2026 Youth Leadership Program

The application for the 2026 MCYL program is open through December 1^st, 2025!

Don’t Forget to Register!

The 2026 MCYL program will take place on Friday, March 20^th & Saturday, March 21^st.

Please email with any questions.

Mission

Midland County Youth Leadership strives to engage high school youth across Midland County in leadership, team building, and community awareness to promote their personal development and encourage meaningful contributions to their community.

We offer a two-day leadership program where students will participate in a range of activities across Midland county designed to offer an opportunity to develop leadership skills, gain real-world speaking expertise, and explore their community. This program is offered to selected applicants for a tuition fee of $25. Please note that this fee is a suggested donation amount that helps us plan and execute a successful program. Applicants will select to opt-in or opt-out of making this donation when they apply, and only students who opt-in AND are accepted into the program will be contacted for payment.

Four people stand close together smiling at the camera indoors, with one person in a black zip-up and the others in matching event t-shirts. A microphone is visible in the foreground.

What Will You Gain?

Through MCYL’s two-day program, participants will gain:

Insight into the minds and decisions of leaders from across the community
Understanding of their own unique leadership style
Access to a network of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving Michigan
Expertise in speaking and presenting in a professional context

A group of students in green shirts participate in an activity, submitting papers into a box decorated as a black monster in a gymnasium setting.

Eligibility

A select group of qualified high school freshmen are chosen to participate in the Midland County Youth Leadership Program. Students are eligible to apply if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

Attend a Midland City school (e.g. Dow High, Midland High)
Attend a Midland County school (e.g. Bullock Creek, Coleman, Meridian)
Are a resident of Midland County (includes home-schooled and virtual students, students that attend private schools, and students that live in Midland County but go to school outside of Midland County)

A diverse group of participants will be selected based on their application, letter of recommendation and a brief interview.

Current freshmen will only have one opportunity to apply to MCYL, so we encourage all eligible to apply for this exclusive program.

Four students in yellow shirts assemble paper structures on a table.

Application Process

To apply for the Midland County Youth Leadership Program, please complete the online application form.

Application window is now open through December 1st, 2025.
Interviews will be held Tuesday, January 13th and Wednesday, January 14th from 6-9pm.
The program will be on March 20th and 21st, 2026 and takes place in venues across Midland County.
Transportation between venues will be provided

apply today

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Additional Details

If you have questions, please email .

The program is funded in part by the Leadership Midland Alumni Association, as well as area service clubs and community organizations. Area businesses are also sponsoring students’ participation in this year’s program, and in-kind contributions of time, supplies and facilities help keep the program affordable for youth. Speakers and presenters all donate their time and talent.

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

Midland County Youth Leadership does not discriminate based on a person’s national origin, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic situation, and/or familial status. We believe that the acceptance of all individuals no matter background or circumstance is critical to good leadership. As such, Midland County Youth Leadership fully commits to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Midland area and the world at large.

Space is Limited, Apply Now!

Apply TODAY