In 1957, Jim Graver of Pennsylvania, USA struck with an idea of involving youth in the Lions Movement. Other Lions agreed to his proposal. The first Leo Club was thus born with 35 members. On December 5, 1957, the Glenside Lions presented a Charter to the Abington High School Leo Club. The group created the Leo Acronym – Leadership, Experience, and Opportunity. They chose maroon and gold – their school colours -to serve as the Leo clubs colours.

The second Leo Club was formed in 1963 and by then number rose to 27. In October 1967, the Board of Directors of Lions Clubs International adopted the Leo Club Program as an official program of the Association. Open to males and females, the objective of the Leo Club Program is to “provide the youth of the world an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of the local, national and international community”. Today the Leo Program is stronger than ever. Community Service remains the cornerstone of the program. Like their Lion counterparts, Leo club members enjoy serving their neighbors and watching positive results unfold.

Leo Clubs have to be sponsored by a Lions Club. They can however, elect their own officers, schedule their own meetings and decide on their fundraising and service projects.

The International scope of Leo clubs allows members to experience and enjoy meeting others from different culture through activities such as club twinning, youth exchange and International Youth Camps. And the social aspect of the clubs provides young people with the opportunity to meet others who share common interests, values, and goals.