Program

Teen Leadership Waco consists of a team building program and orientation day and seven individual workshops.  Workshops are scheduled on a Monday from 8:00 AM until 3:30 PM and have a particular theme that is followed throughout that day.

June, July and August are the only months when there are no formal program activities.

2025 CALENDAR

Class 1 - Orientation Retreat - February 2, 2026

Class 2 – History Day  - March 2, 2026

Class 3 - Economic Development Day – March 30, 2026

Class 4 – Community Partners Day – April 27, 2026

Summer Break: June - August

Class 5 - City & County Day - September 14, 2026

Class 6 – Healthcare Day - October 5, 2026

Class 7 - Education Day - November 2, 2026

Class 8 - Law & Order Day - December 7, 2026

Transportation

A bus will be provided for transportation during the days of TLW events and transportation will be provided by a licensed commercial driver with no criminal history. 

No student may follow in his/her car for any reason. 

Parents will receive a copy of the schedule and can make arrangements to drop off or pick up their child as needed.  Please communicate with the director.

Attendance Policy

Absences

Attendance at all Teen Leadership Waco (TLW) events is crucial. Students are allowed a maximum of two approved absences during the program year. Exceeding this limit will result in being removed from TLW without a refund. Exceptions for extreme circumstances will be reviewed by the Advisory Committee.

• Half-Day Absences: No more than two half-day absences are permitted. Leaving early or arriving late disrupts the program and should be minimized. Make plans to attend until class is dismissed at 3:30 each day.
• Communication: Notify the TLW team of any planned absences as far in advance as possible.
  • For planned absences: Email rligon@wacochamber.com.
  • For same-day absences: Call or text 210-618-7667 to ensure timely communication.
  • Both the student and parent must notify the TLW team before any absence.

Keeping Teachers Informed

Students are responsible for informing their teachers about the TLW schedule at the start of the program and throughout the year. Since the program runs across two school years, it is important to communicate again in August with new teachers.

• Tests and assignments impacted by TLW events should be coordinated in advance (e.g., taking Monday tests on Friday).
• While TLW communicates with school administrators, counselors, and attendance clerks, it does not communicate directly with teachers.

School Reporting

• Attendance Reporting: Roll will be taken at each event and shared with schools via a sign-in sheet.
• School Policies: Absence policies vary, but all area schools recognize the TLW program. Participation will not impact final exam exemptions.

The total fee for Teen Leadership Waco tuition is $500. The final payment is due May 1, 2026. 

Payment Details

• Payments may be made in multiple installments by check or by credit/debit card.
• To pay by card, utilize THIS LINK. Please include student's name as "recognition name." Sponsors may also use this link.
• If you or your sponsor prefers to pay by check, make checks payable to Greater Waco Chamber.

Deliver or mail payments to:
Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce
101 S. Third St.
Waco, TX 76701

Include "TLW" in the payment reference.

Sponsorship Requirement

Each student must secure a financial sponsorship of $100 or more from an unrelated individual or business. Sponsorship funds count toward the program fee and are also due by May 1, 2026.

• Students are encouraged to seek multiple sponsorships to cover the full program fee, if needed.
• Sponsors may request updates from students during or after the program year.
• Students should send thank you notes to their sponsors to express gratitude. To help you with this, here is a TLW Sponsorship Payment Form.  Please utilize this form to keep track of sponsors' information and your total tuition payments.

Volunteer Hours Requirement

Teen Leadership Waco participants must complete 28 volunteer hours outside of program activities and group projects during the year.

Monthly Hour Requirements

• School Year (Feb-May, Sept-Dec): Average of 2 hours per month
• Summer (June-Aug): 5 hours per month
• A minimum of 18 hours must be completed by September.

Guidelines for Volunteer Hours

• Diversify Your Efforts: Volunteer at 4-5 different organizations. No more than 14 hours can be completed at a single organization.
• Religious Institution Limit: Up to 14 hours can be completed at a church, synagogue, mosque, etc. (Volunteer hours at religious-affiliated organizations like Caritas or Meals on Wheels are exempt from this limit.)
• Excluded Activities: PALS or tutoring hours do not count.

The goal is to assist charitable organizations outside your usual activities, encouraging new and meaningful experiences in the community.

List of opportunities

Documenting Volunteer Hours

In order to make it easy as possible to document your hours, please utilize this form to submit your hours:

https://form.jotform.com/wacochamber/tlw-volunteer-service-hours-record

Use your phone to take a selfie, and include it when you use the form.

Group Service Project

The Teen Leadership Waco Class will organize and execute a group service project requiring a minimum of 4 hours.

• If unable to attend, students can contribute by:
  • Securing donations, contacting media, or writing thank-you notes to donors.
  • Additional volunteer hours will be assigned if a student does not participate directly.

Teen Leadership Waco Volunteer Opportunities

Upcoming Chamber Events:

 The Texas Food Truck Showdown - Volunteers are needed to serve at this great annual event! Saturday, April 11

TriWaco Triathlon - There are opportunities to volunteer both on Saturday, June 27 during packet pickup and pre-race setup, and on race day, Sunday, June 28.  

Other Organizations:

Meals on Wheels - Sign up to volunteer to deliver meals to those in need. If you sign up, please be patient if you do not hear back immediately.  

Hewitt Public Library - Sign up to help shelving and straightening books; Assisting with storytimes, activities, and movies; Assisting with art projects; Preparing crafts and other activities. Need to go to the website and scroll down to “How to get Started” to create a MyImpact profile. 

Waco Civic Theater - Sign up to Greet guests as they arrive, Check in guests and handing out playbills, Directing guests to their seats, Working Concessions, Cleaning the auditorium of spills after. Click this link and then hit one of the two beige boxes and it will send you to their current show and sign up options. 

Caritas - Sign up to help restock shelves, bag food, Re-stock bonus items, help retrieve empty baskets, bag/separate supplies or donations for events.

Shepherd's Heart Food Pantry - Sign up to help in the pantry, make deliveries, work in the store, or help with distributions.

Salvation Army - Sign up to help in the community kitchen or the family thrift store. 

Keep Waco Beautiful - This website should send you to their most recent volunteer opportunities. Help with cleanups and other sort of maintenance projects around Waco.  

Mobilize Waco - Click the link to sign up to be added to their email list to learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities, also their website contains their upcoming events. 

Compassion Waco - Sign up to help with volunteer opportunities such as Childcare, Apartment Hosting, Budgeting, Mentoring, Administrative Support, Organizing (Mostly this I think), Event Planning, Fundraising, Marketing/Social Media, Tutoring. 

Fuzzy Friends - Sign up to learn about volunteer opportunities that you can do regarding your age, Opportunities such as General Rescue Maintenance, Office/Clerical Work, Writing Animal Profiles, Cat/Dog Socialization, Dog Walking, Off-Site Events, Special Projects. 

No Limitations -  (Need an adult to sign up) There are many volunteer opportunities at No Limitations and we are confident you will find something you enjoy. Whether you become a coach, assistant coach, pal, coordinator, or team parent, or even board member, you will be helping our athletes become healthier and gain greater independence.

Historic Waco - A volunteer program for students in 8th grade through 12th grade who are interested in service to the community and want to be part of festive celebrations at House Museums.