Educators and school leaders recognize that academic achievement is only one part of a student’s success story. Thriving in school and life is deeply tied to students’ emotional well-being, relationships, and sense of belonging. That’s why now, more than ever, sending students to AWSL Summer Programs isn’t just a leadership opportunity; it’s an investment in their overall growth and the health of your school community.
At the Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL), our summer programs do more than develop leadership skills. We create Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), a research-backed foundation that sets students up for success for their future selves.
Positive Childhood Experiences are supportive experiences that cultivate well-being and strong relationships in young people.
Studies are showing that children who report higher PCEs experience:
- Lower rates of depression and anxiety.
- Stronger interpersonal skills and trust in others.
- Better educational outcomes and higher levels of hope for the future.
In fact, according to research summarized by the CDC, Positive Childhood Experiences can buffer the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), even if students have faced trauma or challenges in the past.
PCEs include key experiences like:
- Feeling a sense of belonging at school.
- Participating in community traditions.
- Feeling supported by peers and trusted adults.
- Developing positive, safe relationships outside of the home.
These are not “nice-to-haves.” They are critical developmental needs and should be afforded to as many students as possible; this is where AWSL Summer Programs come in!
AWSL’s summer programs, offered at multiple sites such as Cispus Learning Center, Eastern Washington University, and Central Washington University, intentionally embed PCEs into every moment.
Here’s how:
Belonging and Connection
Students join teams where every individual is seen, heard, and valued. Through shared traditions, team-building activities, and small group reflections, students build friendships that transcend backgrounds and differences, fostering a deep sense of belonging that extends beyond the week’s conclusion.
Supportive Adult Relationships
Trusted adults surround each student! Educators, counselors, college mentors, and administrators model compassion, provide guidance, and take a genuine interest in their growth. The AWSL Summer Program camp staff provides belief and support to students throughout the camp experience.
Participation in Meaningful Traditions
Students engage in powerful camp traditions that connect them to something larger than themselves, inspiring pride, celebration, and community spirit. These experiences allow students to share a common experience and let them know that they are not alone in the world.
Skill Development and Empowerment
Through dynamic leadership development training, students learn communication, collaboration, creativity, and connection, which are vital skills that empower them to lead others and themselves with confidence and empathy.
Positive Environments
AWSL staff are committed to creating spaces (and experiences) where all students feel free to express themselves fully in an enriching setting that allows them to learn, grow, and connect with others for themselves.
When schools invest in sending students to AWSL Summer Programs, they aren’t just developing next year’s leaders. They are:
- Building school climate leaders who return with energy, vision, and tools to uplift their peers.
- Strengthening relational trust across the building as students model positive leadership and community-building.
- Strengthening students’ ability to adapt and thrive in their respective contexts, giving them learning opportunities that increase success inside and outside the classroom.
- Investing in long-term school improvement. Strong students in leadership roles make stronger, more connected school communities.
Every year, thousands of students who attend AWSL programs describe the experience as transformational, not just for their leadership journeys but also for who they are as people.
AWSL Summer Programs are positive investments with a strong Return on Investment. If we truly believe in the whole-child approach, then experiences that cultivate Positive Childhood Experiences must be at the forefront.
AWSL’s Summer Programs offer one of the most powerful, research-aligned ways schools can give students the support, skills, and belonging they need while creating ripples of positive change across entire campuses.
Students leave AWSL Summer Programs not just ready to lead but ready to thrive. Send them, and invest in them. It is an investment you will not regret making!
