Who can apply for OELC’s leadership courses?

Our participants are students from across Ontario.  Each leadership course is suited to different grades (between Grade 7 and Grade 11).  Our leadership course descriptions give you the criteria for each course. 

For all programs, students must be endorsed by their school (a teacher or principal). This school endorsement helps us ensure that participants have demonstrated leadership potential in their particular area (whether that be athletics, the arts, student council, etc.) and are committed to furthering leadership initiatives in their school.

How do we apply for the leadership courses?

You can apply through our on-line application process, by mail (you can download forms from this website), or contact us for help with this process.

How do we get the school’s endorsement so that we can apply?

Take the consent form to your teacher or principal and they can sign in the appropriate spot.   If they need further information about our courses, please ask them to contact us and we’ll be happy to explain the criteria for endorsement.

Are there buses for all the leadership courses?

Where do I meet the bus and how do we pay for the bus?

The Ontario Educational Leadership Centre offers a chartered bus service from Toronto to OELC for the following courses:

·          All Secondary courses (Secondary Athletics, Secondary Music, Student Council leadership)

• ·          Leadership in Diversity Elementary

This bus departs from the Yorkdale Shopping Centre (Pole 8 Area of the Parking Lot) at 12:00 noon sharp on arrival day.  The bus returns to the same location at approximately 11:00 a.m. on departure day.  (Students will be dropped off at this location.  It is the responsibility of the family to make arrangements for their care from that point.)

Bus Fare:  $60 (incl. GST) for a return trip, $30 one way.  We prefer to this payment ahead of time as this will ensure your spot on the bus since spaces are limited. We will, however, accept payment in cash at the bus as long as we have been notified ahead of time that you will be taking the bus. 

If driving westbound to Yorkdale, exit from the 401 at the Allen Expressway to Yorkdale in front of The Bay and look for the OELC bus at Pole 8, in the northwest corner of the parking lot. Eastbound – exit from the 401 at Dufferin St., then take Yorkdale Drive and in front of The Bay look for the OELC bus at Pole 8, in the northwest corner of the parking lot.

What do we need to bring with us?

What time do we drop off on arrival day?

What time do we pick up on departure day?

How are the OELC uniforms used?

The Athletic leadership courses require students to wear their uniforms for the whole program (thus the larger fee as they get a full uniform - four t-shirts, hat, sweatshirt, sweatpants).

The other leadership courses give out OELC t-shirts that are worn periodically for special guests/activities, banquet, photo, etc.

More OELC garments and merchandise is available for purchase at our tuck shop (ranging in price from $5 - $40).

What is your policy on students from the same school being in the same cabin?

What is your policy about cell phones and phoning home?

Cell phones are not allowed at the OELC courses as it is felt that this will detract from the experience and may promote, rather than deter, the possibilities of homesickness.  We will use our professional judgement (all staff are teachers) in any individual circumstance where a phone call home is deemed appropriate.

At the Elementary courses, our staff feel that the use of pay phones interferes with valuable program time - there are only two pay phones and there is the potential of long line-ups since free time is limited.

Secondary courses at OELC make the pay phone available at certain times of the day but we'd like to encourage family members to keep in mind that, with a very busy schedule, it may be helpful to suggest to the student that they don't need to call home.  We know that sometimes this is harder on the parents than on the student :)!

How do we contact the centre if there is an emergency after hours?

Our regular office hours are 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.  After hours, if it is an emergency, you can call our phone number (705-689-5572).  In most cases, the phone will be answered but if not, leave a message as we check these regularly.

If an immediate emergency after hours you can call 705- 323-3511.

Do the students need to bring extra money with them?

OELC opens its tuck shop for students once each day to provide optional snacks, drinks, OELC clothing/specialty items.  The prices range from $2 to $50 and we are only equipped to accept cash or cheques. As a not-for-profit organization all of our proceeds go directly back into our programs. Tuck will not be open on arrival day.

Each leadership course has its own staff made up of a Course Manager, coordinators, teacher facilitators and, for the elementary courses, counsellors.  Our teachers are chosen as experts in their field from across the province.  If interested, please send an email to ask for an application form.

Counsellors are mostly chosen after they have attended one of the Secondary leadership courses.  They are chosen because of their commitment to others, excellent interpersonal skills, understanding of leadership development and ability to be compassionate and positive role models for younger people. 

We are a not-for-profit organization and all of our program fees are used to offset the costs incurred with providing teaching staff, nursing care, meals, safe and accessible grounds, accommodations, resources, etc.  We have a volunteer board of directors who oversee the operations and ensure that all monies either go directly back to our programs or to helping other, less-represented students attend.

How can we help students attend who may not be in a situation to afford this opportunity?

It is the goal of OELC to have full representation of ALL of our diverse student populations from across the province.  We currently do our best to provide bursaries for students who may otherwise not be able to attend but our plan is continued expansion of this fund.  We are a not-for-profit, registered charitable organization so, if you would like to support our bursary program, we’re happy to give you a tax-deductible receipt.  Please contact us if you would like to discuss a memorial (plaque, bench, tree) for someone who was an inspiring leader in your life.  Our donations page gives more information.