DEADLINE: May 1^st, 2026

Who is YWLC designed for?

High school girls who are:

Entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in the Fall
Dedicated to community service
Able to attend every day of their chosen summer conference
Committed to attending all online monthly meetings, building a community service project, and initiating meetings with a mentor

When is the program?

June/July 2026 – April 2027

What is the time commitment?

Starting with the 6-day summer conference and throughout the following school year, participants will engage in 80–120 extracurricular hours that may include community service hours (depending on the student’s chosen final project). See commitments listed below for a breakdown of hours.

YWLC Participants commit to the following:

1. YWLC Summer Conference, 8:30am – 4:30pm daily (48 hours total).
Select only one of the three conference options:

Houston Summer Conference Week 1, June 22–27

Location: Rice University

Houston Summer Conference Week 2, July 13–18

Location: Rice University

Austin Summer Conference, July 6–11

Location: St. Edward’s University

2. Monthly meetings from August – April (12 hours total)

Location: Online (Zoom)

3. 1:1 Mentoring (5–10 hours total)

Location: Online

4. Take Action Challenge (TAC) planning & building a community service project from A–Z for the duration of the program (20–50 hours depending on the scope of the project)

Location: This is dependent on the type of project and is up to the student to decide.

What does the YWLC Application entail?

Students will need to submit basic demographic information, extracurricular activities, 5 short essay questions, and a referral to a teacher or coach who can recommend their participation in YWLC.

We recognize that AI tools are a common and valuable part of how students learn, write, and explore ideas today. You are welcome to use AI to support your application for brainstorming, organizing thoughts, or refining clarity.

However, your application should reflect your own voice, experiences, and ideas. Applications that are written entirely by AI are easy to recognize and do not give us a meaningful sense of who you are. Our team carefully reads every word of every application, and we make this time commitment because getting to know you matters to us.

For this reason, we ask that you use AI as an enhancement tool, not a replacement for your thinking. We are far more interested in your original ideas, honest reflections, and personal perspective than in polished or “perfect” writing. Show us who you are — this application is an opportunity to share your unique voice.

YWLC Program Costs & Scholarship

The total YWLC program cost is $500 (includes the $25 application and $475 program fee).

Please note:

The $25 application fee is due at the time of submitting the application
The remaining $475 is due by the first day of the program.

To make payments online:

Click here: https://thepangeanetwork.org/donate-today/

Please email kate@thepangeanetwork.org if your last name is different from the student's last name to indicate who the payment is for.

To make a check payment:

Write a check or money order made out to "The Pangea Network" and mail to:

Young Women's Leadership Challenge Program
PO Box 9823
The Woodlands, TX 77387

Please make a note to let us know who the payment is for if your last name is different from the student's last name.

Scholarships:

Need-based scholarships are available and they cover the full program fee of $475. Scholarship recipients are still responsible for the $25 application fee which is due when the application is submitted. If you wish to apply for a scholarship, please say YES to filling out the financial aid form below.

Would you like to fill out the Financial Aid Form?*

If you apply before May 1^st, 2026, you’ll be contacted no later than May 15^th, 2026. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If you have any questions, please email kate@thepangeanetwork.org.

Select one of the following YWLC Conferences

Houston Summer Conference - Week 1

June 22-27, 8:30-4:30pm daily
Location: Rice University

Houston Summer Conference - Week 2

July 13-18, 8:30-4:30pm daily
Location: Rice University

Austin Summer Conference

July 6-11, 8:30-4:30pm daily
Location: St. Edward's University

Which city are you applying to?*

Student Name*

First Last

Age*

Please enter a number from 10 to 30.

Birthdate*

School*

*Current school you are attending

Grade Level*

*Current year in school

GPA*

*Current grade point average

Extracurricular Activities*

*Please list all extracurriculars

Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Student Phone*

Home Phone

Parent Phone*

Student Email*

Parent Email*

Parent or Guardian Name*

First Last

Emergency Contact Name*

First Last

Emergency Contact Phone*

Emergency Contact Email*

Please provide the contact information of a teacher you would like to use as a reference.

The listed reference will be contacted directly by The Pangea Network. Please ensure your reference is aware they will be contacted and willing and able to recommend your participation in YWLC.

Reference Name*

First Last

Reference Email*

Reference Phone Number

How did you hear about YWLC?*

If Other is selected, please describe.*

Financial Aid Form

The Pangea Network tries to offer financial aid to all eligible parties where finances may be an issue.

The Pangea Network does not want finances to be a barrier to entry for qualified and dedicated individuals.

We do not offer merit-based scholarships.

*Any information provided below will remain confidential.

Name of Parent*

First Last

Number of Members in Household*

Dependents in Household*

Total Family Income*

List any challenging circumstances that would support your request for financial aid .*

Do you receive financial aid for other instances (school food programs)?*

Please list

Is your family currently being assisted by any government services?*

If awarded the financial aid, how will you as a student ensure that you give back to the program and your community?*

Q&A Section

We recognize that AI tools are a common and valuable part of how students learn, write, and explore ideas today. You are welcome to use AI to support your application for brainstorming, organizing thoughts, or refining clarity.

However, your application should reflect your own voice, experiences, and ideas. Applications that are written entirely by AI are easy to recognize and do not give us a meaningful sense of who you are. Our team carefully reads every word of every application, and we make this time commitment because getting to know you matters to us.

For this reason, we ask that you use AI as an enhancement tool, not a replacement for your thinking. We are far more interested in your original ideas, honest reflections, and personal perspective than in polished or “perfect” writing. Show us who you are - this application is an opportunity to share your unique voice.

1. Tell us about your experiences related to community service or volunteering, or an educational after-school activity and write about how these experiences have inspired you to be the change you want to see in your local and global community.*