Vol Ready Academy

The Vol Ready Academy (VRA) is a week-long leadership development experience in the summer hosted by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Office of Flagship Communities within the Division of Access and Engagement. This program is designed for rising 8th and 9th-grade students and introduces them to the foundational principles of impactful leadership and collaboration.

Throughout the program, students will explore their personal strengths, cultivate a deeper understanding of leadership, plan for their future, and get exposed to future opportunities through interactive tours and hands-on learning. The Academy empowers students to recognize their leadership potential, build professional confidence, practice collaboration, and envision their futures as leaders in their schools and communities.

When: Dates: June 1 – June 6
Where: UTK Campus
Who: Knoxville Rising 9th and 8th Graders

For more information, please email us at Flagship Communities@utk.edu

Interested in joining the fun? Apply below!

Vol Ready Academy Application

Vol Ready Academy (VRA) is a collaborative initiative between the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Office of Flagship Communities in the Division of Access and Engagement, and its campus partners. Designed to introduce young Tennesseans to the Volunteer Creed, the Academy engages middle school students who have completed the 7th or 8th grade in learning the principles of becoming positive leaders. Participants take part in a variety of classes, field trips, and experiential learning opportunities, all aimed at helping them take the lead in shaping their futures. The commuter program will be June 1-6, 2026. To apply, please complete the application below.

Step 1 of 3

Program Participation Agreements

Student Conduct Agreement(Required)

1. Students are not allowed to drive personal vehicles; they must be dropped off and picked up. 2. All recreational activities must be done on campus in the company of at least one counselor. 3. Participants are required to keep up with their personal belongings. We do not encourage you to bring expensive jewelry and other items of significant value. 4. Tape/voice recorders, portable games, or other portable devices are not permitted in the classrooms. 5. No inappropriate behavior will be tolerated. This includes smoking, alcoholic beverages, foul language, lying, and acts of intimidation. 6. No student will be allowed to leave campus unless they are with program staff. Check the box below to confirm you have read the Conduct Agreement and understand the importance and safety of following these rules.

I have read the Conduct Agreement and understand the importance and safety of following these rules.

Authorization for Medical Treatment – Digital Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian(Required)

In the event of an accident or serious injury or illness, I hereby authorize The University of Tennessee and its trustees, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers in official and individual capacities (“Releasees”) to obtain medical treatment for the applicant. I further agree to accept full responsibility for any and all expenses, including but not limited to medical expenses, that result from, arising out of, or are related to any injuries to the applicant that may occur during their participation in the program, Applicant’s travel to or from the program, or applicant’s presence on premises owned, leased, or operated by Releasees, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INJURIES SUSTAINED AS A RESULT OF THE NEGLIGENCE OF RELEASEES. As the applicant’s parent or legal guardian, I understand and acknowledge that my failure to disclose relevant information may result in harm to the applicant and/or others during this program. By signing below, I represent and warrant that I have provided all material information to The University of Tennessee pertaining to the medical condition(s) identified above and that it is accurate and complete. I agree to notify The University of Tennessee in writing of any changes in the medical condition of the applicant prior to the start of the program. I understand that my disclosure of the medical information above will not be used by The University of Tennessee to determine the applicant’s ability to participate safely in the program. I understand that, if the applicant participates in the program, they do so voluntarily and of their own accord and the final decision regarding participation is solely the responsibility of applicant, me, and/or their physician(s). Type your full name below to authorize:

Today's Date(Required)

Digital Signature of Applicant(Required)

Photographic Image Release – Digital Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian(Required)

During the course of the Vol Ready Academy, we would like your permission to take photographs of your child as they take part in various academy activities/events. The photographs help us to document our students’ experiences. As your child’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) we need your permission to record their picture. By clicking the box below, you give The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the right to take photos of your child as they participate in the Summer Institute and acknowledge the following. I grant the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, its representatives, and employees the right to take photographs of my child in connection with the 2026 Vol Ready Academy. I authorize the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and its lawful representatives to copyright, use, and publish the same in print and/or electronically. I agree that the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, may use such photographs of my child with or without their name and for any lawful purpose, including for example such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and web content. Parent or Legal Guardian, type your name below to consent.

Today's Date(Required)

Research Participation Agreement – Digital Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian(Required)

During the course of the 2026 Vol Ready Academy, we would like your permission to have the applicant participate in research related to key aspects of the academy. In some classes and group discussions, the applicant may be asked to complete online questionnaires and keep a journal related to the following: academy curriculum and programming topics, their future goals, outlook for college, trade, or technical schools, and feedback about the summer academy (what their experience was like and how it can be improved. The short questionnaires will help us gather baseline information about the applicant on related topics. The journals will help us document the students’ experiences as well as obtain their feedback about important aspects of the Vol Ready Academy. As the applicant’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) we need your permission to administer questionnaires to the applicant and authorization for the applicant to keep a journal as a part of VRA. The applicant will not be required to place his or her name on any document used for research purposes but will be issued a number to protect their confidentiality. By signing below, I grant the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, its representatives and employees, the right to administer related questionnaires to the applicant and review the journal kept by the applicant as a part of the 2026 Vol Ready Academy. I authorize the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and its lawful representatives to publish the results of data collected from questionnaires and journals in the final academy evaluation report and scholarly articles about the academy. Parent or Legal Guardian, type your name below to agree.

Today's Date(Required)

Transportation Release Agreement – Digital Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian(Required)

As the parent/legal guardian of the applicant, I authorize and request The University of Tennessee, Knoxville to provide transportation for my student on field trips and programmatic outings that may take place during the Vol Ready Academy, June 2026. In exchange for The University of Tennessee’s agreement to provide transportation for my student, I agree to release The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and its officers, employees, and agents from any claims, including claims concerning illness or injury that might occur during these trips. Parent or Legal Guardian, type your name below to agree.

Today's Date(Required)

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The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Office of Flagship Communities
Access and Engagement

Vol Ready Academy Application

Parent/Guardian Information

Applicant Medical Information

Program Participation Agreements