Cornerstone Leadership Camp Grows Leaders Through Service
Growth is challenging. It feels uncomfortable, requires commitment, and it risks failure. This hits teens - or kids transitioning into teens - especially hard as there are so many areas to grow: life skills, character, and career interests, to name a few.
We see this challenge within our campers, especially as they transition from elementary school kids into full-fledged teenagers. This is why we have developed the Cornerstone Leadership Camp for those finishing 7th and 8th grade. Cornerstone Leadership Camp (CLC) is a continuation of our day camp program, which allows pre-teens and teens to enjoy typical camp activities. We also create conditions for them to start intentionally making the shift from camper to leader by encouraging them to take on safe responsibilities that support the camp and community.
CLCs are given the opportunity to develop lifelong skills in leadership through acts of service, as modeled by Jesus. Each day starts with a service project intended to benefit the camp, campers, staff, and community. Acts of service might include any of the following:
Assist in little kid Bible time, such as participating in skits or games
Aid Pool Manager Melanie with swim lessons
Care for our sustainability garden and pick the garden’s produce for donation to local food banks
Prep and set up for all-camp events like the All American Games
Help with projects around the camp like cleaning up the prayer garden or clearing trails in the woods
Walk late-arriving campers to their group around camp
Whatever the service is, encouraging teens to give their time and abilities helps them understand how even small acts can have a big impact on others.
We also hope that by the end of each week, our CLCs learn a little more about what it means to have a work ethic. We expect CLCs to arrive to camp at the expected time, to embrace the acts of service are assigned to them, and to model a good attitude to the younger campers. Out of this experience, we hope our teens gain a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem, and that they learn about the joy that comes from serving others.
It might seem like a leap, to take a camper and ask them to understand the power of servant leadership. But through this program, we have seen CLCs grow in their desire to be a part of something bigger. We are teaching them that by having a heart for serving others, they can lead others into doing their best as well.
At the same time, CLCs are campers, growing into their role as teen leaders. Once their acts of service are completed, they enjoy the same camp activities as the rest of the campers, including swim time, all-camp activities, and an age-appropriate Bible lesson in the afternoon.
Growth is challenging. It can feel uncomfortable and risky. But we are proud to help CSF teens begin the transition into an adult world with leadership through service, as modeled by Jesus. If you have additional questions about the CLC program, contact us to let us know.