For Parents

WILL offers teens new horizons for their lives.

Wilderness, Leadership & Learning (WILL), Inc., is grounded in the belief that our youth are our greatest resource and that no barrier—real or perceived—should keep anyone from having the best life they can envision.

Parents Orientation:
Early in the fall, WILL holds an orientation for parents and new WILL members. This meeting affords us an opportunity to meet each other and to reach a mutual understanding of expectations and the need for communication. Parents play an important role in ensuring that their sons and daughters have a successful WILL experience. By supporting the WILL's mission, parents also support the development of mature decision-making skills in their children, helping them to understand consequences and the impact of their actions-or lack of action.

"Xavier is more respectful to his peers and he has learned to interact in a group. He has also grown more into a young man." — Geraldine, WILL Parent "The WILL program was God-sent. It was much more than I ever expected and I see the maturity level in my daughter changing because of the program." — Tyna, WILL Parent

Frequently Asked Questions for Parents:

• Who joins WILL?
  WILL is generally for 9th and 10th graders and is free for its members, who must commit to being in the program for at least a year and to actively participate in WILL events.
  
• What does WILL do?
  WILL gives young people the opportunity to see their world in a whole new way by participating in a variety of programs. These include wilderness challenges, educational trips, and special events designed to promote team-building and inspire mutual trust and growth as a leader. Each new experience is intended to help a teenager learn how to approach his or her life with integrity, self-reliance, and confidence. WILL members also have the opportunity to fulfill community service hours and to unravel the mysteries of the college admissions process. WILL staff can also write required letters of recommendation for your child and help them learn about scholarships, financial aid, and student loans and grants.
  
• How often does WILL meet—and where?
  WILL generally meets twice a month meets on Saturdays and school holidays, including a 3-day adventure at the Chesapeake Bay over Spring Break and a 7-day Expedition on the Appalachian Trail over the summer. From October through the following September, each youth participates in WILL activities for at least 275 hours, equaling 1.5 hours per student day, above and beyond each member’s regular in-school time. Meeting locations vary according to the activity; typically everyone meets at a central location, then we travel as a group to the event. Sometimes we meet at the program site.
  
• As a parent, how do I participate in WILL?
  Parents are an integral and important part of the WILL family and help ensure their child’s participation in WILL events and activities. The involvement and commitment of all of our members is necessary for the program’s success.

About our Logo…The WILL logo depicts the three main aspects of our philosophy:

• Wilderness - Wilderness experiences create opportunities to stretch beyond one’s comfort zones and achieve new levels of self confidence and teamwork. They help your son or daughter to understand that, with commitment, they can realize their goals and dreams.
  
• Leadership - WILL provides a training ground for developing the next generation of young leaders for DC. We stress the need for good communication—to each other and to all those depending on us. We keep the bar high in terms of expectations.
  
• Learning - WILL exposes teens to unique educational experiences that also build character and inspire new possibilities for their lives.

The sun and the water are the commitment and support offered by the WILL family so that our kids can flourish and reach their full potential.

"The college workshop sponsored by WILL in May was very informative. I had the opportunity to talk with representatives from a variety of colleges and universities and gain a better understanding of the admissions and financial assistance processes." — Sharon, WILL Parent