# Kiwanis Key Leader

Kiwanis International's weekend service-leadership retreat for graduating 8th graders and high schoolers, held at camps and conference centers across US districts; many students attend on a club sponsorship.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Kiwanis International |
| Category | leadership |
| Cost | Not listed |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 8–12 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | Multiple, Multiple States |
| Apply | https://www.key-leader.org/register/ |

## About this program

# Kiwanis Key Leader

Key Leader is Kiwanis International's weekend leadership experience for secondary students, run district by district at camps and retreat centers across the United States. Kiwanis describes it as "a weekend leadership program" that "flows through large- and small-group sessions, time for personal reflection, interactive activities, 'challenge course' activities," organized around five core principles of service leadership. More than 34,000 students have attended since the program launched in 2005.

## What You'll Do

- Spend a full weekend at a district Key Leader site with a trained facilitator and student leadership team
- Work through large-group sessions and small "family" groups on personal integrity, growth, respect, building community, and pursuit of excellence
- Take part in challenge-course and team activities that put the sessions into practice
- Build a personal service-leadership plan to carry back to your school and community
- Connect with Key Club, Builders Club, and Kiwanis volunteers in your district

## Who Should Apply

Key Leader is open to "high school and graduating 8th Grade students." Students register directly for an event in their district rather than being nominated by a school. Cost is all-inclusive and set locally; Kiwanis notes that many students attend at no cost to them because clubs, members, or local businesses sponsor registration.

## Outcomes

Participants leave with a written service-leadership plan, practical facilitation and teamwork experience, and a direct on-ramp into Kiwanis-family student organizations and district leadership roles.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is eligible for Kiwanis Key Leader?

Kiwanis Key Leader is open to students in grades 8–12 (middle and high school). Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Kiwanis Key Leader online or in person?

Kiwanis Key Leader is an in-person program based in Multiple, Multiple States.

### How do I apply to Kiwanis Key Leader?

Apply directly through Kiwanis International's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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