Rising Leaders

Rising Leaders are Counselors-in-Training…
and so much more!

Basic program details:

Why

The goal of this program is to provide an enriching experience for some of our oldest campers who are interested in youth work, Quakerism, and leadership. The three main goals for Rising Leaders are:

  • To explore a deeper understanding of Quakerism and the way it shapes the Friends Camp community.

  • To gain knowledge of personal strengths and how to use these as leaders.

  • To plan and lead fun, creative, and safe programs for youth ages 7-13.

Who

This program has limited spaces for campers who are 16 or 17 and who have completed their junior year of high school. We prioritize campers who have just finished their junior year. All participants will have been Friends Campers in the past, and an application process will determine acceptance. We are looking for Rising Leaders who love Friends Camp, want to learn how to be a better leader, and who are ready to consider others’ needs as well as their own.

When

Rising Leaders will attend two weeks of camp either during Jones Session (Sunday, June 21 - Friday, July 3) OR, if there are enough qualified applicants, during Mott Session (Sunday, July 5 - Friday, July 17). Some additional online engagement will be required before the summer.

How

Interested campers should register for the Rising Leader program through our camper registration portal and upload a complete Rising Leader Application to CampBrain or send their completed application to office@friendscamp.org. The link to the application is located at the top of this page. The priority deadline for Rising Leader applications is December 7, 2025. The final deadline to apply is February 1, 2026.

RISING LEADER APPLICATION

Cost

This program will cost $350 per participant. You are encouraged to apply for campership funds through your camper portal if your family cannot afford this amount.

Application Guidelines:

  • To apply to be a Rising Leader in 2026, please register as a “camper” and select the Rising Leader session in Jones and/or Mott—if you are available for both, you should register for both, but you will only attend one. A parent/ guardian must help you do this step. Please keep in mind that we have limited space in this program, so registering online does NOT indicate that you have been accepted as a Rising Leader.

  • Each Rising Leader applicant is responsible for filling out an application and uploading it through our online portal or sending it to office@friendscamp.org. See the link to the application at the top of this page.

  • Once you upload your completed application to CampBrain you will be contacted by email to schedule an interview.

  • After the application and interview have been completed, we will let you know within three weeks if you have been accepted to the program. If all spaces are full, we will not allow any more online registrations.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • RLs will live in cabins with counselors and youth ages 7-13. Being a positive and helpful presence is an important part of the program, but RLs will not be left alone with campers for a significant length of time  or be expected to lead a cabin group without counselors present. There will be dedicated staff members who will act as the “shepherds” for the flock of Rising Leaders. The shepherds will be available as a resource to you before and after the summer, as well as during the camp session. You will meet your shepherds on Zoom before the summer begins.

  • Rising Leaders are campers, not staff members. Their purpose in being at camp is learning skills to run youth programs and be a better leader. Rising Leaders will not participate in time off with staff members or join in staff meeting. We hope that this program will help many Rising Leaders develop the skills needed to be a part of Friends Camp staff one day!

  • RLs will spend some time with the group of RLs and the RL shepherds, some time with the cabin group of counselors and youth they will live with, and some time with the entire camp community. Each day will include a morning program for RLs focused on building community and developing skills for working with youth, a chance to run electives and other programming (with the support of counselors), time to help with jobs, and some free time as a group of RLs. RLs will also have a field trip especially for their group.

  • Think of it like the difference between visiting a party and helping to host a party. This program will ask RLs to think about others’ needs as well as their own. Rising Leaders will be people who care deeply about Friends Camp and our mission and values. Thus, we hope they will find the challenging work of being a leader at camp rewarding and meaningful. 

  • Like other campers, RLs will not have access to tech devices during camp, except for over a weekend RL retreat. Of course, if you need to be in touch with your folks we can help out! 

  • Yes! Any camper who is a Rising Leader during Jones or Mott Sessions will be able to attend the teenage Rustin or Fell Sessions in the traditional camper program.

  • If we have enough interest and qualified applicants for summer 2026, we will expand the RL program to include a Mott session. On your application, you will indicate which of these sessions you are available for. Flexible availability may increase your chance of acceptance, but we encourage you to apply even if you are only available for one session. RLs will attend either Jones or Mott (nobody will spend four weeks as a Rising Leader). We’re excited to explore this possibility and give more people the opportunity to be Rising Leaders!