<p>
<a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/education/edlife/leadership-t.html?_r=1&ref=education[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/education/edlife/leadership-t.html?_r=1&ref=education</a></p>
<p>I toss these before my son sees them.</p>
<p>^^^ LOL. Me, too.</p>
<p>I throw them out too. However, I was glad to see the article. I think a lot of people are “fooled” by these offers. I know one low income family who got one and they thought it was a real honor and were going to try to figure out a way to send their kid. Once I explained it to them, they realized it wasn’t worth it.</p>
<p>Well, my D went to DC during the summer between 6th and 7th grade and she had a wonderful time meeting girls and boys from all over America, seeing historical sites, learning leadership skills and gaining a ton of confidence. I couldn’t believe how independent she became in just one week, and it awakened in her a love for travel. Yes, kids could get these things in other ways, but D loved it, and it was worth every penny. I think the experience helped pave the way for her to explore going to college out of state (she’s now a freshman two states away and very happy; not something I would have imagined when she was a child because she was very cautious and didn’t like to wander far). So, your mileage may vary.</p>
<p>My son had a life-changing experience at the NSLC’s law program in DC. Being in a public school where learning was not cool, he went to this program and engaged actively in working on his case and speeches, exploring DC, etc. For an active kid who is an active learner and who thinks presenting a case in a real courtroom in DC sounds more exciting than poring over textbooks, this kind of program can be wonderful. Later on he did summer programs that were more substantive, in university settings, but I think the Times went overboard in scoffing at this type. For some kids it is the intellectual equivalent of the Fresh Air Fund. Son is now an HYP grad with an excellent job and a full life.</p>
<p>My D received one of these invitations years ago during high school. What they offered seemed pretty impressive and we tried to figure out a way to afford the experience. However, the money just wasn’t there, so regretfully, we were forced to pass. I can see how it could be of great benefit to some kids—not necessarily for college admissions resume padding, but for the ways in which it offers opportunities for personal growth, ala momof2’s D. Same with the People to People travel opportunities.</p>
<p>There are also these honor societies that we get mail from and one of them specifically mentionned my son’s school, so I wasn’t sure if it was real or not, but the fact that they offered a sweatshirt with the seal on it for $59.99 was sort of a giveaway…haha! I ended up calling the Registrar at his school just to make sure it was bogus and she said to toss it.</p>
<p>Momof2inca - It is a great experience for kids - but it is the way that it is packaged that is worrisome. I work with teens and my concern has been for the families with modest incomes who believe this is a highly selective program and they are just so proud that their child was chosen. So, a little sunlight on the program is helpful to those of us who want to caution folks before they spend their money.</p>
<p>I also toss them before my son sees them, not because I think they’re all bad, but because there are other things he could do in the Summer (research at a local college, volunteering, etc.) that would be at least as valuable and much less costly. But for someone with money to spend, I’ve heard they are fun and educational.</p>
<p>Glad to see the article, though. I’ve often wondered about just how these conferences/businesses operate. Thanks for posting the link, DoveofPeace.</p>