The New Hampshire Student Leadership Program is a collaborative effort between independent and public school communities designed to nurture, develop, and guide the leadership potential of students starting in middle school and throughout their high school years.
Participants are students entering seventh grade who are nominated by their teachers, school counselors, principals, or an adult member of their community and have limited access to a wide range of leadership development opportunities. Nominees selected for the program participate at no cost to their families. If you would like to nominate a student, please fill out the form below. Nomination forms and student and parent forms must be received by April 25 for consideration.
Please contact program director Michelle Rafalowski-Housman with questions at mrafalowski@brewsteracademy.org.
Program Elements
Leadership Summit
A one-week vibrant residential experience on the Brewster campus in Wolfeboro where students engage in activities that explore personal strengths, values, self-identity, and challenges that face their communities. During these activities, students learn strategies that foster effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving - all supporting the development of effective leadership skills that students will carry with them into their high school years and beyond.This campus-based experience at Brewster engages students in active learning situations in the classrooms and outside where they will take advantage of Lake Winnipesaukee and other Lakes Region natural resources. Activities include:
- Kayaking on Lake Winnipesaukee
- Access to the Browne Center at UNH
- Evening swim at nearby McKinney Park
- Trip to Mt. Major with lunch at the summit
- Hike to Zealand Falls Hut – White Mountains
- Engaging with wonderful members of the Brewster and Wolfeboro community
Residential Experience
Brewster is located in the resort town of Wolfeboro, a short walk from campus where students can enjoy cultural events and no shortage of ice cream shops. Students reside in single-sex dormitories that are traditionally double rooms with twin beds and an accompanying closet and desk. Each dorm has a lounge for social gatherings and includes a refrigerator, microwave, and television. Summit Teaching Assistants reside in each dorm and are accessible at all times. The dining program at Brewster is known for serving a variety of fresh, and when possible, locally grown food. The staff focuses on delivering meals that reflect the diverse cultures of summer program participants and includes a wood-fired brick oven for pizza. Brewster’s Health Center is staffed for day to day needs as well as immediate care situation.
Mentors and Workshops
A student and adult mentor with whom they will work throughout their eighth grade year. Each participant will have a high school mentor who will work one-on-one with them throughout the school year identifying and achieving goals that are relevant and meaningful to their home or school community.
Working sessions for student, mentor, and selected advisor held each season (fall, winter, and spring) during the school year to support students in their efforts and keep them focused on working toward their goals. At each step of the program, students will focus on and benefit from:
- Team building and leadership training with experienced educators and mentors
- Opportunities to collaborate with like-minded peers from both public and independent schools
- Learning goal-setting strategies for personal growth and in service to their own communities
- Developing a strength of self and deepened commitment to others
- Sharpening critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
- Advancing thoughtful dialog between students and educators about issues relevant to students
Leadership Summit
A one-week vibrant residential experience on the Brewster campus in Wolfeboro where students engage in activities that explore personal strengths, values, self-identity, and challenges that face their communities. During these activities, students learn strategies that foster effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving - all supporting the development of effective leadership skills that students will carry with them into their high school years and beyond.This campus-based experience at Brewster engages students in active learning situations in the classrooms and outside where they will take advantage of Lake Winnipesaukee and other Lakes Region natural resources. Activities include:
- Kayaking on Lake Winnipesaukee
- Access to the Browne Center at UNH
- Evening swim at nearby McKinney Park
- Trip to Mt. Major with lunch at the summit
- Hike to Zealand Falls Hut – White Mountains
- Engaging with wonderful members of the Brewster and Wolfeboro community
Residential Experience
Brewster is located in the resort town of Wolfeboro, a short walk from campus where students can enjoy cultural events and no shortage of ice cream shops. Students reside in single-sex dormitories that are traditionally double rooms with twin beds and an accompanying closet and desk. Each dorm has a lounge for social gatherings and includes a refrigerator, microwave, and television. Summit Teaching Assistants reside in each dorm and are accessible at all times. The dining program at Brewster is known for serving a variety of fresh, and when possible, locally grown food. The staff focuses on delivering meals that reflect the diverse cultures of summer program participants and includes a wood-fired brick oven for pizza. Brewster’s Health Center is staffed for day to day needs as well as immediate care situation.
Mentors and Workshops
A student and adult mentor with whom they will work throughout their eighth grade year. Each participant will have a high school mentor who will work one-on-one with them throughout the school year identifying and achieving goals that are relevant and meaningful to their home or school community.
Working sessions for student, mentor, and selected advisor held each season (fall, winter, and spring) during the school year to support students in their efforts and keep them focused on working toward their goals. At each step of the program, students will focus on and benefit from:
- Team building and leadership training with experienced educators and mentors
- Opportunities to collaborate with like-minded peers from both public and independent schools
- Learning goal-setting strategies for personal growth and in service to their own communities
- Developing a strength of self and deepened commitment to others
- Sharpening critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
- Advancing thoughtful dialog between students and educators about issues relevant to students
