Camping, like many Y programs, is about learning skills, developing character and making friends. Often we don’t think of teens when camp crosses our mind. But there’s a place for teens too! This summer, teens are enrolled in Leaders in Training (LIT) camp learning valuable responsibilities in leadership.
“In LIT, we’re training our next counselors; our next role models for the campers,” explains Camp Coordinator Raekwan Perry. “They’re mainly giving back because they were campers here and they saw how the counselors gave back to the campers and they want to lead as well.”
Michael McLaughlin is one of those campers-turned-counselors at YMCA Camp Cristina, where he’s been spending his summers since first grade. “It’s just such a great place for kids and teens to come and be nice to each other in a friendly environment,” testifies Michael. “There’s so much you can do to help people here. It really brings joy to my heart to see these kids have fun and me, as a counselor, providing a safe, fun area for them to do that.”
LIT provides campers with rigorous team-building activities, service projects and staff shadowing which introduces them to the skills necessary to be a leader in the real world while forging life-long relationships. “They learn life skills. They learn leadership skills. They learn core values that they can take with them, not only in life, but also in that counselor role,” explains Raekwan. “It’s a real fun, engaging program that gets teens outside, during the summer, and staying out of trouble at home. They’re doing something positive for their community and for the younger campers.”
Michael says he gained a new sense of compassion for others while having fun zip lining, paintballing and shooting archery. “I would volunteer in a heartbeat if I had to,” shares Michael. “I’d work for free any summer. It’s just that kind of place where you can come knowing you’re going to have friends and fun.”
There’s still a few weeks left to get your kids engaged in physical, social and educational camp activities.
Click here to learn about Y camps offered to all ages this summer.
Pictured above: Camp Coordinator Raekwan Perry (left) helped train Michael McLaughlin (right) to be a camp counselor at YMCA Camp Cristina.
