HOBY (Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership) Conference

[PrincessKsMom]

Does anyone have any experience with this organization? DD's guidance counselor gave out paperwork referencing attending this conference in June. The kids need to write a very brief essay. Can't find much info on the website. DD had previously been invited to NYSP and it was a disaster. Simply a money making scheme. I don't want to fall for the same nonsense twice.

Thanks.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Does anyone have any experience with this organization? DD's guidance counselor gave out paperwork this referencing attending this conference in June. The kids need to write a very brief essay. Can't find much info on the website. DD had previously been invited to NYSP and it was a disaster. Simply a money making scheme. I don't want to fall for the same nonsense twice.

Thanks.

I was a HOBY Ambassador in 1999 (wow, I feel old!) and went back in 2000 to be a Jr Counselor. I was also invited back this year to be a Counselor...obviously, I loved the experience.

As far as I remember there is no cost to the student - it's fully sponsored (except travel I believe). I am with the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter so the conference was held in Houston so I just had to drive down the street to a local university. The event is a weekend long (Thurs-Sun) - the staff is all volunteers, local leaders, etc. The kids are broken up into teams and that's who they spend their days with - the team is led by a "leader" and a jr staff. There are panels every day, team building events, and of course lots of discussion/thinking sessions. And there's lots of cheers - lots and lots of HOBY cheers (I still remember lots of them...haha)

Back then the big thing with HOBY was Volunteering - I believe they still follow that and I know the Gulf Coast Chapter even has a "service day" during the seminar where they take the kids out to work on a volunteer project.

I was super shy in HS and this was just an amazing experience for me. I had so much fun and made some wonderful friends. At the end of the event, a handful of students are nominated to attend the National Conference. The kids are also invited to stay involved with HOBY - they have smaller seminars during the year and those that attended can volunteer, work as staff, etc.

That same year all HOBY alums were invited to Presidential Classroom in Washington, DC for a week and I also attended that - I met my best friend there...and yes, we are still friends! So in a way, HOBY opened some doors for me too. It def looked good on college applications!

I recommend it - I only have good things to say about it. Hope this helps - if you have any questions, let me know.

 

[RitaE]

It's been around for a very long time. My Husband went back in the 1980's. My MOM went in the 60's - I have a book she received there in my bookcase.

 

[Tazicket]

I was a HOBY ambassador in 1999 as well. It was a really great experience and very similar to the PP above (except we were in FL).

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Thank you all! Sounds like it might actually be worthwhile to check into it. Think I'll call DD's guidance counseller this morning and see what further info she can supply. When I looked online it mentioned three different seminars, one of which was $1650. Not doing that again. Spent about $2k on NYSP and it was not the experience I had been hoping for.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Thank you all! Sounds like it might actually be worthwhile to check into it. Think I'll call DD's guidance counseller this morning and see what further info she can supply. When I looked online it mentioned three different seminars, one of which was $1650. Not doing that again. Spent about $2k on NYSP and it was not the experience I had been hoping for.

That would be the World Leadership Congress - your DD would have to first attend a regular seminar before she becomes eligible to attend the Congress.

I hope she gets to go - it really is a lot of fun!

 

[sbsteel]

I participated back in 94 (or was it 95?) and it was a great experience (minius the cheering, lol). I highly recommend it if your daughter has the chance to attend. It's a reputable organization.

It shouldn't cost you anything, minus travel expenses to and from. I remember traveling with another student and my parents drove us there and his parents drove us back.

 

[ZuZugal]

DD and DS both attended the June HOBY seminar (one this year and one last year).

It was a great experience for both of them. Unless the school sponsors the student, you pay on your own. It was $150 for 3 days and 2 nights, and we picked up the cost.

The student will get out of it what they put into it basically. And they can continue on with the volunteer work and go back as a counselor, etc. It does look good on a college resume as well.

Most states have their own chapter, so travel is usually not an issue. We had to drive 2 1/2 hours.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I participated back in 94 (or was it 95?) and it was a great experience (minius the cheering, lol). I highly recommend it if your daughter has the chance to attend. It's a reputable organization.

It shouldn't cost you anything, minus travel expenses to and from. I remember traveling with another student and my parents drove us there and his parents drove us back.

Oh come on, you know you still remember those awesome cheers!!! HOBY is what? DYNAMITE! HOBY is what? DYNAMITE! HOBY is TICK TICK TICK TICK BOOM DYNAMITE! Ok, I'll stop now

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I was a HOBY ambassador in 1993 (aggh so long ago!). I had a blast and met so many great people.

I remember a local business sponsored me so everything was paid for.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

That would be the World Leadership Congress - your DD would have to first attend a regular seminar before she becomes eligible to attend the Congress.

I hope she gets to go - it really is a lot of fun!

Thank you for clearing that up. I wasn't able to reach DD's counseller yet so this answers one of my questions.

Even if it was $150, I would be more than willing to pay that expense. And it will be at a college in New Jersey which isn't too far from our home, maybe 45 minutes or so. Of course DD still has to write the essay (75-100 words). I think that limitation alone will make it harder since we tend to ramble. If she gets chosen I think this would be a great experience for her. Thanks everyone and if you have any other stories/experiences/cheers you'd like to share, feel free!

 

[sbsteel]

Oh come on, you know you still remember those awesome cheers!!! HOBY is what? DYNAMITE! HOBY is what? DYNAMITE! HOBY is TICK TICK TICK TICK BOOM DYNAMITE! Ok, I'll stop now

I am impressed (and slightly scared...)

Seriously, I hated group cheers at HOBY and other youth leadership conferences and still hate them as corporate team building exercises now as an adult. If I wanted to cheer, I would've been a cheerleader, lol

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I am impressed (and slightly scared...)

Seriously, I hated group cheers at HOBY and other youth leadership conferences and still hate them as corporate team building exercises now as an adult. If I wanted to cheer, I would've been a cheerleader, lol

HAHAHA sorry to frighten you

I don't think you could pay me to do that again now that I'm an "adult" and I'm surprised I even got into it when I was younger but meh, it was fun. I still remember three or four cheers ... when they had HOBY week in Washington, DC with Presidential Classroom, the group burst out with the Hugh cheer on the floor of the House --- yep, we got in huge trouble. Give me an H.......

 

[lvloopingbag]

My son will be attending the conference in June in NJ too! I was the rep for my school back in 1983.......

 

[PrincessKsMom]

My son will be attending the conference in June in NJ too! I was the rep for my school back in 1983.......

Hope he has a fantastic time!

 

[lizardfizzard]

I went to HOBY this year(2012)! I went to the Ohio-West seminar and the World Leadership Congress Seminar in Chicago. They were both OUTSTANDING and worth every penny. Asides from meeting some of my best friends, gaining loads of support in everything I do, and doing another thing that will look good on my resume, I learned oodles of leadership and communication skills that I will use for the rest of my life. I created an account on this website just to say that. XD