What is Leadership Camp?

Leadership Camp exists to help campers learn and practice real leadership skills they’ll use in camp, church, and everyday life.

This camp runs alongside RCI’s Camp Bountiful for junior high campers. Leadership campers will be assisting with Camp Bountiful while also participating in focused leadership training. Campers will go home with a campfire song box and a toolbox for team building. They’ll have an abundance of notes and resources, and we hope to fill them with ideas for ways to continue leading others long after camp has ended.

Leadership Camp intentionally accepts a small number of campers each year. This allows us to provide meaningful hands-on leadership opportunities for every participant. Campers will be challenged to take initiative and work hard. They’ll need to make thoughtful choices, try new things, and grow from honest, constructive feedback. The challenges are intentional and designed to build skills and confidence.

Leadership comes in many forms. Some leaders are outgoing or charismatic speakers. Others lead quietly through dedication, reliability, and service. Leadership Camp values all of these strengths. This is not a popularity contest, and no one is expected to be perfect. What matters most is a willingness to step up, do the work, and follow through — all while reflecting the love of Jesus in everyday interactions with others.

Some campers worry that Leadership Camp will be nonstop work with no rest. While campers are expected to work hard and take on real responsibilities, we know that people serve others best when they take care of their mental and physical health. Being a leader is also unpredictable, and sometimes a late night is what is needed in order to complete an important task. At camp we will learn how to plan ahead and stay organized so that we can be at our best when it comes time to take the lead!

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for Leadership Camp, please fill out the online application form to be put on the waitlist. Then, by April 1, please email the following to the camp director, Nannette Smith, at nannette222@gmail.com:

1) A written statement about why you’d like to attend Leadership Camp.

2) A letter of recommendation from someone in your life who can speak to your dedication, reliability, and willingness to serve.

After April 1, the Leadership Camp staff will review the letters and statements and select the final camper roster for the year. Because space is limited, not every applicant can be accepted each year. In making selections, the staff considers factors such as program capacity, the structure and responsibilities of the week, and how close an applicant is to aging out of the program.

Not being selected is not a reflection of a camper’s worth or potential as a leader. Many strong applicants are simply affected by space limitations, and students are encouraged to apply again in future years.

Applicants who are accepted will then need to complete full registration on the RCI website to officially become a camper. Please be sure your phone number is listed so we can contact you easily.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to text or call the camp director, Nannette Smith, at 816-392-8430.

Camp begins on SATURDAY, July 11 at 6:30 pm and ends at Saturday, July 18 at 12:00 noon.