are excellent” and “avoid all appearance of evil.”

  • I will maintain the highest moral standards and maintain a clear personal witness through proper conduct and appropriate dress (see the LEAD Policies for our standards, found here: https://ssionline.org/lead-online-details-and-policies/).
  • I will not drink alcoholic beverages or use tobacco in any form while participating in LEAD Online; I will not use any type of illegal substances, use offensive language, etc.

2. Leadership involves self-discipline, which means accepting personal responsibility to do those things which are expected of you “as unto the Lord.” Christian leadership involves servanthood. Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.”

  • I will be prompt and attentive in all classes and activities.
  • I will display a servant attitude toward my fellow classmates, instructors, staff, and chaperones.

3. LEAD Online is an environment conducive to learning, personal growth, and friendship and strives to remain free from distractions and outside influences.

  • I will not bring anything that would detract from this goal to the LEAD online learning environment, nor will I use the computer or internet inappropriately at any time.

4. The Bible commands us to submit to authority. It is our desire that each student has a teachable spirit and is willing to be cooperative, obedient, and respectful to any person in God-ordained authority.

  • I will obey the rules and submit to the authority of staff, instructors, and chaperones, and obey the rules including those given in this Student Conduct Covenant.

I have read and agree with all of the above. I understand that I will be expected to abide by this signed covenant. I further understand that if I choose not to abide by this signed covenant, I will face appropriate consequences, possibly even being asked to leave.

FAQ's
Why Should I do LEAD Online?

While we recognize that having camp in person would be the best scenario, LEAD Online still has many benefits!

LEAD Online House and Senate tracks not only offer an opportunity to grow by participating in worldview and leadership lectures and the legislative simulations, but they also are counted toward a student’s eligibility for other tracks. Students who participate in House with LEAD Online this summer can jump right into the Senate track for LEAD next year. LEAD Online Senate students can go on to participate in Business, Media, Mock Trial, Moot Court, or Campaign next year.

Also, because of the reduced cost for LEAD Online, a first-time student could participate in House and Senate through LEAD Online and join an advanced track next summer, or even participate in LEAD Elite this summer. For advanced track students, LEAD Online offers a rare opportunity. Never before have students been able to spend so much time in advanced worldview lectures or been given such freedom to debate their bills!

At What Age is my child eligible to attend?

Any teenager entering 9th grade through the age of 19 is eligible to attend. Deciding which age is most appropriate to send your student is up to the parent, depending on the maturity level and whether or not the student can handle the rigorous schedule and challenging curriculum.

 

What is the average age of first-time students?

First-time students vary in ages from 13 to 19. Over the years, there has always been a good balance of older and younger participants.  First-time students are split into committees and caucuses, and each group is purposely made up of students of all ages, so no one group has any advantage over another during debates on Friday.

 

Is a sport coat/blazer/full business suit required for Friday’s final session?

No. While business attire is required for the committee meetings and final legislative sessions, it is not necessary that to have a sport coat or suit, but the guys should at least wear dress slacks with a dress shirt and tie. However, those wishing to dress it up a bit more should feel free to do so!

What if our family only has one computer but multiple students want to participate?

Consider scheduling your students for different weeks.  

Ask those you know about borrowing a laptop or tablet for the week. 

If those aren’t options, please call our office at (517) 321-6233 and we will assist you to the best of our ability.  

What technology is required to participate in LEAD online?

Please visit our Tech Center page HERE.

Speakers and instructors

View a full list of LEAD Online 2020 speakers and instructors HERE.

Office

4407 W St. Joe Hwy

Call Us

(517) 321-6233