The Kansas Youth Leadership Academy of Fort Hays State University has been awarded a 12-month recognition grant of $19,000 from the Kansas Health Foundation to help expand its youth programs.

KYLA is a statewide program designed to promote youth leadership development. The grant will be used to expand seminar locations and help with summer camps.

"We are looking forward to using this grant to further expand our seminar locations in four new locations," said Cathie Klein, KYLA director. "We are looking to expand to Kansas City, Emporia, Liberal and Pittsburg."

The grant will also help with middle school and high school camps. These camps provide students with the opportunities to develop new friendships, share ideas and experiences and develop a deeper understanding of the many facets of leadership.

The 2008 middle school camp is scheduled for June 4-6, and the high school camp for June 17-20. The middle school camp is three days and two nights, while the high school campers spend three nights and four days on the FHSU campus.