“Demonstrating leadership” is on the minds of every student applying to college and their anxiety-riddled parents. We are told that colleges want to see prospective students show initiative, be a role model for their peers, and be recognized as a leader in their community. But not every kid can be captain of a varsity team, start a club, or spearhead a community service project. What’s more, leadership is not something that can be turned on at will but rather is a skill that is developed over time.
Summer is a wonderful time to practice the skills that can translate into leadership positions during the school year. Programs that encourage students to take responsibility, work together as a team, and persevere through discomfort all support the development of leadership skills.
A wilderness trip teaches kids that the success of the group depends on the willingness of each individual member to do their part. Setting up and breaking down camp, cooking for a group, planning a hiking route, and accounting for uncontrollable situations help foster independence, resilience, and accountability. Students learn that planning and preparation make the job easier, and that reaching the summit in the pouring rain is a well-earned accomplishment.
Sailing programs may sound like a fancy vacation, but in reality they are an important training ground for teamwork and leadership skill development. Close quarters require that everyone do their job, keep their space clean, and participate in the day-to-day functioning of the boat. Each student eventually helps lead the crew in navigating the route, delegating responsibilities, and ensuring that safety protocols are followed. What looks like a photo-worthy vacation is a result of effort and effective leadership.
As they enjoy time in nature with new friends in a tech-free environment, students don’t always realize that their fun, adventurous summer trip actually fosters real leadership skill development. Give your child a new experience and let them learn valuable life skills in the process. Tips on Trips and Camps advisors can help you find the perfect overnight summer program!
The data is clear – young men and boys are struggling. They lag girls in school, with lower GPAs, graduation rates, and levels of college matriculation. They are also more likely to lack social connections. Later in life, young men report more loneliness, lower rates of participation in the workforce, and saddest of all, higher levels of suicide than women of the same age. On their podcast Lost Boys, hosts Scott Galloway and Anthony Scaramucci delve deep into the causes of the crisis and speak to several thought leaders on what can be done to support young men and boys. Their first guest, Richard Reeves, author of Of Boys and Men, highlights the lack of strong male role models as a key element of the problem.
Spring break season is wrapping up, which means summer is around the corner! For many parents of teens, all of the “togetherness” over spring break can bring worry (or is it dread?) over having their teen home all summer with not enough to do. Jobs are wonderful but hard to come by, and they still leave too much time for hanging around and endless scrolling. Thankfully, there are so many incredible, overnight options for teens that fit every interest, passion, and schedule.
There is a sign that hangs in our summer cottage that reads, “If you get lost, come straight back to camp.” The quote is attributed to L.L. Bean, who posted this directive on the wall of his own hunting camp in Northern Maine in the early 1900s. I am reminded of it as the kids go back to school and the memories of camp slowly begin to be replaced by classes, sports commitments, and the rhythms of the fall schedule.
