Youth Leadership Academy (Florida)
Youth Leadership Academy (YLA – Florida Youth Ranch / Camp Sorensen)
The Florida FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. (FL FBINAA) supports the young leaders of tomorrow through the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) by offering qualified students the opportunity to participate in an eight-day leadership development program. The YLA offers lifelong enrichment opportunities to youth who have demonstrated above-average academic standards and good citizenship to support these exceptional young leaders' drive for knowledge and their desire to make a difference in the world.
In the tradition of the FBI National Academy, the mission of the FL FBINAA YLA is to provide a foundation in ethical and moral leadership that encourages students to develop further the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to accept the challenge of leadership as a way of life. The Florida FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is not a part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation or acting on behalf of the FBI.
The Florida FBINAA annual YLA is an intense program of classroom study, physical fitness, guest lectures, and leadership experiences. The YLA is limited to students who are rising high school sophomores and juniors, ages 14 to 16. The selection process is highly competitive and limited to a certain number of slots.
The YLA is made possible and hosted by the Florida FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. (Florida FBINAA). Thanks to the generous support of our membership, chapters, sponsors, and the FBI, this exciting program is offered at no cost to accepted students. A cadre of law enforcement training instructors runs the program. Further, the program's counselors and instructional staff are FBI National Academy graduates who are members of the Florida FBINAA. Guest lecturers in various professional disciplines also assist in providing educational content to our YLA students.
The 2026 Florida FBINAA Youth Leadership Academy will be held July 11-18, 2026, at the Florida Youth Ranch (Camp Sorensen), located at 1017 Joshua Way, Hilliard, FL 32046. There is no cost to participants selected for the YLA. The Florida FBINAA fully funds lodging, food, uniforms/equipment, and other expenses for YLA attendees. Each attendee is responsible for transportation to and from Camp Sorenson. The deadline to apply for the 2026 YLA is May 1, 2026. Please click on the application below and return it to YLA Coordinator, Don Tuten, at [email protected] or [email protected].
YLA Core Courses & Presentations:
- American Constitution History
- Ethics
- Goal Setting
- Public Speaking
- Speech, Etiquette, and Dress
- Gun Safety
- Museum Tour
- Bullying
- Values and Choices
- Leadership
- Time Management
- Leadership Reaction Course
- Simulations Lab
- Tour of FBI Jacksonville Field Office
- Impairment
- Foundations for Good Decision-Making
- Financial Responsibility
If you have questions about YLA, please contact Don Tuten at [email protected] or [email protected]. Don can be reached at (904) 885-0394.
The FBINAA Focus on Youth Leadership
The FBINAA (National) and the Florida FBINAA (Florida Chapter) support the young leaders of tomorrow through the Youth Leadership Program (YLP) and Youth Leadership Academy (YLA). These programs are similar, but the YLP is hosted in Quantico, VA at the FBI Academy, and the YLA is hosted at the Florida Youth Ranch (Camp Sorensen) in Hilliard, Florida. The YLP is held each summer at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Generally, two youths from the Florida chapter are selected to attend the YLP. Because the Florida FBINAA desires to provide additional opportunities for young aspiring leaders to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities to make a difference in our communities and grow as leaders, the Florida FBINAA offers the Youth Leadership Academy, which is held at the Florida Youth Ranch (Camp Sorensen) in Hilliard, FL, each summer. Generally, 20-25 youth members from Florida are selected to attend the YLA each year. The YLP and YLA programs provide lifelong enrichment opportunities to support exceptional young leaders' drive for knowledge and their desire to make a positive impact in the world. The vision of YLP and YLA is to develop an influential community of socially conscious and service-minded leaders connected through association who positively shape the world.
