Leadership Development Programs
Takodah's Leadership Development Program is designed to give campers finishing the 10th and 11th grades a theoretical and practical foundation in leadership which will serve them in staff roles at camp or in their own pursuits. Daily leadership workshops, hands-on apprenticeships, trips, and great friendships are highlights of these complimentary programs!
Leader Corps
For youth completing grade 10
Leader Corps is the first leg of the program, a two-week session aimed at giving campers the essential skills for leading group activities. Campers will learn about topics such as time-fillers, on-the spot games, lesson planning, giving directions, and speaking to groups in a daily Leadership hour. On the practical end, they'll put their knowledge to the test in an apprenticeship with a Takodah staff member assisting with a skills class. Leader Corps campers will be encouraged to develop a special area of interest or proficiency, seeking to master a Takodah program at a high level of skill or complete a detailed project.
Campers in the Leader Corps program are revered in the camp community. It's the last year to enjoy some of our programs as campers, and to start making the transition toward greater responsibility.
Leaders-in-Training
For youth completing grade 11
The Leader-in-Training program is a four-week intensive training aimed at preparing young men and women for the heavy responsibilities of working with youth. As an LIT, participants spend their first two weeks learning about managing a cabin group, matching their Leadership Hour lessons with practical experience providing supervised overnight coverage in Takodah cabins. LITs learn about working with children of different ages and their various needs, the sequence of events that can lead to a cabin group becoming a team, and how to assist campers having behavior or adjustment difficulties. LITs train to become certified in American Red Cross CPR and First Aid, as well as YMCA Lifeguard Training. Finally, they serve a two-week apprenticeship as a co-leader to an experienced Camp Takodah staff member, getting a supervised opportunity to put their growing bag of tricks into action.
Countless Takodah alumni tell us that LIT was their best year of camp - a great culmination of the Takodah experience that led to incredible growth.
Campers interested in the Leadership Development Programs should contact the Cheshire YMCA for an application!
