2026 Fuego Youth Leadership Program Overview

The Fuego Leadership Program is an industrial and fine arts youth leadership opportunity for high school students who are excited about deepening their technical industrial arts skills, learning leadership skills, and supporting in-class learning during The Crucible’s youth summer camps. 7-10 students will be selected to develop their skills within various department areas throughout youth summer camps including Bicycle Mechanics, ARC welding, TIG Welding, Glass Flameworking, Jewelry, Blacksmithing, Glass Fusing and Slumping, MIG Welding, Woodworking, Leatherworking, Ceramics and Glass Blowing (Please note: departments may vary depending on faculty availability and enrollment numbers). Additionally, chosen applicants will be assisting with Summer Camp logistics for half of their day, providing aid as floating assistants, snack-time facilitators, and check-in/check-out leaders. In order to apply, students must have completed their Fuego 2026 application packet that includes the online/physical application, filled out and completed recommendation form (online or physical), and at least 2 Crucible classes. For students who have not yet fulfilled 2 Crucible classes, multiple pre-requisite classes will be offered during the period of June 8th-June 26th and is not a deciding factor within the application process.

Key Responsibilities

Students chosen as Fuego Leaders will select multiple areas of department focus, and will commit to acting as a Summer Program Assistant and Guided Student from July 6th-July 31st. Youth leaders will actively participate in the organization and implementation of the youth summer camps, as well as in skill training components that will take place during the youth camps. Please note that students will be asked to fulfill prerequisite classes between the dates of June 8th-12th, June 15th-19th and/or June 22nd-26th, and must be available for these dates if accepted into the Fuego Leadership Program.

Youth Camp Responsibilities

During youth camps on July 6th-10th, July 13th-17th, July 20th-24th, and July 27th-August 1st, youth leaders will arrive at 8:45am each day and may be asked to support youth staff with a variety of tasks. Youth leaders will switch off throughout the day between morning (8:45am-12:15pm) and afternoon (12:45-4:15pm) shifts for their assigned department classes and summer assistant duties. Depending on their class schedule for the week, students’ lunch period will either range from 12-12:45pm or 12:15pm-1pm. Fuego Leaders are expected to provide general support in and outside of classes, such as reinforcing positive communication and behavior among campers, supporting health and safety rules, and upholding studio rules and class agreements.

Leadership Development Responsibilities

In order to prepare and support Fuego Leaders in leadership development and communication, the program incorporates the following components:

Applicant Interview

One scheduled twenty-minute interview with youth program staff in mid-late April 2026.

Pre-Program Orientation

A single 2.5 hour orientation taking place on a Sunday prior to the Fuego Leadership Program starting date (exact datesTBD) aimed at building connections amongst the Fuego Leader group and their advisors; learning key leadership skills in the areas of personal communication and conflict resolution; and reviewing The Crucible’s policies and practices in the areas of health, safety, and behavior.

Prerequisite Classes

Classes in the concentrated areas prior to the July 6th Fuego Leadership Program start date, during the summer session. These classes can be fulfilled during the first three designated weeks of summer camp, June 8th-12th, June 15th-19th and/or June 22nd-26th.

During Camp Mentoring

Staff will utilize a variety of informal methods to mentor Fuego Leaders throughout the day. In addition, there will be one formal session at the end of each week for Fuegos to check-in with advisors on their week’s successes, challenges, and questions.

Benefits

Fuego Leaders will receive at least two free of charge prerequisite classes at The Crucible in their area of focus. Youth who are accepted into the program will be provided a stipend of $1,500 for their participation (taxes applicable).

Application Criteria

Students who wish to apply for the Fuego Leadership Program must meet the following criteria:

• Be a sophomore, junior or senior in high school, and between the ages of 15 and 18.
• Have participated in youth classes or camps at The Crucible in two years prior to the start date of the program. (Note: If you have not met the requirement, you can use your prerequisite classes to fulfill your requirement). If you have never attended classes here at The Crucible we absolutely still encourage you to apply, and have had many past leaders with no prior experience enter and thrive in the Fuego Leadership Program.
• Able to make all of the required time commitments:

• • Applicant Interview in mid-late April (20-30 minutes, virtual or in-person)
  • Pre-Program Orientation
  • Pre-Requisite Classes from June 8th-12th, June 15th-19th and/or June 22nd-26th
  • Fuego Leadership Program from July 6th-August 1st

• Submit a completed application packet by the deadline of 12pm on Friday, April 17th, 2026.
• Must submit a work permit by the start date of the Fuego Program on July 6th, 2026. Fuego Leaders will not be paid their stipend without a completed and approved work permit.

Priority

The Crucible will prioritize Fuego Youth Leaders applications from youth who are able to commit to the above criteria. When choosing our final candidates, we will also consider the following criteria:

• Live in Geographic Area (in order of priority):

• • West Oakland
  • Oakland
  • Greater Bay Area

• Demonstrate Economic Need
• QTBIPOC Students
• Display Artistic Ability and/or Promise

Application Process

Applications for the Fuego Youth Leadership Program are available online and in the office starting March 17th. Applications are due no later than April 17th, 2026.

Selection Process

We will notify applicants chosen for interviews by Tuesday, April 21st. Once selected for an interview you must request a job permit from your school office and have it completed and submitted by July 6th, 2026. Interviews will take place between mid to late April and we plan to complete our selection process and notify applicants of our decisions by the end of April. In addition to the application criteria outlined above, we are looking for students who have demonstrated a sustained interest in our courses, solid interpersonal skills, and maturity in their ability to abide by health, safety and behavioral expectations.

For Further Information

Please contact Youth Program Manager, Samantha Espinoza, at sespinoza@thecrucible.org