USAG Rheinland-Pfalz’s Youth Center takes the helm: Youth, advisor tapped for BGCA’s National Keystone Conference

BAUMHOLDER, Germany - A U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Youth Program participant and advisor have been selected to join the Boys and Girls Club Association's 2025 annual National Keystone Conference Steering Committee, a high honor reserved for the top talent from Legacy and Gold Clubs nationwide.

Keandre Anderson and advisor Mercedes Leidheiser were selected to represent the Baumholder Youth Program at this year's committee conference. According to Ryan Flynn, Baumholder Youth Programs director, Child and Youth Services (CYS), USAG Rheinland-Pfalz, they caught the attention of the Boys and Girls Club Association (BGCA) national staff, standing out from the pool of top candidates due to their exceptional leadership and dedication to youth programming.

"As part of the Baumholder Youth Program, which has been a Legacy-level BGCA Keystone club for 8 years, they have demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence," Flynn said. "Their individual involvement in the National Keystone Conference has also been impressive, with Keandre serving on the media team and Mercedes participating in the Military Teen Ambassador program."

Keystone Clubs provide leadership development opportunities for young people ages 14 to 18. Youth participate in activities in three focus areas: academic success, career preparation and community service. With the guidance of adult advisors, Keystone Clubs aim to have a positive impact on members, the Club and the community.

The 2025 Annual National Keystone Conference takes place in Chicago, Illinois, from July 17-20, and is expected to draw over 1,000 teens and their advisors. However, the journey begins with the Steering Committee Planning Meeting, a core component of the conference that sets the stage for a teen-led, adult-supported experience.

Anderson and Leidheiser will attend the planning meeting at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, from Dec. 5-8.

"In Atlanta, Keandre and Mercedes will join forces with BGCA National Keystone staff and 9 other steering committee members to kick off a 7-month journey to create a 3-day leadership conference for thousands of youths and advisors," said Flynn. "They'll be responsible for building the conference from scratch, from themes to events to a group trip. I'm excited to see what they create!"

According to Flynn, the mission of the 2025 Annual Keystone Conference, which Anderson, Leidheiser and 10 of their peers will shape, is to deliver a world-class leadership experience to thousands of Keystone youth and advisors from traditional and military clubs worldwide.

At the conference in Chicago, attendees will gain insights into the trends shaping their lives and discover new ways to become change agents for positive impact.

Flynn noted that participating in the 2025 National Keystone Conference Steering Committee is a significant boost for the Baumholder Youth Program, providing a lasting impact enabling future endeavors.

"Participating will benefit the Baumholder Youth Program by strengthening our partnership with BGCA, a leader in youth development," he said. "This partnership provides our youth and staff with access to high-quality experiences, such as the National Keystone Conference, and potentially lead to new opportunities like grants and high-level program participation.

"By showcasing our dedication to youth development, we demonstrate to the community that our programs are of high quality and provide opportunities for our young people to reach their full potential," Flynn said.

U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz serves, supports, and secures the total force community enabling power projection for the European Theater.

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