2023 BLUE RIDGE LEADERS' SCHOOL
Session 1: June 17-24, 2023
Session 2: July 22-29, 2023

Welcome to the official application page for Blue Ridge Leaders’ School 2023! Please familiarize yourself with the information on this page as the application process contains several phases. Be sure to download the Operations Guides at the links below, which outline important information for parents, leaders and advisors on everything you need to know prior to, during and following the week on the mountain.

2023 Registration Links

Key Dates

  • January 16, 2023: Registration info released, review all material with parents and leaders
  • January 23, 25 & 26, 2023 @ 7:30pm Eastern Time: Advisor Webinars on Blue Ridge Leaders’ School 2023 via Zoom
  • January 24, 2023: Online Leader and Senior Leader Application links open
  • February 28, 2023: Club Registration Application link opens
  • February 28, 2023: Financial Assistance Application Deadline
  • April 25, 2023: Any cancellations after this date are subject to full payment
  • May 23, 2023: Remaining Club balance due
  • June 1, 2023: Deadline for Session 1 Club Achievement Submission
  • June 17-24, 2023: Blue Ridge Leaders’ School – Session 1
  • July 15, 2023: Deadline for Session 2 Club Achievement Submission
  • July 22-29, 2023: Blue Ridge Leaders’ School – Session 2

Operations Guides

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Advisor Info BRLS 2019

Fees

  • Leader: $600 (Deposit $150 per Leader) – fee includes school photo
  • Senior Leader/Advisor: $640
  • Staff Member: $135
  • Observer (age 13+): $475
  • Observer Child (age 3-12): $215
  • Observer Infant (age <2): $0
  • Club Delegation Fee: $100 per Club

Online Application Process Overview

See above timeline for dates relating to each step of the process.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click on a question below to view the answer. After reviewing the info below, if you still have questions about the application process, please email Brianne at briannep@yblueridge.org. If you are experiencing technical difficulties with the online application forms, please click here.

Each leader, together with their advisor, will submit his/her application. Typically, clubs host “Club Application Meetings” where all leaders submit their online applications at the same time. Please contact your advisor for more information on your club’s process for submissions.

Each LEADER needs to have the following completed prior to submitting his/her application:

  • A completed Parent Release Form (to be scanned / uploaded as part of the online application and turned in to the advisor). Note: Parents and advisors must sign this form prior to submission; and
  • A digital copy of a headshot (.jpg or .png) to upload as part of the leader’s application.

Each SENIOR LEADER AND ADVISOR needs the following:

  • A digital copy of a headshot (.jpg or .png) to upload as part of the senior leader’s / advisor’s application.

Reminders for Advisors:

  • Ensure that both sides of the Parent Release Form are completed and signed by the parent and advisor prior to submission of the application. Please collect all leaders’ Parent Release Forms and retain these for your records.
  • Please make sure to carefully review each leader’s application prior to submission and ensure class selections are completed properly.
  • You will be provided with an Advisor Code that you will need to input on each leader’s application prior to submission.

Click here to preview the questions that will be on the Leader Application

Click here to preview the questions that will be on the Senior Leader Application

We are requiring photos of everyone on the mountain for security, safety and identity purposes. Photos do not need to be high resolution, but do need to clearly display the individual’s face only.

The online Club Registration Form must be submitted by advisors after the club’s leaders and seniors have submitted individual applications. The purpose of the Club Registration Form is to officially “apply” for your club’s delegation and provide current information about the club’s YMCA, Association, Executive Director, Advisor and other important information. Please refer to the timeline shown on this page for all relevant dates.

Click here to preview the questions that will be on the Club Registration Form

Each advisor will need to complete a Club Delegation Spreadsheet after all leaders and seniors have submitted their applications. Advisors must clearly indicate in the form who is authorized to attend BRLS and which seniors are cleared and/or waitlisted. The spreadsheet must be completed, signed by the advisor and the applicable YMCA executive, and uploaded as part of the Club Registration Form. Please refer to the timeline shown on this page for all relevant dates.

Each club is permitted to bring 25 leaders. Additional leaders will be automatically waitlisted. All approved/waitlisted leaders must be clearly indicated on the advisor’s Club Delegation Spreadsheet.

Each club is permitted to bring a maximum of 2 seniors. There is a strict ratio of 1 senior per every 15 leaders. Additional seniors will be automatically waitlisted. For purposes of clarity, if one senior is also identified as an advisor, then that club is permitted to bring only one senior. All approved/waitlisted seniors must be clearly indicated on the advisor’s Club Delegation Spreadsheet.

Once your Club Delegation Spreadsheet and all leader applications are received, we will contact you with the approved number of spots for your club and let you know whether your club has been enrolled. A club delegation fee in the amount of $100 plus a deposit in the amount of $150 per leader will be due upon enrollment.

Payments must be made in one lump sum by your YMCA to cover all approved leaders, seniors and the advisor. Payment can be made in two ways: (1) Send a check to Blue Ridge Assembly, Attn: Blue Ridge Leaders’ School, 84 Blue Ridge Circle, Black Mountain, NC 28711. Please make sure you include your Club/YMCA name on the memo line of the check; or (2) by credit card via Square invoice. Note that a 3% fee will apply to your total if you elect to pay by card. If you want to pay by card, please indicate so on the Club Delegation Spreadsheet and we will send you a Square invoice.

You will be notified of payment deadlines for any outstanding balances due.

Note that cancellations after April 25, 2023 will be subject to full payment and will not be eligible for a refund.

No. We will email each advisor to confirm when your club has been officially enrolled or waitlisted for Session 1 (June) or Session 2 (July) and how many spots are confirmed.

Click here to view the full list and class/clinic descriptions.

Here is the link to the Financial Assistance Application. Financial assistance is available to leaders on a needs-basis. Parents or legal guardians of leaders who are interested in financial assistance should submit a Financial Assistance Application by February 28, 2023. Financial assistance award notifications will be sent on or about April 25, 2023.

If you have drops or need to make changes to your club delegation, please email Brianne at briannep@yblueridge.org. If any of your leaders have medical conditions that have changed, please email Brianne ASAP.

No. If you are a club advisor and have already submitted a BRLS Staff application, you do not need to complete a Senior Leader application at the Application Meeting. However, you will still need to complete the Club Registration Form.

Beginning with the 2021 school, BRLS began adjusting the Club Recognition process. The new program is now called Club Achievement. Find more information on specific criteria at the link below. Once BRLS notifies club advisors that their club has officially been enrolled in BRLS, advisors can then submit their club achievement documents using the link shown at the top and on the right side of this page.

Club Achievement Criteria

Advisor Steps

  • Distribute Parent and Leader Ops Manual, Parent Release Forms, Class Offerings/Descriptions PDF, Application Preview PDFs
  • Schedule your Club Application Meeting(s) on or after January 24 (or determine in advance a virtual process to review/submit leader applications)
  • Download the Club Delegation Spreadsheet
  • At the Club Application Meeting or through your club’s application process, each leader and senior will click on the link to their application form. Scan the signed Parent Release Forms and headshots (if they are not already in a digital format), review individual leader applications for accuracy, input the Advisor Code (which will be emailed to you) and submit the individual application for each leader. Save a hard copy of Parent Release Forms for your records.
  • Complete your Club Delegation Spreadsheet
  • Send interested parents the link to the Financial Assistance Form (once posted)
  • On or after February 28, submit the online Club Registration Form (upload your Club Delegation Spreadsheet as part of the form)
  • You will be notified that whether your Club has been enrolled or waitlisted
  • Once notified that your Club has been enrolled, you (1) will receive an invoice to pay your deposit; and (2) may submit a Club Achievement submission online
  • Email any changes to your delegation (including any changes to leaders’ medical conditions) to Brianne ASAP
  • See you on the mountain!