Youth Leadership Academy Expands to Franklin

Thanks to the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.

DEDHAM, MA – Sheriff Patrick McDermott announced last week that the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office is expanding its popular Youth Leadership Academy to Franklin, MA, this summer in order to better serve residents across Norfolk County. Based on the success of a one-week Franklin pilot program in the summer of 2021, the Youth Leadership Academy will be hosted in Franklin for seven weeks, starting July 5th
and running through August 19th.

“We are committed to making sure that every resident of Norfolk County has access to the life-changing resources of the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff McDermott. “By expanding our Youth Leadership Academy to Franklin, we are not only giving youth from the south of the county access to an amazing opportunity, we’re also giving them access to the kinds of skills and experiences that will help them develop into community leaders.”

With a goal of developing youth leaders in the community, the Academy includes icebreakers, games, activities, and demonstrations aimed at building self-confidence, problem-solving, goal-setting, and communication skills in a fun and adventurous environment. One of the highlights of the Academy is a high-adventure ropes course that challenges participants to set goals and push themselves beyond their boundaries.

Youth participating in the Franklin Youth Leadership Academy will meet every day at Parmenter Elementary School at 235 Wachusett St. The Academy will include two off-site adventure days at a local ropes course and the Sheriff’s Office’s ropes course facility in Braintree.

The Youth Leadership Academy, which is beginning its 20th year of operation, is very popular among Norfolk County families and typically fills up quickly every year. Those wishing to register for the Franklin Youth Leadership Academy can do so at youthacademyfranklin.campbrainregistration.com.