About Us

Central PA HOBY and the Central Pennsylvania Leadership Seminar were created in 1978 after Hugh O’Brian contacted the Pennsylvania Jaycees — a service organization introducing young adults to community service and leadership opportunities – and asked them to sponsor a seminar in this state region.

Since then, the Central Pennsylvania Leadership Seminar has grown to consistently serve more than 250 sophomores each year from public and private high schools throughout Central Pennsylvania. Students from the following counties are invited to participate each year:

Adams, Bedford, Bradford, Carbon, Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, Wyoming, York

HOBY offers Community Leadership Workshops for first-year students and alum programming for juniors and seniors, including national programs like the World Leadership Congress and the Advanced Leadership Academy, as well as local service opportunities in communities across the region. It is a valuable lifelong leadership learning experience that is entirely volunteer-based, with the Corporate Board and Seminar planning committee consisting of dedicated individuals who are HOBY alumni, community leaders, and past seminar speakers. The staff also includes many HOBY alums who continue to develop their leadership skills and give back to the next generation of emerging leaders. These alumni Ambassadors volunteer their time as committee members, staff, speakers, and facilitators.

Central PA HOBY is affiliated with Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership, recognized as the nation’s top youth leadership development organization for over 50 years. Founded by Hugh O’Brian in 1958, HOBY’s mission is to provide lifelong opportunities that empower individuals to achieve their full potential and become positive catalysts for change in their homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. With over 475,000 alums leading the way, HOBY is a highly respected organization worldwide for its youth leadership programs.