ION’s Teen Leadership Meet-Up

ION’s Teen Leadership Meet-Up brought together over 50 young folks from across Idaho to share their experience and opinions on youth programing.  On October 8, 2025, teens gathered at JUMP in Boise for teambuilding activities, reflections on leadership, and discussions about ION’s Building Blocks.  They also had some fun with a ride on JUMP’s 4-story spiral slide and a delicious dinner.  Five teens shared the outcomes of the Teen Leadership Meet-Up the next day at ION’s Power Up! Summit.

We asked: What needs to change in Youth Programs so youth can be their best selves?

Teens answered:

• Staff should make sure everyone’s voice is accounted for and heard 
• Teachers need to be more interactive and ask more questions
• Better understanding of adolescence
• More affirmations help mental heath  
• More access for students with mental health needs
• Young people’s emotions are real emotions!  Emotions matter! 
• Higher quality group projects  
• Have a better mix of fun activities and professional development opportunities  
• Not be forced to do an activity. No choice means power is taken away  
• More ways to celebrate accomplishments 

We asked: What does Youth Leadership look like?  

Teens answered:

• Human to human connections 
• Teamwork
• Effective communication 
• Discussion on both sides, partnership between teachers and youth to make something  
• Pulling other people up and supporting peers
• Do what feels right
• Feeling good and positive
• Being active in school and community, in multiple areas, not just in the program 
• Taking responsibility for work and the tasks