ARDEN LEADERSHIP LAB
A different kind of leadership program for young people.
A 10-week program for young people in grades 6–8 who are ready to become more confident, independent, and self-directed.
90 minutes. Once a week. No lectures. No worksheets. No homework.
What is the Leadership Lab?
A small group of young people. Real challenges. Room to figure it out.
Through a cycle of learn→do→reflect→try again, they learn to:
Know themselves — understand their strengths, values, emotions, and patterns
Take initiative — turn ideas into action and make things happen
Work with others — communicate, collaborate, speak up, and lead
Handle hard things — navigate discomfort, setbacks, and uncertainty
Expand their story — discover new possibilities for who they are and who they could become
WHAT WILL YOUR CHILD GAIN?
More Confidence →“I can figure this out.”
More Independence →“I can make decisions for myself.”
More Initiative →“I can make something happen.”
More Self-Awareness →“I know who I am and what matters to me.”
More Resilience →“I can handle things when they don't go as planned.”
They don't just leave knowing more.They leave knowing more about themselves—and what they can do.
Three things make Arden different.
1. LEARN BY DOING
Forget sitting around talking about leadership.
We practice skills instead of sitting through lessons about them.
2. BUILD FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Before How do I lead? comes Who am I? What matters to me? Who do I want to become?
3. LEARN FROM PEOPLE JUST AHEAD OF YOU
High school mentors bring a perspective adults can’t. They share their experiences, model what’s possible, and give younger participants someone to look up to.
What Does It Look Like?
In a Leadership Lab session, young people might:
The Ask
Learn how to introduce yourself, make a clear request, follow up, and handle a “no.”
The State Lab
Experiment with energy, attention, environment, and thoughts to discover what helps you feel and perform at your best.
The Courage Challenge
Choose something you’re avoiding or curious about—and give it a real try.
The Boredom Challenge
Work with a team to invent something young people would actually want to do instead of being on a screen- and convince us it’s worth trying.
The Curveball
Your team is dropped into a real-life scenario. You have a plan, and a curveball changes everything. Adapt and figure out what to do next.
Plan an event
Your team has a limited budget, a real goal, and a deadline. Plan an event or experience from start to finish.
The Lab Ends With a Showcase
Show what you tried. Show what you learned. Show what you discovered about yourself.
IS IT A GOOD FIT?
The Leadership Lab may be a good fit if your young person is:
Capable but ready for more confidence and independence
Hesitant to try things they're not already good at
Full of ideas but needs to take more action
Curious about who they're becoming
They don't need to be outgoing or see themselves as a leader. They just need to be willing to show up, try, and grow.
WHAT PARENTS CAN EXPECT
Arden is designed for young people—but the goal is to make parenting a little easier too.
You'll receive simple Field Notes throughout the Lab so you know what your child is exploring and have ideas for continuing the conversation at home.
Common Questions
Is this just another after-school activity?
No. Arden isn't about learning another subject or skill. Young people practice navigating challenges, making decisions, taking initiative, working with others, and understanding themselves.
My child already has a lot going on. Why add something else?
There are no grades, homework, or extra work to take home. The learning happens through the experiences themselves—and the skills they practice carry into school, sports, friendships, and everyday life.
My child doesn't want to do it. Should I make them?
Let’s be honest—your child probably isn’t asking for a leadership and personal growth program. And that’s okay. Arden Leadership Lab isn’t designed to feel like another class. Young people get to make choices, try things, and discover the value for themselves. A willingness to show up and participate matters more than arriving already excited about leadership.
What if my child isn't a “leader”?
That's exactly who Arden is for. Leadership starts with knowing yourself, trusting yourself, and taking responsibility for your choices—not being the loudest person in the room.