Leadership Challenge
The Leadership Challenge is full; no more spaces available.
This two-week program is for 9th and 10th graders and the emphasis is on leadership, responsibility, and decision-making skills. This special group participates in leading camp activities, team building - and has lots of fun. The 2010 dates for this program are July 19-30, weekdays only.
The cost for this two-week program is $560, with a $110 deposit (applied against session fee). Please note that the EarlyBird Discount does not apply to the Leadership Challenge program.
Last year's Leadership Challenge group rebuilt the Whippoorwill Trail, which follows the ridgeline through camp. The photo at right shows the group at the trailhead to the Whippoorwill Trail.
Below is an essay by Lauren B., a 2009 Leadership Challenge Participant.
The Leadership Challenge Experience
By: Lauren B.
Leadership Challenge is a group of 14 to 15 year olds who have just "graduated" from Teepee Elders, the last and oldest form of a camper. Personally, I think we have learned an awful lot of leadership skills from this two-week program. With discussions and training from Chris and Jess, our Leadership counselors, we've basically covered the fundamentals and extreme importance of leadership. We've gone through pretty much everything a counselor needs to know. We learned things like setting goals for ourselves, trusting ourselves and the others around us, the importance of communication, teamwork, what makes up a leader, the different styles of leadership, and decision making skills. We even got to help out with regular camp activities and help lead the songs on our buses! It was very fun!
The peak of our experience was re-blazing the Whippoorwill Trail. We raked leaves off the trail, shoveled platforms, removed rusted wire and a snake, and made a hang out and rest station for the campers! That was a really inspiring experience, especially when we worked from scratch to remove poison ivy, line the perimeter with stones, and reconstructed pathways. It shows we have quite a bit to offer in the world. I don't think we will ever forget it.
At the very beginning of our first day, we, the 10 leaders in training, came up with a mission statement which represented who we are as a team, and who we want to be as a leader:
"We want to learn how to be a great and responsible leader, counselor, and role-model to better ourselves and our community. We also want to learn how to address and conquer our problems/ obstacles in a mature manor and mentor the children of our community"
- Leadership Challenge group