Oregon Public Broadcasting

Business and government officials took the first step in a new partnership aimed at giving more voice to teenagers. Rob Manning reports.

All this week, local leaders including Portland Mayor Sam Adams and Metro President David Bragdon, as well as top administrators with businesses like Bank of America, are meeting with students at Mount Hood Community College.

Mark Jackson, with the non-profit, REAP, says the week-long "challenge camp" intends to make the initial connection.

Mark Jackson: “This camp is designed to provide a pro-active approach to students to be more engaged academically, but also more engaged in terms of leadership.”

The teens at the camp are expected to continue to work with businesses, or local governments, on projects over the school year.

Mayor Adams credits youth with creating the new free transit pass for Portland high schoolers. But he says these new student-led projects will face a high bar, when they mature over the next few months. 

Adams says the teens may learn how frustrating it can be to craft policy.