Leadership Program Parent Information

Now that your camper is submitting their application for Leader Corps or Leaders-in-Training, we want to prepare you with the information you need to support your child through the process.

Leader Corps / LC (currently enrolled in 10th grade)
Leaders-In-Training / LIT (currently enrolled 11th grade)

Application Deadline

Please urge your camper to have their application and all three reference forms submitted no later than October 15 at 5:00 PM EST. We cannot move forward with applicants who have incomplete applications or reference forms. Campers who miss the deadline almost never receive spots in the Leadership Program because of the limited capacities.

Competitive Application Process

Leader Corps and Leaders-in-Training positions require an application – and acceptance is competitive because of the limited capacities in each program.

While we take into consideration the written application and reference forms, the applicant’s behavior during their time at Takodah is the most heavily weighted factor in the selection process. Ultimately, we select the applicants who will best serve as role models to younger campers and age peers alike. Specifically, we look for maturity, judgment, positive attitude, emotional intelligence/regulation, interpersonal skills, stress management skills, good character/values, and an embodiment of our “Friendly to All” motto.

Parent Communication

Now that your camper is applying for a Leadership Development Program position, we expect them to handle communication with us whenever possible. If you reach out on their behalf, it sends a message to us that your camper might not be ready for a position of leadership and responsibility.

In handling the application and communication with us, your camper will learn important life and career skills such as taking initiative, written/oral communication, and problem-solving. These skills will advantage them in the future with college/university and other jobs.

Nervously Waiting

Most of the campers applying for the Leadership Development Program have attended Takodah for several years. Camp has given them a place where they could just be themselves without judgment. Everyone has been focused on their happiness and success, and they have rarely been told “no.”

Now that your child has completed their years as a camper – and they are applying for a competitive Leadership Development Program – they are facing the fear of not returning to camp next summer. Their concern is valid as not every applicant will receive a position in Leaders Corps or Leaders-in-Training.

Disappointing News

We have a limited number of spaces for Leader Corps and Leaders-in-Training programs because of capacities related to cabins, staffing, transportation, and apprenticeships.

Every teenager has great characteristics, and every applicant has wonderful supporters. However, like any highly selective job, college/university, or award, there are limited available spaces.

If we could grade performance and applications on an academic scale, and everyone received an ‘A,’ we still could not take every applicant.

Managing disappointment is a hard and necessary part of life. You might consider reading this article on Rejection and How to Handle It on helping your camper in processing their feelings.