At the Kite Leadership Program, we invite teens within the eligible age range to apply for this transformative experience. The following criteria are designed to ensure a safe, engaging, and meaningful program for all participants. While our goal is inclusivity, it’s essential to identify the foundational requirements for participation.
The Kite Leadership Program is not a therapeutic or behavioral program and cannot accommodate participants seeking outcomes related to mental health treatment or behavior modification. Applications are carefully reviewed to align with these criteria, and additional documentation or information may be requested during the screening process to confirm eligibility. Failure to disclose relevant medical or personal history may result in application denial, additional fees, or removal from the program.
By adhering to these criteria, the Kite Leadership Program aims to provide a supportive and enriching experience for every participant. If you have any questions or concerns about the criteria, please contact our team for clarification.
At the Kite Global Leadership Program, we are dedicated to promoting the well-being and rights of children and vulnerable individuals, ensuring they are not harmed, exploited, or abused during their participation in our programs. This Safeguarding Policy is designed for use across all Kite programs, and all staff—both permanent and seasonal—are required to familiarize themselves with its contents.
Our team members are trained as mandated reporters, equipped to escalate any sensitive issues that may impact a participant’s safety to the leadership team. Each case is handled with care, and local agencies are involved when necessary.
This policy aligns with seven key standards adapted from global child protection best practices to safeguard children and vulnerable adults. These standards outline the expectations and actions needed to create a safe environment and are regularly evaluated to ensure effectiveness.
Kite is committed to fostering a culture of safety and reducing risks through measures such as:
The dignity, rights, and physical integrity of adolescents must always be respected, protected, and nurtured. Everyone involved in the program has a responsibility to uphold the basic rights of children, as defined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
This policy ensures that all program participants, both staff and students, adhere to guidelines that prevent abuse and avoid behaviors that could be misinterpreted as inappropriate.
Kite maintains that the safety and well-being of adolescents and vulnerable individuals are paramount. If abuse is suspected or known, staff must act immediately by reporting to an appropriate supervisor, following legal and organizational procedures. Decisions about next steps are managed by designated supervisors.
Proper training in safeguarding is essential to ensure that all staff, whether permanent or seasonal, are well-prepared to address child protection issues. All personnel will receive necessary training, including sessions on harassment and supervision policies. Experts in safeguarding will be engaged to lead this training.
Kite ensures that all stakeholders, including staff, students, and external agencies, are aware of this Safeguarding Policy. Effective communication methods—such as briefings, emails, newsletters, and formal training—are used to ensure accessibility and understanding of the policy.
We recognize the challenges of addressing child abuse and the importance of accessible support systems. Seasonal staff will ensure that students know where to seek help or report concerns, as outlined in the program manual. Reporting structures are in place to provide students and staff with the support they need, either anonymously or in person.
Kite is committed to continuous improvement of its Safeguarding Policy. Annual reviews and data collection will assess the policy’s effectiveness. Post-program evaluations will help identify any issues that arise and inform updates to policies and practices.
To ensure transparency and engagement, the following methods will be used to communicate and evaluate the policy:
While participating in the KITE Global Leadership Program, participants are expected to act respectfully, uphold the mission and values of the program, and prioritize personal and group safety. Below are the guidelines all participants are required to follow:
As young adults, Gap Year participants are expected to adhere to a higher standard of independence and accountability while recognizing that their actions have consequences. The following expectations apply specifically to this group:
By participating in the KITE Global Leadership Program, all participants agree to uphold the above Code of Conduct. Violation of these guidelines may result in immediate removal at the sole discretion of Program Staff.
At the Kite Leadership Program, we believe inspiring the next generation of leaders begins with fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, heard, and respected.
For our participants, team members, and the communities we collaborate with, representation means ensuring diverse perspectives are included and celebrated. Equity involves providing fair opportunities and support tailored to individual needs, while building community is about cultivating spaces where all voices are welcomed and appreciated.
The Kite Leadership Program invites youth from around the world to join our initiatives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nationality, or any other defining characteristic.
As a program committed to shaping globally-minded leaders, we understand the power of meaningful connections across cultures. True leadership grows from empathy, open dialogue, and the ability to embrace differences while fostering mutual understanding and trust.
Respect is a core value that guides all our interactions—whether between participants, mentors, or the communities we serve. It means honoring diverse viewpoints, appreciating unique experiences, and working together to build a future that is inclusive, compassionate, and united.
This commitment is central to the Kite Leadership Program’s mission, and we pledge to continue empowering young leaders to create a more interconnected and respectful community.
The Kite Leadership Program prioritizes the safety and comfort of all participants by offering inclusive and supportive lodging arrangements during our programs.
Participants will primarily stay at designated Kite Program lodging locations. Depending on the country, this can be more than one location.
Room assignments are made based on the gender identity participants share with us during the enrollment process.
For participants whose gender identity does not align with traditional categories, we are committed to having conversations to understand their preferences and ensure a rooming arrangement that feels most comfortable for them, this could mean a private room which will be an additional fee.
We encourage participants and families to communicate specific lodging needs or preferences so we can create the best possible experience for everyone.
Program staff maintain the discretion to modify room assignments as needed to address logistical needs, room layouts, or group dynamics. While we strive to meet individual lodging preferences, certain constraints associated with international travel or group housing may limit our ability to fulfill every request.
Participants are expected to remain in their designated rooms and may only enter other rooms with explicit approval from program staff.
We understand that plans may change, and we want to provide clear and fair guidelines for cancellations and refunds across all Kite Leadership programs. Below are the refund policies and deadlines for our 2025 program dates.
For programs with dates other than those listed above, please refer to the relevant cancellation timeline based on their start dates. Please contact our team at service@kiteleadershipprogram.com for further details.
If a program is canceled, postponed, or altered due to unforeseen events such as natural disasters, epidemics, pandemics, government action, or other uncontrollable circumstances, Kite Leadership Program will aim to transfer students to another available program. If no alternative program is available, families will receive credit for a future program, which may be transferred to a sibling or friend. In some instances, partial refunds may be issued depending on the scale of the situation. We recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment.
Once enrolled, no refunds will be issued if a student leaves the program early for personal reasons, behavioral issues, or health concerns. If a student leaves the program early, their removal is final, and no refund will be issued.
Students are expected to treat all facilities and program materials with care. Participants will be held responsible for reimbursing Kite Leadership Program for any damage, loss, or destruction caused by their actions.
Note: Exceptions to this refund policy cannot be made. Travel insurance is highly recommended to safeguard your investment.