Applications are now open for the Eastern Shore Chamber Foundation’s 2022 Youth Leadership Program. Completed applications are due by Friday, April 15. This year’s program will begin on Aug. 27, with a mandatory Opening Retreat and Orientation. Locations and schedules will be announced prior to the start of the program.

The Youth Leadership Program is “an intensive and elite seven-month program designed to provide Eastern Shore high school students with the opportunity to gain a greater knowledge about their community, develop strong leadership skills and gain more self and social awareness,” according to a release.

During the course of the program, students learn about the history and geography of Baldwin County; law and government; business smarts; health and human services; and environment.

Students will participate in both class sessions and in teams where they will develop small group projects that address and benefit a special community need. To date, more than 600 students have participated in the program.

“The Chamber’s Youth Leadership Program recognizes that we can build vital communities that value fairness, diversity and integrity by developing young leaders,” according to a release.

The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Foundation was incorporated in 2002 to serve as a charitable partner of the Eastern Shore Chamber. It is a nonprofit organization with a mission to address the need for quality programming for Eastern Shore high school students.

For more information, call the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce at 251-928-6387.