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 7-12.

Who: This program has limited spaces for campers who are 17 or who have already completed their junior year of high school. 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: All Rising Leaders will attend two weeks of camp during Jones Session (Sunday, June 21- Saturday, July 4). Some additional online learning will be required before the summer.

How: Interested campers should sign up through CampInTouch with their parents’ help, just as they would for a regular camper session. (Do not register as a staff member applicant). After signing up, application materials will become available. Find details of the application timeline in the next tab.

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

Application Guidelines

Application Guidelines:

Application materials will become available after someone is signed up through CampInTouch (as a camper, not staff) and will include a few brief questions and 2 reference forms. You should sign up as a camper on CampInTouch as soon as possible after November 1st so that you have access to the application materials.
There will be 2 separate rounds when applications will be reviewed, to allow for campers with different schedules to apply earlier or later. If any spaces remain after the second deadline, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. There is a chance all spaces will be filled by the first deadline, so we suggest you apply as early as possible. Contact Anna with questions.
- December applicants:
  - Materials due by Wednesday, December 4th.
  - Interviews will take place over video chat the week of December 9th.
- February applicants:
  - Materials due by Wednesday, February 5^th.
  - Interviews will take place over video chat the week of February 10th.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

If I am a Rising Leader, will I be “on staff”? 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 have regular access to technology, 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 on the Friends Camps staff one day!

How will Rising Leaders spend their days? RLs will spend some time with the group of RLs and the RL coordinator, 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 building community and developing skills working with youth, a chance to run programs for youth (with the support of counselors), some free time as a group of RLs, and opportunities to learn counselor basics such as leading “jobs” and giving messages at Meeting for Worship. RLs will also have a few field trips especially for their group.

How will being a Rising Leader feel different than being a camper? 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 will find the challenging work of being a leader at camp rewarding and meaningful.

What will the application process include? We have limited space in this program, so unfortunately, it’s likely that we won’t be able to accept all Rising Leader applicants. The application will include the following steps. We know that parents will be a part of the application process, but we urge Rising Leader Applicants to “take the lead” (pun intended!) on their applications. You can always email Anna at director@friendscamp.org with any questions that come up.

Sign up through Camp-In-Touch with parent assistance.
The paper application will become available through Camp-In-Touch once you are registered. It will include a few questions as well as a creative project.
Two reference forms to be filled out by a teacher, coach, or other trusted (non-family) adult.
An interview with Anna over Zoom (a video-chatting platform).

Will I have access to my cell phone? Like other campers, RLs will not have access to their tech devices during their time at camp except for over a weekend field trip. Of course, if you need to be in touch with your folks we can help out!

If I attend camp as a Rising Leader, can I still attend Rustin or Fell Sessions? Yes! Any camper who is a rising leader during Jones Session will be able to attend the teenage Rustin or Fell Sessions in the traditional camper program.

Where will Rising Leaders live? RLs will live in cabins with counselors and youth ages 7-12. Being a positive and helpful presence is an important part of the program, but RLs will not be left alone with campers or be expected to lead a cabin group without counselors present. There will be a dedicated staff member who will act as the “shepherd” for the flock of Rising Leaders. This person will be available as a resource to you before and after the summer, as well as during the entire camp session.