At Wawenock, leadership is built into every camper’s experience. From the youngest to the oldest, girls are encouraged to step up, share their ideas, and take responsibility – learning skills that stay with them long after summer ends.
All campers are encouraged to make announcements or share their thoughts within their groups, helping them gain confidence by practicing public speaking from an early age.
Helping new campers feel welcome showed me how much one person can impact others.
Our youngest campers, the Lodgers, welcome prospective campers and bring them along to their activities. Middlers (5th and 6th grade) act as ‘buddies’ to Wonder Week campers, helping them choose Hobby Hour activities and participating alongside them.
Leading a service project showed me how much one person can inspire a team.
Sub-seniors (7th/8th grade) lead Camp Service Projects. They design creative skits to promote their programs, recruit volunteers, create schedules, and oversee their program’s progress.
Seniors (9th/10th grade) serve as table hostesses in the dining hall, modeling manners, helping new campers feel included, and keeping conversations lively. Seniors also take on broader leadership roles – guiding teams, teaching traditions, and setting a positive tone for the entire Camp Family.
Campers working toward Advanced Skills or Instructor’s Aide recognition are given opportunities to plan and teach portions of classes, building teaching and leadership experience in their activity areas.
The Leadership Training Program taught me to listen, support, and guide others with confidence.
Our oldest campers (10th/11th grade) participate in a summer-long Leadership Training Program. Meeting weekly with their program director and a camp director, they explore different leadership concepts, practice those skills, and discuss how to apply them to real-life situations at camp and beyond.
All of these organic, progressively challenging opportunities help campers develop a wide range of skills: confidence, teamwork, public speaking, problem-solving, and the ability to step up and lead. The impact of these experiences often extends beyond camp, supporting girls in school, communities, and future careers. For campers, parents, staff, and alumnae alike, the growth in leadership and confidence is one of Wawenock’s most valuable and lasting gifts.