Youth Leadership Bedford County is a 10-month journey for no more than 25 tenth grade students from Bedford County school districts. After applying during their freshman year, the selected students gather for a summertime retreat, and then meet one school day per month to explore various aspects of the Bedford County community. Sessions focus on topics such as: History & Heritage, Communications, Education, Economic Development, the Judicial System & Government.

While traveling throughout the county and meeting with area business leaders, the class members also discover Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, providing them with valuable characteristics that will help them throughout their school years and beyond. The class also plans and executes a community service project, allowing them to put the leadership skills developed throughout the year to good use.

New as of 2017, the Chamber Foundation presents and annual Youth Leadership Summit, through which approximately 50 students are invited to participate in a one-day YLBC experience of team-building,  mentoring, and discussions of our community with many of the area’s servant leaders.