Bridge Builders Summer Leadership Conference

Begin your Bridge Builders journey with the Summer Leadership Conference—a transformative, week-long retreat led by BRIDGES staff. Join a diverse group of Memphis youth to build lifelong friendships and gain valuable life skills through engaging activities and meaningful conversations. The Summer Conference sets you up for an impactful Bridge Builders experience!

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Application Information

Students can apply online or via paper application, which takes about 10-15 minutes to complete.

Application Updates

Applications are reviewed monthly, and notifications are sent via email within a month of submission.

Important Dates

Application Opens: November 8, 2024
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
Final Enrollment Deadline: May 17, 2025

Mailing Address for Paper Application

Attn: Recruitment Team
477 North Fifth St.
Memphis, TN 38105

For assistance with the program fee, please contact Arielle Brown at abrown@bridgesusa.org or 901.260.3703.

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I am a Bridge Builder. I am a leader who can embrace individual, social, economic and cultural differences to work for the benefit of all.

The Bridge Builders Pledge

Important:

Selected students must attend orientation with their parents/guardians and pay the program fee by the enrollment deadline to secure their placement. Program space is limited. Students are encouraged to apply and enroll early.

Summer Conference Dates and Locations

There are two locations for the summer leadership conference. Students will be assigned their session when they are fully enrolled in the program and will be notified by email.

Rising 7th-8th graders will be at the Jim Boyd BRIDGES Center, located downtown at 477 N 5th St. Drop off is at 8am and pick up at 4pm every day. Parents, please join us at the induction ceremony to celebrate your students and hear about their week at 3pm on Friday at BRIDGES.

7th-8th grades (Jim Boyd BRIDGES Center 8am-4pm)

Session A: June 16th - June 20th
Session B: June 23rd - June 27th
Session C: July 7th - 11th
Session D: July 14th - 18th

9-10th grade (Jim Boyd BRIDGES Center 8am-4pm)

Session A: June 16th - June 20th
Session B: June 23rd - June 27th
Session C: July 7th - July 11th
Session D: July 14th - 18th

Rising 11th and 12th graders will be at the University of Memphis Campus. Students will be dropped off on Monday and picked up after the Induction Ceremony on Friday at 12:00 pm. Parents, please join us at the ceremony to celebrate your students and hear about their week.

11th & 12th grade (University of Memphis- Residential)

Session A: June 16th - June 20th
Session B: June 23rd - June 27th
Session C: July 7th - July 11th
Session D: July 14th - 18th

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Program Rates

BRIDGES is committed to keeping costs as low as possible for students. With support of community donors, BRIDGES is able to offer reduced program rates on a sliding scale.

Annual Program Fee includes entire cost for summer conference and activities throughout the following school year.

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Every student counts.

Young people are born with creativity and passion to lead. BRIDGES has worked with thousands of students to unlock that potential and activate new generations of leaders across Memphis.

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*Data from 2022-2023