YLP Application 2026-2027

Berkshire Youth Leadership Program

2026-2027 Application Form
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
11:59 PM Friday February 13th, 2026
We are excited to announce the opening of applications for the 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program class of 2026-2027! The Youth Leadership Program (YLP) is a program of 1Berkshire that invites any and all current Berkshire County sophomore high school students to apply. If accepted they will participate during their junior year of high school.

YLP offers the opportunity to learn more about yourself and your community through an intensive and rewarding 10-month-long experience. This begins with a mandatory 3-day, 2-night retreat JUNE 12th - JUNE 14 2026 in Becket, and concludes with a mandatory commencement APRIL 15th, 2027. Through the program, participants will meet peers from across the region; interact with community leaders from businesses, government agencies, and civic organizations; develop deep leadership skills; learn about the challenges and solutions facing the Berkshires; and discover how to apply central leadership tenets to their own lives and their future careers.

As the premier youth leadership development program in the region, YLP will expand participants' horizons. Come enjoy this experience of a lifetime!

Before applying, be sure to read the documents at the two links provided here.

View Eligibility/Selection Criteria & Attendance Policy

View Tuition, Participation Policy and Program Dates

As you fill out this application, be sure to press the "SAVE" button at the bottom of the form periodically, this will allow you to return to your application via a link that will be sent to your email address.
Preferred Name for Name Tag:
Personal Information
Note: If you are accepted into the program, you will need to obtain permission from a parent/guardian, your guidance counselor, and extracurricular activity director/coach (if you are participating in any after-school activities like clubs, sports, etc.).
Full Name:*

First NameLast Name
Applicant's Personal Email Address (not school-based email)*
example@example.com
Applicant's School Email Address (school-based email)*
example@example.com
Applicant's Home Address (where you live the majority of the time)*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code
Applicant's Mailing Address (if different from above)

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code
Applicant's Primary Phone Number (cellphone ideally)*

Area CodePhone Number
Secondary Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
Applicant's Pronouns (examples: They/Them/Theirs, She/Her/Hers, He/Him/His)*
OPTIONAL: Which race or ethnicity best describes you? Please choose all that apply. We use this data entirely to analyze the demographics of the students in the program; it is not used as a factor in acceptance to the class.

Asian or Pacific IslanderBlack or African AmericanHispanicNative American or Alaskan NativeWhite or CaucasianMultiracial or Biracial
Parent/Guardian Information
Parent/Guardian #1 Name *

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian #1 Email*
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian #1 Phone (cellphone ideally)*

Area CodePhone Number
Parent/Guardian #2 Name (if applicable)

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian #2 Email (if applicable)
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian #2 Phone (if applicable)*

Area CodePhone Number
Parent/Guardian #2 Phone (if applicable)
example@example.com
Please indicate which Parent/Guardian should be considered your Primary "Emergency Contact." If "other" please specify name and phone number*

Parent/Guardian #1Parent/Guardian #2Other
School Information
Name of School:*
Who referred you to this program?:*
Guidance/School Counselor's Name*

First NameLast Name
Guidance/School Counselor's Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Guidance/School Counselor's Email*
example@example.com
School Principal's Name*

First NameLast Name
School Principal's Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Applicant's Current GPA*
Do you currently / do you plan to participate in any sports or other after school programs (for example Marching Band, Clubs, etc.) between May 2026 and April 2027?*

YesNo
Coach/Advisor Information
Please indicate what your Sport or After School Activity is*
Please provide the name of your Coach or After School Activity Director*

First NameLast Name
Please provide the phone number of your Coach or After School Activity Director*

Area CodePhone Number
Please provide the email address of your Coach or After School Activity Director*
example@example.com
If you have an additional after school commitment (not work) please describe it here and provide contact information for the coach/director of that commitment
Activities, Awards & Work
Please list below in order of importance to you NO MORE THAN FIVE (5), volunteer, religious, social, athletic, or other activites/organizations/programs in which you have participated within the last 3-4 years.
1.) Activity / Organization / Program
When did you participate in this activity? (start date / end date)
Leadership Responsibility / Involvement
2.) Activity / Organization / Program
When did you participate in this activity? (start date / end date)
Leadership Responsibility / Involvement
3.) Activity / Organization / Program
When did you participate in this activity? (start date / end date)
Leadership Responsibility / Involvement
4.) Activity / Organization / Program
When did you participate in this activity? (start date / end date)
Leadership Responsibility / Involvement
5.) Activity / Organization / Program
When did you participate in this activity? (start date / end date)
Leadership Responsibility / Involvement
List no more than (3) special awards, honors, or recognitions for academic, school, or community related activities you have received during high school:
I am currently employed*

YesNo
Where are you employed?*
Briefly tell what is involved*
How many hours/week do you work?*
How will you be getting to and from YLP Sessions? (Note: This does not impact your likelihood of acceptance into the program and is for logistics planning only, since sessions are located all around Berkshire County)*

Driving Myself (or anticipate driving myself by the time the program starts)Parent/Guardian/Other Adult Transporting MeI do not have transportation availableOther
Essay
Please upload a brief essay (500 words or less) that addresses ALL OF THE FOLLOWING POINTS:

1) Why do you want to be part of the Youth Leadership Program?

2) In what areas do you feel you can grow through this program?

3) What do you hope to learn if accepted into the program?

4) What opportunities do you see here in the Berkshires that you would like to help address somehow?
Upload applicant's essay*

Upload a File
Please upload a pdf file type is possible. Cancelof
Tuition & Financial Aid
The one-time tuition fee for YLP is $150, due at time of program commitment. Once applicants are accepted into YLP payment plans can be arranged if necessary.

Individual financial aid is available. Funds are limited and based on need. If you are in need of financial assistance select Yes below and fill out the form completely. PLEASE NOTE: Your financial need information will not be reviewed by the selection committee prior to any offer of acceptance. We do not consider financial need in our decision-making.

Note: applicants will not be considered for financial aid if this application is not completed in its entirety.
My tuition will be paid by*

MyselfParent/GuardianMy SchoolScholarshipOther
I need financial assistance*

YesNo
Amount of aid needed*
Dollar amount up to $100
Total household income (approximately)*
Briefly state your reasons for requesting financial aid:*
Signature
BY SIGNING BELOW, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

1) Throughout the Youth Leadership Program, there may be instances where transportation is provided at the sessions and/or retreat. By signing below, you are giving permission for the provided transportation and acknowledging your parent/guardian will need to provide permission upon acceptance to the program.

2) Transportation to and from YLP monthly sessions is the responsibility of the student and their parent/guardian to coordinate. This may be done in collaboration with other students/guardians but by signing below you acknowledge understanding that this expectation is in place, and understand that this could be transportation to any point within Berkshire County.

3) Within this program, there will be various physical interactions. Although our volunteers and staff will do our best to accomodate those with differing physical ability levels, you are signing below to confirm that you are aware that physical activity will take place at the retreat and sessions.

4) You confirm that you read all associated information at the links provided in the beginning of this application, including but not limited to the dates of program sessions, requirements of participants, and forms that will need to be filled out if you are accepted.

5) You agree to participate in a mandatory interview for consideration for acceptance into the program.

By signing below, I agree that should I be selected to participate in YLP, I will attend the entire retreat from June 12 through June 14, 2026, all program days, and commencement. I have read and I understand the attendance policy.

I hereby certify that the information in this application is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I hereby give 1Berkshire permission to share information on this application with the YLP Selection Committee.
Applicant Signature*
Today's Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Should be Empty:

Berkshire Youth Leadership Program

Personal Information

Parent/Guardian Information

School Information

Coach/Advisor Information

Activities, Awards & Work

Essay

Tuition & Financial Aid

Signature