YMCA Macedonia announces a new program, Leaders-in-Training (LiT), that gives teens ages 15–18 the opportunity to grow as confident, responsible, and active leaders. The program, taking place during the school year, combines monthly leadership workshops with teamwork, community service, outdoor adventure, mentoring, and reflection.

Leaders-in-Training is designed for alumni of YMCA summer camps, their friends, and any other teens interested in developing their leadership potential. This year, one program will take place in Bitola and the other between Kumanovo and Shtip.

Learning by Doing

From September to May, participants meet one Saturday each month. Every session combines a practical leadership lesson, teambuilding, and a fun challenge, while exploring such topics as growth mindset, communication, emotional intelligence, goal setting, and becoming a camp leader. Sessions are in Macedonian and English.

Beyond simply learning about leadership, participants practice specific behaviors during hands-on experiences in the fall and spring:

Community Service Projects: Participants work together to make a positive contribution to their local community while discovering how leadership and service go hand in hand

Adventure Events: Participants engage in outdoor activities that challenge them to cooperate, solve problems, build resilience, and reflect on their leadership journey

Program Dates

September 2026 — Growth Mindset & The Power of “Yet”

October 2026 — Community Service Project

November 2026 — Adventure Weekend

December 2026 — Communication & Alumni–LIT Gathering in Skopje

January 2027 — Emotional Intelligence

February 2027 — Becoming a Camp Leader

March 2027 — Leadership & Goal Setting

April 2027 — Adventure Weekend & Service Project

May 2027 — Public Speaking, Program Close Celebration

A Path Toward Future Leadership

Leaders-in-Training offers a pathway to becoming a YMCA volunteer, camp counselor, and camp staff member. After growing through the LIT experience, participants continue developing their skills and eventually take on leadership roles at YMCA summer camps:

SPARK Day Camp (Strong Prepared Aspiring Responsible Kids): Grades 6-8

GLOW Overnight National Camp (Girls Leading Our World): High school girls

YMLP Overnight National Camp (Young Men’s Leadership Project): High school boys

Along the way, they build friendships across communities, increase their confidence through experiential learning, and develop a lasting connection with volunteerism.

Leaders-in-Training is for young people who are interested to learn, serve, and grow. YMCA Macedonia believes that leadership is not something young people have to wait to become. They can start leading now.

Contact YMCA.mk

Interested teens, parents, and teachers can contact and follow YMCA Macedonia for more information about Leaders-in-Training:

Tel: +389-70-594 341

Email: leaders@ymca.mk

Instagram: @ymca.mk

Facebook: @ymca.mkd