The Smart Step Youth Association was informally founded in Summer 2009 (formally founded in 2010) to catalyze social change t ... hrough youth inspiration, motivation, and engagement. To do so, Smart Step supplied a sustainable peer-mentoring environment for youth (ages 12-19) to educate each other through civic engagement and experiential learning. The 100+ students who have participated in the Smart Step programs have developed life-long skills through facilitated workshops, guest speakers, volunteer experiences, and social entrepreneurship. Each summer the association oversees leadership programming for over 50 of Merritt's youth, above and beyond our 12 member youth leadership/instructor team. The Smart Step programs pride themselves on running operating by youth-power, led by 19 and 20 year-olds who have a passion to give back to their community. read more