Welcome to

American Youth Leadership Institute

Hundreds of Utah families are discovering the excitement and inspiration of membership in an American Youth Leadership Institute chapter. We believe that when children and youth are inspired by great advisors, surrounded by a supportive peer group and introduced to a host of meaningful readings and colloquia, quality activities, challenging simulations, public speaking experiences and service opportunities, they will be inspired to further engage in their own education and feel a powerful connection to their community and nation. AYLI is a Utah-based, non-profit organization, designed to support the Thomas Jefferson Education model, as described in A Thomas Jefferson Education, Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-First Century by Oliver DeMille. AYLI clubs are working hand-in-hand with families to prepare the next generation of leaders and statesmen.

Advisor Trainings

Advisor Trainings teach, inspire and inform current and potential AYLI advisors interested in improving the effectiveness of their chapter or starting a new chapter. It is also open to other individuals, in and out of state, who are seeking mentorship and ideas in order to form their own unique clubs, separate from AYLI.

In-person, seminar-style training is held each January and features breakout sessions for all four club types. Virtual Advisor Trainings are offered via monthly phone conference and are open to all who are interested, in or out of state.

Constitutional Convention Simulation

Held each spring, this five-day simulation is an incredible opportunity for all youth, ages 12-18, to apply knowledge and discover the arts of diplomacy, negotiation, persuasion and relationship in a setting that has all the trappings and challenges of a real convention, without the real-life consequences.

During the simulation, youth will address a fictitious scenario by taking on the roles of delegates from various geographic areas. They deliberate using parliamentary procedure, as they share ideas, documents and principles in order to create a constitution that will solve the constraints described in the fictitious scenario.

After each day’s deliberations, evenings are for fun and socializing! AYLI puts on some fabulous activities each evening, including a formal banquet, a family picnic, a game night, and our traditional “Improv Night.”

Focus on the Founders

This is an annual speech event, held to celebrate and highlight the lives of the American Founders. Each year, one Founder is selected to feature at the event.

Focus on the Founders is held every year on the first Saturday in December. It is open to the public and is composed of:

-A keynote address by a notable statesman
-25 two-minute speeches by members of various chapters of American -Youth Leadership Institute
-A visual presentation on the life of the featured Founder
-Reception

AYLI chapter advisors sponsor training for members in the art of public speaking and assist members as they prepare their speeches. Each chapter selects their best speakers to send to the annual event.

Knights of Freedom Summit

This annual two-day event, held each September, is open to all members of the Knights of Freedom Chapters.

The boys are given a fictitious scenario involving the need to protect their land from invaders. During these two days, the boys discover honor & character, duty & truth, to a new depth as they embark on a great quest.

They make weapons and train to use them in the form of a medieval tournament, increasing their understanding of when it is right to fight and when it is not, in order to be prepared to defend family and freedom. It includes a large, mock battle and victory feast.

Liberty Girls Summer Retreat

This event is held annually during the summer and is open to all members and potential members of Liberty Girls Club chapters.

The girls increase their enthusiasm for living with and developing virtues and values as they meet adult versions of the American Girls they read about. They get to see and hear how virtues have helped shape each of the American Girl’s lives and how they too can grow to be great American women.

With a variety of activities and projects these messages are reinforced as they move through the day. The event is wrapped up with a family dinner and recognition ceremony for each of the participating Liberty Girls.