Tipp City Chamber of Commerce
Youth Resources
Internship Opportunities
The Tipp City Chamber of Commerce is committed to strengthening the future workforce of Tipp City, Ohio, by helping students gain real-world experience before they graduate.
Internships create meaningful connections between local businesses and students who are preparing to enter the workforce, pursue higher education, or explore career paths. By supporting internship opportunities, the Chamber helps bridge the gap between education and industry throughout Tipp City, Bethel Township, and Miami County.
Why Internships Matter
Internships give students hands-on exposure to professional environments. They help young adults:
- Develop communication and leadership skills
- Understand workplace expectations
- Explore industries and career interests
- Build confidence and responsibility
- Create professional connections early
For businesses, internships create opportunities to mentor future talent, introduce students to local career paths, and invest in long-term workforce development.
Strong local businesses depend on strong local talent. By encouraging internships, the Chamber supports sustainable economic growth in Tipp City, Ohio.
Connecting Students and Employers
The Chamber serves as a connector between local employers and high school students interested in career exploration. Businesses interested in offering internships can work with the Chamber to promote opportunities and engage with students in meaningful ways.
Students who participate in internships gain clarity about their goals and develop practical skills that set them apart.
Teen Leadership Academy
The Teen Leadership Academy is one of the Chamber’s most impactful youth initiatives. This immersive leadership development program connects businesses, schools, government, and nonprofit organizations with rising high school seniors in Tipp City and Bethel Township.
The inaugural class began in 2018, right here in the Tipp City and Bethel Local School Districts. Since then, the program has continued to create transformational experiences for students preparing to enter their senior year of high school.
Who Can Apply
The Teen Leadership Academy is open to:
- Juniors entering their senior year of high school
- Students in the high school class of 2027
- Students who reside within the Tipp City or Bethel Local School Districts
Any student meeting those parameters is welcome to apply.
The program is selective. Only 10 applicants will be chosen for the 2026 program to ensure an in-depth and meaningful experience.
Application Deadline: Monday, April 20, 2026, until midnight
Acceptance Notification: By May 11, 2026
Cost: $50 per applicant, due at the time of application
Requirements: Essay questions and two letters of recommendation
Program Dates & Structure
The 2026 Teen Leadership Academy will take place:
- Monday, June 1 through Friday, June 5, 2026
- Approximately 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day
- A closing recognition will take place on Friday around lunch.
This is a full-week immersion into the Tipp City, Bethel Township, and Miami County communities. Each day includes travel to different sites throughout the Tipp City and Troy area. Most days require personal transportation by the student or parent. On select days, a van will be provided.
What Students Experience
The Teen Leadership Academy offers hands-on, interactive learning. Past experiences have included:
- Extensive team building and leadership development exercises
- Philanthropic immersion with the Tipp City Foundation and United Way of Miami County
- Participation in Project T.I.P.P. (Teens Impacting & Promoting Philanthropy)
- Poverty simulation exercises
- Hands-on community service projects
- A mock City Council meeting
- Roundtable discussions with the Tipp City Mayor, City President, and City Manager
- Tours of city buildings and departments
- Bethel Township sessions with the Township Administrator and Trustee
- Inside looks at the Miami County healthcare system, including Upper Valley Medical Center
- Exclusive tours of manufacturing, engineering, and technology facilities in Tipp City
- Job shadowing in each student’s specific area of interest
- Miami County Courthouse tour, trial observation, and live court proceedings
- An Amazing Race-style scavenger hunt testing community knowledge
Experiences may vary based on business availability or public health considerations, but the program consistently provides deep exposure to local leadership and industry.
This immersive week helps students understand how businesses, government, healthcare, nonprofits, and manufacturing all work together to support the Tipp City economy.
Why Teen Leadership Academy Matters
The Teen Leadership Academy creates informed, confident young leaders who understand their community and see opportunity within it. Students leave the program with:
- Greater awareness of local career paths
- Stronger leadership skills
- Increased civic understanding
- Professional connections
- A deeper sense of community pride
Programs like this strengthen the long-term future of Tipp City, Ohio, by helping students see that they can build meaningful careers close to home.
Supporting the Next Generation of Leaders
The Tipp City Chamber of Commerce believes economic growth and leadership development go hand in hand. Youth programming is not a side initiative. It is a strategic investment in the future of our community. By connecting students with businesses, government leaders, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare institutions, we help young adults understand how their community operates and where they can contribute.
Building a Stronger Workforce
When students are exposed to local employers, they begin to see career opportunities they may not have previously considered. Manufacturing, healthcare, finance, engineering, local government, and nonprofit leadership are all part of the ecosystem that keeps Tipp City thriving. Early exposure builds long-term engagement.
Encouraging Civic Responsibility
Through interactions with city leaders, township officials, and community foundations, students gain insight into public service and civic responsibility. Understanding how decisions are made fosters stronger, more informed citizens.
Creating Long-Term Impact
Investing in students today ensures a stronger business community tomorrow. The Chamber’s youth initiatives create a pipeline of motivated, informed, and capable individuals who are prepared to lead in Tipp City, Bethel Township, and throughout Miami County. The future of Tipp City depends on collaboration across generations. The Chamber is proud to help facilitate that connection.
Teen Leadership Academy Sponsors
The Teen Leadership Academy is made possible through the support of generous sponsors.
Sponsors:
We are grateful to the local businesses and organizations that invest in developing the next generation of leaders in Tipp City, Ohio.