Current Programs
Youth Advisory Council (YAC)
A teen led council staffed by Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) and comprised of representatives from each of the high schools in Loudoun County including public, private and home-school students. Up to six representatives from each school are accepted. The group includes over 50 youth engaged in actively identifying and publicly speaking about the wants and needs of Loudoun’s youth, planning youth events for teens including Youth Fest and the Battle of the Bands, and organizing community services activities. More information available at: www.loudounteens.org
Step Up Loudoun!
The first Step Up Loudoun was held in 2004. Through the past events, teens have vocalized a number of problems, risks and concerns facing Loudoun youth. This year, the Step Up Planning Committee is putting forth "A Call to Action" to Loudoun youth to take the initiative to not only identify but address these issues in our 1st Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition.
Middle and high school students are being encouraged to create and implement a solution to an issue faced by Loudoun youth. This solution can leverage any medium available that will improve the quality of life for Loudoun youth. The participant(s) putting forth the best solution will be awarded a cash prize and recognized at numerous Loudoun events. The deadline for project proposals is January 7th, 2011.
The goal of this competition is to provide participants the opportunity recognize, appreciate and leverage the assets of Loudoun County to make positive changes in their own lives and the lives of others. The outcome will be a tangible experience that will set apart the participants as action-oriented, can-do young adults with the self-motivation and determination to make a difference in their community.
Step Up Loudoun is conducted in partnership with the Advisory Commission on Youth (ACOY), the Loudoun Youth Advisory Council, Loudoun County PRCS, and Loudoun County Public Schools.
For more information, and to submit a proposal, visit www.stepuploudoun.org.
Leadership Loudoun Youth
In 2010 Leadership Loudoun and Loudoun Youth, Inc. partnered to create a new leadership program for high school students. The inaugural program including 18 youth representing nine local high schools was held August 16th-20th and plans are underway for the 2011 program.
Leadership Loudoun Youth is an experiential program designed to engage youth and develop their leadership skills, helping them to become confident, knowledgeable, and contributing members of the community. The week-long program introduces high school students to Loudoun County heritage, history, geography, culture, local business, state and local government, and non-profit organizations and leaders throughout Loudoun County.
The 2010 program was conducted In cooperation with PRCS and Piedmont Community Foundation.
For more information, including a detailed look at the inaugural program, please visit www.leadershiploudounyouth.org.
Free Saturday Night Soccer Program at Dulles Sport Plex
Loudoun Youth Inc. has partnered with the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, the Loudoun County Gang Response Intervention Team (GRIT), the Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services to provide Free Soccer on select Saturday evenings. At the beginning of the evening, youth are provided food and introduced to positive role models/speakers who educate them about topics including drug and alcohol abuse and gang prevention. By providing this opportunity to youth, Loudoun Youth can provide a safe place for youth to learn and engage in positive peer and adult relationships, while preventing them from being exposed to gangs and other negative influences they may find on their own on a Saturday night. For more information go to our Events page.
Youth Fest
An exciting full-day event hosted in partnership with the Loudoun Youth Advisory Council and Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services. The Sixth Annual Youth Fest is being planned for Saturday, June 25th, 2011 from 3-8 p.m. at Brambleton Town Center.
Youth Fest features live local teen bands and other stage acts providing entertainment for middle and high school students. Teens also enjoy interactive exhibits focusing on healthy living, after school programs, community, belonging and diversity. There is for all ages, including games, food, prizes, and much more! All teens have an opportunity to participate in the “Youth Fest 2010 Passport” raffle. This raffle encourages teens to complete their passport by visiting the local nonprofit and community agency booths and learning more about how they can get involved in their community.
Battle of the Bands
In 2009, Youth Fest was expanded to include four Battle of the Bands Friday night competitions. These events featured live local teen bands auditioning to be a part of Youth Fest 2010. They provided a safe space for teens to hang out on a Friday night, while also allowing us to select the best youth band for Youth Fest.
In 2010-2011, we will again host the Battle of the Bands as a fun, positive teen event on 4 Friday nights. The top 9 bands will be selected to play at Youth Fest, and an opening act for the headliner will be chosen at the finals in April. All Battle of the Bands events are held on Fridays from 6:30 - 10:00 p.m. at AVCOM/Visual Arts Studio located at 45965 Nokes Blvd., Suite 159, in Sterling. The dates of the compeitions and finals are December 10th, February 15th, March 25th and April 25th. For more information, visit www.loudounteens.org.
Rock the Runway
Presented by Verizon, Rock the Runway was Loudoun Youth’s first fashion show and fair highlighting local youth. The event which took place on Saturday, November 6th, included 51 youth models, 2 youth musicians, and accessories and clothing from local vendors who mentored youth prior to and during the event. It provided youth in the community the opportunity to build self-confidence and learn about themselves and the fashion world. Over 360 people attended and we raised $13,000 to support Loudoun Youth programs throughout the year.
The event included six fashion shows, five live musical performances, 11 clothing and accessory vendors, food provided by Jersey Mike’s Subs and Chantel’s Cakes and Pastries and beverages provided by the Loudoun Youth Advisory Council.
Loudoun Youth extends a huge thank you to all of the volunteers who made this possible. Your time and dedication is invaluable.
For more information, visit www.rocktherunway.org.
Youth Service Brown Bag Lunches
A lunch series designed to bring together youth-serving organizations and agencies to talk about what services each organization is currently providing to youth, and brainstorm ways that organizations can partner and collaborate. By bringing youth-serving organizations together, we hope to raise awareness about available youth services, promote collaboration, prevent duplication of services, and identify and address potential gaps. The Advisory Commission on Youth and the Loudoun Human Services Network support Loudoun Youth's efforts on this program. For more information, contact Christina Druther at 703-989-6781 or cdruther@loudounyouth.org.
Loudoun Youth Grants Program
Loudoun Youthinvests in youth programs and projects in Loudoun County. Grants are awarded through an RFP process. In 2010, Loudoun Youth provided funding to For Children's Sake, Louduon Cares Claude Moore Community Builders, Loudoun South Little League, Piedmont Arts Foundation and the Claude Moore Recreation Center's Middle School Teen Nights. For more information about these programs and how to apply, click on the Grants tab above.
Loudoun Youth Sponsorships
In addition to grants, Loudoun Youth provides sponsorships in smaller amounts throughout the year. In 2010, Loudoun Youth supported the following organizations and events through sponsorship: Boy Scouts, the Dodona Manor International Exchange Program, Harper Park Middle School Odyssey of the Mind, Family Fest, Loudoun Symphony Orchestra, Project Horse, Virginia Regional Transit and the YMCA.
