Discovering the Leader Within
Summer camp gives children a place to step outside their comfort zones, meet new people, take on responsibilities, and discover abilities they may not have known they had. Sometimes that growth is easy to see. Other times, it happens subtly throughout the summer.
At the Saratoga Springs YMCA's Camp TOGA, a group of rising seventh through ninth graders are getting the opportunity to take that growth one step further through the Leaders-in-Training (LIT) program. The program introduces LITs to what it means to be a leader, both at camp and beyond. They work with younger campers, assist with activities, learn how to communicate with different age groups, and build confidence in taking initiative.
When asked what they can do now that they couldn’t before becoming an LIT, their answers reflected some of the skills they have developed throughout the summer.
“Something I can do now that I couldn’t do before becoming an LIT is help others a lot more,” Riley shared. “I also used to be really shy about asking for help, but now I’m really confident in asking for help.”
Mary talked about becoming better at connecting and communicating with both younger children and people her own age. Others spoke about helping guide younger campers, including Amaris who said the experience has allowed her to “help little kids grow into the best version of themselves.”
For kids who are still years away from their first job or traditional leadership roles, these experiences are helping them learn that leadership can take many forms. It can mean communicating with others, taking on new responsibilities, knowing when to ask for help, or having the confidence to step forward when something needs to be done.
Learning Through Practice
Every Thursday, the LITs have an opportunity to put those skills into practice outside the Saratoga Springs Branch, where they run a lemonade stand benefiting the YMCA Annual Campaign. They make the lemonade, create and hang signs throughout the branch, invite members to stop by, explain what they’re raising money for, and handle each transaction themselves.
In just five weeks, the LITs raised $1,214 for the YMCA Annual Campaign. Along the way, they have practiced approaching new people, working together toward a shared goal, and taking responsibility for something that supports their YMCA community.
Building Confidence Leads to Personal Growth and Achievement
But children don’t have to be part of a leadership program to experience growth at our YMCA camps. For some campers, it can begin with simply becoming more comfortable in a new environment.
At Camp Foothills at the Glens Falls Branch, one young camper, William, started the summer feeling nervous about coming to camp. It took some time for him to settle in and connect with the other campers, but as the weeks went on, his counselor began to notice a change. William started making more friends, participating in activities, and feeling more comfortable being himself.
For a child who began the summer unsure of a new environment, that growing sense of confidence is an important accomplishment and one example of the many ways children can grow during their time at camp.
For some campers, that might mean introducing themselves to someone new or speaking up more often. For others, it could mean asking for help when they need it, taking responsibility for a task, or helping another camper. As they experience these moments throughout summer, they have opportunities to become more confident, independent, and comfortable working with others.
The changes look different for every child, but each experience gives them something they can carry with them beyond camp.
At the Y, we’re not only giving kids a safe, fun place to enjoy summer. We’re giving them a place to learn, grow, and build skills for what comes next.
That’s The Building Their Futures Place. And there’s No Place Like This Place!