Program Health & Safety
Leadership Initiatives
Leadership Initiatives is committed to ensuring health, safety, and well-being at all of our world-class summer Youth Development Programs. After leading the industry with our virtual programs in the summers of 2020, 2021, and 2022 Leadership Initiatives is continuing to adapt and reimagine the 2023 Programs to meet and surpass new health guidelines and considerations for COVID-19. As the situation continues to rapidly change, Leadership Initiatives is closely monitoring the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), local officials, and our university partners at Georgetown to evolve our programs and prioritize community and student safety.
Our Approach
In our decision-making about our 2023 in person programs, Leadership Initiatives is guided by three principles: the safety of all students, faculty, staff and their families; an ongoing commitment to offering an unsurpassed high school internship program; and an equal commitment to advancing our students to help them reach their full potential in college and career.
Dealing with COVID-19 presents all of us with enormous challenges—not just as an education program, but also as a people and as a society. Now more than ever, Leadership Initiatives seeks to deliver on its critical commitments to training the next generation of global leaders.
We have asked our faculty, staff, and participants to adopt all the safety measures in place to reduce transmission risks and keep our community safe. At Georgetown University we have taken additional precautions to protect our students. This includes appropriate screening and social distancing, availability of personal protective equipment, increased cleaning and disinfection as well as restricted access for visitors.
Leadership Initiatives will provide a pre-program COVID-19 health and safety webinar to ensure students and parents understand the facts of the disease, precautions before and during the programs, and student expectations. Leadership Initiatives will also provide updates and information through email leading up to the programs.
Pre-Program Guidance
With a 5:1 student to staff ratio, Leadership Initiatives' comprehensive staff training will ensure your student is in safe hands before and during the program. Our staff includes teachers, educators, and professors, and all staff members undergo strict health monitoring and a mandatory two-week quarantine before the programs.
Staff Training
With the resources of Georgetown University and MedStar Health, students will undergo an initial virtual telemedicine screening and regular health monitoring on campus including daily temperature and symptom checks. Facilities and housing will be cleaned and sanitized regularly.
On-Campus Health Precautions
Students and staff are required to follow policies and protocols designed to protect everyone’s health. All participants and staff will be required to wear a face mask, wash hands, and adhere to the social distancing guidelines while on campus. Any individual that does not follow given safety practices risks termination from the program.
Masks, Social Distance, and Hygiene
Frequently Asked Questions
Leadership Initiatives is confident in the work of our health professionals and the reassuring success of the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations. In working with Georgetown University, the efficient and widespread administration of the COVID-19 vaccine by early summer of 2021 would allow for Leadership Initiatives to safely host in-person programs in Washington, DC. Leadership Initiatives will also host virtual programs for students who are at a higher risk, unable to travel, or otherwise concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the summer of 2020, Leadership Initiatives developed industry-leading virtual programs to replace our normal Youth Development Programs at Georgetown University. The unprecedented success of these virtual Youth Development Programs has allowed Leadership Initiatives to expand our legacy of world-class educational and career-building experiences in the midst of a pandemic, while still maintaining the same rigor and quality you expect.
All program participants who attend an on-campus program will share a room with only one student. Leadership Initiatives and Georgetown University will clean and sanitize all rooms and facilities regularly, and our 5:1 student to staff ratio ensures student safety throughout the program.
Leadership Initiatives is committed to adhering to all state, local, and university guidelines during in-person programming. Students will be able to explore Washington, DC in small groups to accommodate social distancing guidelines and the capacity limits of embassies, national landmarks, medical laboratories, and other world-renowned site visits. While in DC, students will travel using Leadership Initiatives owned and operated vehicles and with staff using Uber, whose safety policies you can review here.
Students from around the country attend our summer Youth Development Programs, and each airline has their own specific guidelines to ensure the safety of their customers. Many airlines are implementing enhanced sanitation, reduced airplane capacity, face-covering requirements, and other changes to ensure safety. We recommend students and parents review the guidelines of the respective airline and work with Leadership Initiatives after booking to ensure safe and successful travel.
To avoid large gatherings at restaurants and cafeterias, Leadership Initiatives will have menus from seven local restaurants that students will order from daily. These meals will be delivered directly to students to enjoy in an outdoor pavilion. Students can select from Georgetown Gourmet, Subway, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Falafel Inc, Johnny Rockets, District Pizza, and Chipotle to ensure every student’s needs are met.
Emergency Contact
During all programs, the Leadership Initiatives office will be staffed 24/7 to answer any questions, concerns, or respond to any emergencies. Please call:
Georgetown University is also conveniently located next to MedStar Health, the leading hospital and clinic in the DC area in case of any health concerns or emergencies. For MedStar Health, please call:
Leadership Initiatives Main Office
(202) 738-1115
MedStar Health Georgetown University Hospital
(202) 444-2000