Academy Frequently Asked Questions

At Leaders Today we are happy to answer your trip-related questions. If your question is not addressed in our FAQ section please contact our office.

E-mail: academy@leaderstoday.com

1. Who can attend the Take Action! Academy?
2. How are the groups divided?
3. What are the accommodations like?
4. Can my daughter room with her friend?
5. What is a Take Action! day?
6. Can I pay by credit card?
7. My child has a lot of allergies; can we make special meal requests?
8. Do you have any scholarships to help me pay for the Academy?
9. Can teachers participate in your program?
10. Do you have programs similar to the Take Action! Academy in other locations?

  1. Who can attend the Take Action! Academy? Top

The Take Action! Academy strives to be inclusive of all young leaders.  Our participants range in age from 8-22, and join us from all over the world.  Participants are divided into groups, and each group’s training is matched to the participant’s age and experience level.

  1. How are the groups divided? Top

A team of facilitators assign participants to appropriate groups. The same facilitators will stay with a group, for the duration of the Academy.  Group assignments involve consideration of several factors, including whether the participant has attended the Academy before, the participant’s age, what activities they have been part of in their schools or communities, and what they hope to gain from the Academy (determined by their essay).  We want every participant to be challenged and to be able to focus on the specific skills they are seeking in order to be more socially active when they return home.

  1. What are the accommodations like? Top

layout
Academy participants stay on a private floor of the residence at Humber College’s Lakeshore campus.  Males and females are housed in separate suites and the halls are monitored at night.

Four participants are assigned to a residence suite.  Each suite has two bedrooms with one queen-size bed each, a kitchen area with a fridge, table, and microwave, and a private washroom.  For an additional fee, participants may have their own bed within a suite, and can share a kitchen and washroom with the 1-2 other participants who stay in the other bedroom.

  1. Can my daughter room with her friend? Top

We want all participants to be comfortable in their room arrangements, and we will do everything possible to honor participants’ requests to share rooms with specific people.  Please indicate roommate requests when you send in your registration form.

  1. What is a Take Action! day? Top

A Take Action! day is a chance for participants to get practical, hands-on experience working with an issue or skill of their choosing.  Participants will have a chance to sign up for whichever Take Action! day activity interests them, and will then visit  prominent organizations, experts, and activists in the Greater Toronto area whose work relates to that issue.  It’s all about learning the many ways you can take action to improve your community! 

What are you passionate about?  Here are some examples of what a Take Action! day might become for you!

  1. Homelessness: build a house for a family with Habitat for Humanity.
  2. Media: former Much Music VJ explains how to attract the television media, and what to say and do in a live interview.
  3. Theatre: turn acting into action with a workshop on street theatre.
  4. Journalism: practice the tricks of the trade with professional writers from the Toronto Star or Canadian Living.
  5. Environment: spend the morning planting trees and learn to facilitate ecology workshops for elementary students.
  6. And lots more!
  1. Can I pay by credit card? Top

No, unfortunately we are not equipped to accept payments by credit card for the Academy.  Please mail your deposit cheque along with your registration form to:

Leaders Today
Take Action! Academy
225 Carlton St
Toronto, Ontario M5A 2L2

  1. My child has a lot of allergies; can we make special meal requests? Top

Meals are served buffet-style, and participants will be able to choose from a meat and a vegetarian entrée at each meal in addition to a salad bar, fruit, and beverages.  Please inform us in advance of all allergies and medical conditions, and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.

  1. Do you have any scholarships to help me pay for the Academy? Top

We are committed to making the Academy accessible to all participants.  The best way to cover the cost of the Academy is through fundraising.  Lots of participants have been successful in raising the money for the Academy or even an international trip. The trick is to START EARLY and BE CREATIVE!  Download the fundraising package to get started!

The Take Action! Bursary provided by Investors Group is a small supply of money that is granted to participants on a case-by-case basis. We do not grant full bursaries, but may provide cost reductions based on each participant’s needs. Email academy@leaderstoday.com or click here for the application.

If, through fundraising efforts or other means, you are able to raise more money than you need for yourself, please consider making a donation to the Joe’s Dream Scholarship fund.

  1. Can teachers participate in your program? Top

The Take Action! Academy is a youth-focused program, and is facilitated by our professional facilitation team.  We have the deepest appreciation for teachers who are interested in helping youth develop leadership skills, but the Take Action! Academy only accepts youth participants who have not graduated from university.  

Free The Children and Leaders Today have several opportunities for teachers to get involved in our programs.  Teachers are invited to sponsor Free The Children Youth in Action groups, invite motivational youth speakers to their schools, or participate in our teacher training programs.

  1. Do you have programs similar to the Take Action! Academy in other locations? Top

The Toronto Academy has been very successful over the last several years, and has inspired several similar programs conducted by Leaders Today in other locations.  Southridge School in Surrey, BC hosts a Global Leadership Academy each August, and last year Leaders Today hosted its first leadership academy in Beijing China. 

Leaders Today’s facilitation team can also create customized Global Leadership Seminars, which brings leadership training to your school or community group.  Contact info@leaderstoday.com for details.