October 1st

Camps with Meaning Continues Legacy of Leadership Development

Camps with Meaning holds a legacy of leadership development for young people stretching back three quarters of a century—and this legacy continues today through vital initiatives like the Teen Volunteer (TV) program.

“Not unlike the rest of our staff programs, the Teen Volunteer program gives young teens a chance to take responsibility and to learn what they are capable of in ways that are often new to them,” says Nadya Langelotz, Associate Program Director for Camps with Meaning. “The more nuanced part of this is that they are not alone in the work, so the responsibility becomes less overwhelming among friends, both new and old.”

Thirteen teens from seven Mennonite Church Manitoba congregations (Altona Mennonite, Whitewater, Grace Steinbach, Fort Garry, Sargent, Home Street, and Charleswood) and three non-MCM congregations took part in the TV program this past summer. All Teen Volunteers participate in the staff training week to begin the summer, and then they serve during at least one of the day-camp weeks that are offered in the summer at Camp Assiniboia—a two to three week commitment in total.

Nate Hastings-Fuhr (Home Street) was the TV Director for the summer. “During staff training week, the TVs learned valuable skills in how to care for and counsel young children,” he says. “After their training, they had the opportunity to put those skills into practice while working with day campers. This included getting up early to ride the bus with campers, leading recreational games, leading activity groups, and supporting campers throughout their days at camp.”

The TV program is only one in a set of leadership programs that can build on each other with increasing levels of responsibility. The TV program is for young people who have completed grade 9. Those who have completed grade 10 or 11 can participate in the Servant Leaders-in-Training (SLT) program. High school graduates can serve as cabin leaders or activity leaders. Those who are at least one year out of high school and who have experience in these programs can step into a summer leadership position.

“Watching the Teen Volunteers throughout their weeks of work was incredibly rewarding,” says Nate (having his hair done in the photo right). “I got to see each of them come out of their shells, grow in confidence, and discover that they truly are amazing leaders.”

We thank God for a wonderful summer of camps! See here for information about this summer’s camping program, and here for a video report from summer leadership staff. If you or someone you know would be interested in serving as summer staff at camp next year, contact Nadya at programdirector@mennochurch.mb.ca for more info. If you’d like to give financially to support our Camps with Meaning ministry, see www.mennochurch.mb.ca/giving.