Overview
The Summit helps young men to develop the values, skills, and attitudes necessary to be effective in college, and later on as fathers, professionals and citizens. Its activities put a particular emphasis on developing a strong character, forming true friendships and learning the value of hard work.
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Young men from grades 8 to 12 are encouraged to begin considering their high school and college years from the viewpoint of their entire life. To develop now the skills and attitudes they will need for the great tasks awaiting them:
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forming a family,
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serving society through their work,
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developing friendships with colleagues, neighbors, and God.
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Through a combination of classes, career presentations, and one-on-one mentoring, Denali programs help them to become men of character who are ready for responsibility.
Goals to be Achieved
The Summit helps these young men to achieve a number of practical goals by the end of high school. These achievements are valuable as preparation for college and career. Even more importantly, they are opportunities to develop their character.
These goals include:
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Awareness of Career Interests
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Admission to most suitable college
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Ease of speaking in front of groups
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Familiarity with important philosophical ideas
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Academic Excellence
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Well Balanced Extracurriculars
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Productive Use of Summer Months
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True Friendships
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Habit of Extracurricular Reading
Character Traits
The Summit helps students to acquire a number of character traits (virtues) that will enable them to accomplish worthwhile goals throughout their lives. Through mentoring, talks dedicated to specific virtues, and the example of good professional men, students come to understand these traits and identify them (or their absence) in themselves and others.
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Self-knowledge
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Responsibility (justice)
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Integrity
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Good judgment (prudence)
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Service
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Perseverance in commitments
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Sincerity (truthfulness)
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Self-discipline (self-control)
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Toughness (courage)
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Loyalty
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Self-confidence
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Magnanimity (good ambition)
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Leadership
Accomplishments
By the time a student completes The Summit, he will have:
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Grown in self-knowledge and understanding his talents and weaknesses.
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Interacted with numerous professional men who are known for their competence and integrity
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Had experience of monthly one-on-one mentoring sessions
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Written a personal resume based on achievements from his high school years
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Prepared for, engaged in, and been evaluated on a mock interview
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Participated in numerous skill development activities requiring public speaking
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Experienced a college-level seminar
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Become familiar with the major virtues found in men of character
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Received a book list to guide his extracurricular reading