CLeW Programs

A Community Leadership Workshop, or CLeW for short, is a one-day leadership program for high school freshmen designed to bring the HOBY experience to a larger group of student leaders in a local area. During a CLeW, students have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, interact with community leaders, participate in group activities, get involved with local community service projects, and come away inspired to make a difference in their schools and in the community. The generous support of donors and the dedication of volunteer fundraisers allow us to keep all HOBY CLeWs complete free of charge for the students who attend.

Since the early 1990s, CLeWs have taken place across the state of California. They’ve been planned and executed by a wide range of people, from business and community leaders, to community organizations like Women’s Clubs, to alumni of the HOBY program who were looking for a way to share their experiences with their local communities. If you’re interested in putting on a CLeW in your area, or simply want more information about what that would take, please contact our CLeW Director, Garrett Minnie, at clew@hobyca.org.

We hope to bring you a CLeW season in late 2021 or early 2022!

Kern County CLeW 2014

On March 1st, 2014, over 50 high school freshmen gathered from across Kern County to participate in the third Kern County CLeW at Centennial High School in Bakersfield. Throughout the day, they were exposed to new ideas from community leaders, encouraged by their peers, and challenged by their HOBY experience to return home and engage both their schools and their communities through service. We’d like to thank the CLeW Co-Chairs Abby Wheeler and Garrett Minnie for their hard work and dedication which made the CLeW possible. We’d also like to thank all the facilitators and operations staff for helping put the workshop together.

Here’s a rundown of the day’s activities:
  • 8:30am – Registration and Introductions
  • 9:45am – Opening Ceremonies
  • 10:20am – Color Activity
  • 11:15am – Panel on Leadership
  • 12:30pm – Lunch
  • 1:15pm – Values Activity
  • 2:15pm – Leadership 4 Service: Bakersfield Homeless Shelter
  • Blankets
  • Toiletry Bags
  • 3:45pm – Keynote Speaker: Denaryle Williams
  • 4:30pm – Closing Ceremonies
  • 5:00pm – Students Depart
Schools represented at the Kern CLeW:
  • Bakersfield High
  • Centennial High
  • Desert Jr/Sr High
  • East Bakersfield High
  • Independence High
  • Liberty High
  • McFarland High
  • Ridgeview High
  • South High
  • Wasco High