Adventures in Leadership (AIL) is a week-long leadership intensive for Northwest Conference high school students who are ready to be stretched—spiritually, personally, and as leaders. Designed for students with growing leadership responsibility and potential, AIL helps them learn how to lead with faith, humility, courage, and clarity as followers of Jesus.
The week begins at Adventurous Christians on the Gunflint Trail. In community, students engage in worship and leadership learning, and reflect on their strengths, values, and emerging sense of call. They also learn essential wilderness skills, including camping and canoeing.
Mid-experience, students enter the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for a four-day canoe expedition. With guidance from experienced wilderness staff and youth ministry leaders, students take on real leadership—making decisions, navigating challenges, caring for one another, and learning when to step forward and when to serve. Each day includes time for reflection, conversation, and prayer, connecting lived experience with faith and leadership.
AIL is not about producing a certain kind of leader. It is about helping students understand how God has uniquely formed them—and how leadership rooted in servanthood takes shape in real life.
Students return home with deeper self-awareness, greater trust in God, strengthened resilience, and relationships that continue long after the experience ends.
To find the application packet, church leader letter, parent/guardian letter, and AIL flyer, scroll down to the Downloads section at the bottom of this page. Please submit your application, references, and a $100 deposit by Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. We will let you know your acceptance status by Wednesday, March 4, 2026. If you are not accepted, your deposit will be refunded.
If you have any questions, please contact Ginny Olson, Director of Next Gen Ministry.
Please note that AIL includes significant physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges. Keep this in mind as you consider nominating someone or applying.
The application packet, church leader letter, parent/guardian letter, and AIL flyer can be found in the Downloads section at the bottom of this page.
Applications include:
Deposits are refunded if a student is not accepted. Questions may be directed to Ginny Olson, Director of Next Gen Ministries. Please note: AIL includes significant physical, emotional, and spiritual challenge. Students should be ready for discomfort, growth, and shared responsibility.
“I learned I can do hard things.” — AIL 2024 student
“AIL challenged me in ways I didn’t expect. The canoe trip was hard and fun, and it showed me I’m capable of more than I thought.” — Melinda
“AIL helped me grow spiritually and as a leader, and I built friendships that really matter.” — Tyler
“I learned a lot about myself, leadership, and what it looks like to lead alongside others.” — Andrew
“This week helped me see how God can use many different kinds of leaders—and how He might use me.” — Lizzie
AIL is best suited for high school students who show curiosity about leadership, faith, and responsibility—even if they don’t yet see themselves as “leaders.” Ideal nominees are students who are dependable, teachable, and willing to be stretched; they may already lead in visible ways or be quietly influential among peers. AIL is not about polish or performance, but about readiness to engage challenge, reflect honestly, and grow in community. Students should be emotionally mature enough to handle discomfort, group dynamics, and time away from home, and open to exploring how God might use their gifts for the sake of others.
Adventures in Leadership is designed for students who are ready to grow through challenge, community, and guided reflection. Throughout the week, your student will be supported by experienced leaders as they learn practical skills, deepen their faith, and develop confidence and resilience. While AIL includes physical and emotional challenge, safety, supervision, and care are central to the program. Many parents share that their student returns home more self-aware, grounded, and confident—better able to name their gifts and take responsibility in healthy ways.
Never done something like this before? Most students haven’t and that’s okay—leadership grows when you step into something new. AIL might be a good fit if you’re someone who:
You don’t need to be the loudest, most confident, or most experienced leader. AIL is for students who are open to growth and ready to be stretched.