Even though the TDI campers met virtually at TDI@Home 2021, we were fortunate to hold the TDI Leadership Program in person on the NVU campus, including some integration with the virtual program. It was a great week! We are looking forward to everyone being together on campus again this summer.

Our Leadership Program is open to participants (referred to as “Leadershippers”) who are camp alumni entering grades 10, 11, and 12. Started in 2004, the program has evolved from a one-year to a two-year to a three-year program, with very specific structure and goals for each year. In the program’s first year, participants focus on asking themselves, "Who am I as a person and a learner?". The second year’s focus shifts to "Who am I as a teacher and a leader?". The third and final year focuses on understanding, “Who am I in the broader world?".

Along the way, Leadershippers develop an understanding of different styles of learning, and which are the most effective for them. They learn how to use that information to become better and more versatile leaders and teachers, and how they can help others achieve the same understanding and be successful themselves.

For 2026 we have changed the Leadership Program in response to requests from prior participants. This year our Leadership Two (L2s) will have two paths from which to choose: 

• Path A: a leader as a teacher

• Path B: a leader in the realm of youth program management

Each day during Period 3, you will have an opportunity to explore your chosen path with like-minded, aspiring leaders during facilitated discussions.

• Path A participants will begin developing a strand proposal (outline and description of each day’s activities) in preparation of teaching that strand during your L3 year. In addition, you will apprentice with an experienced teacher one strand per day and lead an Exploratory each week you are at camp.

• Path B will interview different TDI administrators to develop a recommendation for a particular aspect of TDI and/or a 5-year plan for TDI. This is to prepare you to work with/shadow an administrator to learn an administrative role during your L3 year. You are invited to teach an Exploratory each week you are at camp.

The Leadership Three program is based on the theme “Who Am I in the Broader World?”. They examine this theme together and with outside experts during their L3 Week 1 strand. Additionally, our L3s will have an opportunity to have a mentored teaching experience or camp management position as appropriate. Each year we are able to accommodate approximately 30 teens in our Leadership Program.