GLI Primary

AN INSPIRING BEGINNING FOR EMBARKING ON A LIFETIME OF LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The GLI Summer Institute for students entering grades four and five emphasizes how leadership relies on building relationships. Participants will identify strengths in themselves and in others and create a community based on respect, empathy, and teamwork. They will build communication skills and practice strategies for conflict resolution. Together, girls will learn to set goals, face challenges with courage and develop greater resilience.

INNOVATION & PERSPECTIVES

The culminating activity for the GLI Primary challenges OWLS to put on their STEM design and engineering hats while creating a challenging, theme-driven mini-golf course for their friends to play. The groups must agree on a creative vision, while incorporating hills, tunnels and various mini-obstacles into their innovative, detailed and super fun games. Past themes have included the water cycle, under the sea, beach, book-inspired, and other passions the OWLs (Outstanding Wise Leaders) have. In learning about different perspectives and appreciating differences, OWLs make lemonade and come up with a backstory for each lemon as they learn about how although some people may look the same at first glance, we are all very different, and those differences are what make us each special and unique.

COLLABORATION & CONFIDENCE

A day at GLI is filled with exciting opportunities for the OWLs to explore leadership opportunities and to develop self-confidence. GLI is also a time to build relationships and have fun with new friends. What does it mean to be fearless or to communicate with confidence? What are some ways to appreciate differences, resolve conflicts and make decisions using our values? These are just some of the questions explored at Primary School GLI as the OWLs fill their toolboxes with leadership skills. Each day closes with scrap-booking as a way to review the day’s lessons and activities and internalize them more.

Dive Deeper into GLI Primary

Top 5 Things to Know About GLI Primary

Sample Schedule

A day at GLI is filled with exciting opportunities for the OWLs (Outstanding Wise Leaders) to explore leadership opportunities and to develop self-confidence. GLI is also a time to build relationships and have fun with new friends.

9:00-9:30 a.m. - Counselor Group Game
9:30-10:30 a.m. - Fearless Girl Activity and Craft
10:30-10:45 a.m. - Snack/Break
10:45-11:55 a.m. - Small-Group Rotation: Appreciating Diversity
12:00-1:00 p.m. - Lunch, Recess, and Challenge Playground
1:00-1:45 p.m. - Using your BEST Communication
1:45-2:15 p.m. - Trust Activity
2:15-2:45 p.m. - Scrapbook
2:45-3:00 p.m. - Closing Routine (Reflection, Appreciation & Looking Forward)

Partnerships

Hear From GLI Primary Parents

Read Facilitator Reflections

MARIE HAYS
It is so rewarding to see the personal growth of each OWL over the course of just one week. Each day they incorporate the lessons learned on communication, cooperation and teamwork into our games and activities, and their smiles, laughter and new found friendships flourish before our eyes!

SUE TRACY
What I enjoy most about facilitating GLI is witnessing the growth and development of the primary school participants in the areas of leadership, communication, conflict resolution and teamwork. It's amazing to see how much they get out of a one week program.

PROGRAM OPTION

PS Summer Institute: Leadership in Daily Life
Open to rising fourth- and fifth-grade students
June 23–27, 2025
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
$965

Limited financial aid scholarships are available.

Learn more about our registration details and policies.

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