Patriot Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the flagship arm of The Torch of Freedom Foundation. All donations are tax-deductible.
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Through a partnership with the Centennial Institute, the Rocky Mountain Leadership Congress is hosted at Colorado Christian University and the Colorado state capitol in Denver.
During the week, students ages 16-24 will participate in the nation’s most realistic simulated legislative session. Leadership Congress provides in-depth leadership training, mentorship from top conservative thought leaders, and fellowship with other young men and women. First-year students will be paired with a seasoned alum who will walk you through the bill writing process and be your personal resource to answer your questions from what to wear to how to prepare. We are dedicated to setting you up for success and making this a week you will never forget!
Tuition includes lodging, meals, and transportation to and from the airport and between lodging and the state capitol through the duration of the Leadership Congress.
Upon acceptance, students will receive access to a student dashboard containing comprehensive prep materials. These materials consist of hours of invaluable resources that will edify you for your Leadership Congress experience and beyond! This incredible tuition rate is made possible by generous donors and there are limited slots, so apply before it is too late!
Thanks to Generous Donors
Due May 10
*Tuition-in-full must be postmarked or paid online by the date indicated.
*Tuition rates listed include the $97 deposit fee.
You should attend if you desire to grow in leadership, character, and courage. You’ll make lifelong friends and leave equipped to lead your sphere of influence wherever the Lord leads you.
Currently, we have events in Arizona, Idaho, Florida, Delaware, Texas, and Indiana. PLEASE NOTE: the 2024 National Leadership Congress will be taking place at the Patriot Academy Campus in Fredericksburg, Texas. If you would like to bring a Leadership Congress to your state, please email [email protected]. Students are housed at a hotel or dorm near the hosting state’s Capitol. Everything except sleep happens at the Capitol. For your committee meetings, you’ll meet in a Capitol committee room. You and other students will debate your bills on the main floor of the Capitol’s House or Senate chamber. Whatever you’re doing, it’s on location. The Regional Leadership Congress locations in Arizona, Idaho, Florida, Delaware, and Indiana are 3-day sessions, while the National Leadership Congress in Texas is a 7-day session open to all qualifying students from around the country.
A Patriot Academy Leadership Congress provides a hands-on, student-led, political philosophy, principles, and process immersion.
Students will experience:
Students will learn personal skills, such as:
Students will learn foundational philosophy for governance, including:
Students will hear about today’s most relevant issues from a Biblical worldview, including:
Students will receive practical advice and training from:
After a day of initial training and orientation, the schedule is typically: Breakfast, Devotional, Workshop, Committee Meeting, Lunch, Floor Session, Speaker, Committee Meeting, Dinner, Featured Speaker, Fellowship, and Sleep. This is a general representation of a schedule. We start early in the morning and go until late at night, generally a 12-15 hour day.
Students must be 16-25 years old; age exceptions may be allowed under special circumstances. You can contact us ([email protected]) if you’d like more information. All age waiver requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Click here to access our Fundraising Kit with many ideas!
A $97 non-refundable deposit is required when submitting an application for any Leadership Congress. The $97 deposit will be applied to your tuition. Fundraising opportunities are available. You will be assigned a mentor to guide you and help you brainstorm fundraising ideas. We also provide a comprehensive fundraising guide and sample letters for your use.
Click here to apply for Patriot Academy. Be prepared to provide:
We have 120 seats available for the National Leadership Congress in Texas, and approximately 50 seats available at each of the Regional Leadership Congress. We encourage you to apply early! It’s never too late to apply! Applications received after the Academy is full will be placed on a waiting list. To qualify for discounted rates, please note the tuition submission “postmarked/paid online deadlines” by which time tuition must be paid-in-full.
For specific discounted tuition rates for each Leadership Congress, click here. NOTE: Your spot is not guaranteed until tuition is paid-in-full and all registration forms are completed and submitted. (You may pay your tuition in full prior to acceptance to secure tuition rates.) Partial scholarships are available as funds last. Students must attempt to fundraise before requesting a partial scholarship. All partial scholarship requests are reviewed on an individual basis. Please contact us ([email protected]) for more information.
The Leadership Congress is an exhilarating, intense, and fun experience. In order to get the most out of your time with us at a Leadership Congress, our entire team is dedicated to helping you prepare for the week. You will be assigned a “mentor” who will walk you through the bill writing/research process (i.e. your personal resource for any questions you may have from what to wear to lobbying tips!).
Additionally, you will have access to your student portal with a whole preparation course which will give you a sneak peek into what floor sessions, committee meetings, etc. are like. In this course, there are also several hours worth of required reading, listening, and viewing–these will greatly amplify your Leadership Congress experience!
Leadership Congress is for anyone who wants to grow as a leader in every area of culture and be pushed outside their comfort zone! One of the great things about a PA Leadership Congress is the environment causes students to quickly build friendships and develop a “team” mentality. Just like in the real legislature, students end up finding their niche in a variety of roles. Some students love debating at the microphone; others enjoy working on the process. Since the students run their own committee meetings and floor sessions, how you choose to get involved is up to you.
We do ask, though, that you come willing to think, learn, and grow. Some of our most hesitant students have found themselves so inspired by the experience that they couldn’t help but get involved and wound up becoming some of our strongest leaders.
Patriot Academy’s Leadership Congress is co-hosted by Colorado Christian University as the “Western Conservative Summit Youth Conference.” This Leadership Congress will offer students ages 16-20 the unique opportunity to be exposed to the nation’s most-pressing issues and learn how to impact the culture in support of Faith, Family, and Freedom. Spend three days doing an in-depth study into conservative thought, Christian worldview, statesmanship, and the legislative process with Patriot Academy before putting that knowledge into action at the Western Conservative Summit, one of the largest annual gatherings of conservatives in the West.
Spend two full days at the Western Conservative Summit, hearing from national conservative leaders, activists, and thinkers. Network with conservative organizations and learn how to become more involved in your community.
Applicants must demonstrate a desire to fulfill this mission and a basic desire to learn more about how such a mission would be accomplished and what role they might have in this effort.
Applicants must also demonstrate a strong work ethic and a willingness to earn their way through study, fundraising, and servant leadership.
Every Patriot Academy Leadership Congress has extremely limited availability, so you should apply early to increase the likelihood of acceptance.
Applications may be received until session space is full.
*To qualify for discounted rates, please note the “tuition submission postmark” deadlines. Your spot is not guaranteed until all registration requirements and complete payment is received.
Spend an extraordinary week at Colorado Christian University and the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center with like-minded young Christian Conservatives. Tuition includes housing, activities, all meals, and a Summit Pass to the Western Conservative Summit.
The Torch of Freedom Foundation
PO Box 586
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Monday - Friday
8 AM - 5 PM Central
