LEAP Program

What is LEAP?

LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet) is a transformative education initiative that engages high school students nationwide, offering an empathetic alternative to conventional agricultural programs like 4H and FFA.
 
From September to May, students dedicate around 10 hours each month to work at sanctuaries like Odd Man Inn, where they tend to rescued animals, undertake infrastructure projects, and delve into issues such as veganism, environmental sustainability, and climate action. LEAP equips young individuals to confront and devise solutions for pressing challenges like animal cruelty, climate change, food scarcity, and habitat degradation, culminating in community projects that epitomize their learning and impact.

Odd Man Inn, as a participating sanctuary in the LEAP program, will host a select group of five students for the 2024-25 School Year. These students will benefit from a blend of interactive lessons and hands-on experiences, enriched with leadership training and skill development.

2024-25 Workshop Dates

All LEAP Workshops are held on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Central Time.


Attendance is required for:

  • Program Completion Certification
  • Scholarship Eligibility


Scheduled Dates:

  • Sep 7, 2024
  • Oct 5, 2024
  • Nov 2, 2024
  • Dec 7, 2024
  • Jan 4, 2025
  • Feb 1, 2025
  • Mar 29, 2025
  • Apr 26, 2025
  • May 3, 2025

Note: Dates are subject to change due to weather or unforeseen obligations. We will make every effort to maintain the schedule and notify of changes well in advance.

Optional Volunteer Shifts

These are the days that LEAP interns may gain supervised volunteer hours at OMI while still being minors/students. Volunteer Shifts last from 7:30AM to 11:30AM Central Time.

Scheduled Dates:

  • Sep 14, 2024
  • Oct 12, 2024
  • Nov 9, 2024
  • Dec 14, 2024
  • January 11, 2025
  • February 8, 2025
  • March 15, 2025 (start of spring break)
  • April 19, 2025 (Easter weekend)
  • May 10, 2025

Note: Volunteer hours may also be obtained in other ways and not necessarily on the OMI campus.

LEAP Educators

Angela Robbins

Teacher, Cumberland County High School

Wendy Smith

Executive Director, Odd Man Inn Animal Refuge

Daniel Singleton

Animal Care Manager, Odd Man Inn Animal Refuge