The "Developing Young Leaders" program was designed and created for local high-school Juniors and Seniors by Haydn Hasty, Ed.S., Ph.D., President, and Terry Hasty, M.S., Vice-President, MindSpring Consulting, Inc.

The program is completely free of charge to the participants and their parents and represents MindSpring Consulting, Inc.’s commitment to the community and its youth. Download an application and apply here.

North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program students continue to rate MindSpring programs among the highest rated programs available for the Fellows. Dr. and Mrs. Hasty are the designers of all of these programs.

Dan Chase is the Director of the "Developing Young Leaders" program. Dan began working with middle school and high school students at summer camps from Connecticut to Texas. As the director of climbing and high ropes programs, he found a passion for helping young people develop leadership skills through mental, emotional, and physical challenges. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He currently teaches math, coaches wrestling, and rides his bike in the woods at Christ School in Arden, NC.

Our foundation and rationale for providing this experience is simple. The sooner a young person is exposed to healthy and satisfactory personal patterns, the more likely it is that the young person will incorporate those patterns in their life as they grow older. From 1995-1998, MindSpring Consulting conducted 27 adolescent programs with 575 participants, ranging in ages from 14-20. The intention of this project was to identify those factors and dynamics that truly contribute to sound adolescent development. What we have learned is this: to become a leader, it is highly likely that you will have to adopt behaviors, perceptions, and awarenesses to which you were not exposed in your early training and conditioning years. This does not mean you had bad parents or incompetent teachers. It means that there is a lot more to leadership than you know or have learned.

The objective of this program is to increase the student’s ability to take responsibility for the outcomes of their life in such a way that a foundation, appreciation, and pursuit for future leadership are laid. Essentially, we want the participant to increase the chances that they will live a satisfactory and rewarding life as a result of participating in this program. Whether they become leaders in their families or in their careers, this program can increase the student’s chances that it will happen.

A description of the Developing Young Leaders is as follows:

• The program is open to any enrolled Junior or Senior high school student.
• Participation is based upon an application based selection process.
• To be considered, the student must complete the application. Only 12-20 students will comprise each program.
• There are 6 non-school days that make up this program over the course of 6 months. Exact program dates will be determined by the group at their first meeting.
• Programs will be conducted at the MindSpring Consulting office, 966 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC.
• This experiential based program concentrates on three core areas: self-awareness, integrity, and leadership.
• Certificates of completion will be awarded at end-of-year ceremonies.
• In any program activity, regardless of where it takes place, there is no smoking.
• The participant certifies that they have read all the parameters above and the questions set forth in this application and the answers they furnish on are true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief. Participants understand that any false or misleading statement may result in not being selected for or being dismissed from the program. Participants understand that completing the application does not automatically grant selection and participation.

The most crucial element of this program is the student’s willingness to participate. If the student exhibits low willingness, they will not be expected or encouraged to attend. We only ask that the participant commit to the full program process. For those young people who do choose to belong to this significant opportunity, we are certain that they will benefit for years to come.

MindSpring Consulting is the designer and facilitator of the national USDA Forest Service program, "Leadership through Emotional Intelligence" and works with companies across the US in developing leadership. If you have any questions, please contact MindSpring Consulting, Inc. at 828-298-2488 or contact Mr. Chase at: dan@helpingyougrow.com. Download an application and apply here.