FAQs

WHAT IS KEY LEADER?

Key Leader is a service leadership education program developed by Kiwanis International for high school students and graduating 8th grade students. The Key Leader mission is to provide a life-changing experience that inspires young people to achieve their personal best through service leadership.

WHO CAN ATTEND A KEY LEADER EVENT?

Events are open to all students ages 14 to 18. There is no limit to the number of participants from any individual school, and attendees are not required to be members of Kiwanis programs such as Key Club. 

WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEKEND?

Students will arrive for registration at 4 p.m. on Friday and depart after 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. All lodging, meals and activities are at the event site during that time. A sample agenda for the weekend can be viewed by clicking here.

WHAT HAPPENS AT A KEY LEADER WEEKEND?

The students have large and small group activities, with a combination of lectures, discussion, interactive activities and audio-visual presentations. Every weekend will offer lots of fun with new friends, and is lead by a highly qualified and trained Lead Facilitator. Key Leader programs focus on the five Key Leader principles: Personal Integrity, Personal Growth, Respect, Building Community, and Pursuit of Excellence. Students learn to follow Robert Greenleaf’s servant leadership model. 

Key Leader programs focus on the five Key Leader principles: Personal Integrity, Personal Growth, Respect, Building Community, and Pursuit of Excellence. Students learn to follow Robert Greenleaf’s servant leadership model. 

ARE ADULTS PRESENT DURING THE WEEKEND?

A professional Key Leader facilitator will lead the event. Our lead facilitators come from backgrounds in education and program facilitation and have successfully completed a training course on the curriculum. Each Kiwanis district provides trained adult volunteers to coordinate the logistics and supervise students. All adult volunteers and chaperones are required to pass a background check and complete an extensive youth protection training program each year. (Learn more about Kiwanis Youth Protection guidelines.)

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The all-inclusive cost to attend a Key Leader weekend is largely underwritten by Kiwanis clubs, their members, the Rocky Mountain District Kiwanis Foundation, local businesses, and corporations. Students participants are asked to contribute only $50. Student neighborhood leaders and chaperones attend in support of the Key Leader weekend and are not charged.  A school, Kiwanis club, community organization, religious group, family or others can also sponsor a student or students. To support a student, or help underwrite Key Leader in the Rocky Mountain District make a direct donation by clicking here. If you work for a business interested in supporting Key Leader please send an email to Chris Scurto and we will be in touch.

ARE THERE STUDENT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES DURING A KEY LEADER WEEKEND?

Yes. High school students who have previously attended a Key Leader event may apply to be student facilitators. Key Leader graduates can apply as student facilitators.

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT KEY LEADER?

Visit Kiwanis International’s Key Leader website at key-leader.org or E-mail your questions to rmdkeyleader@gmail.com.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE KEY LEADER TRAINING

Click here for a list of items to bring with you to Key Leader.