By: Micah Maxwell—MUNCIE, IN – Recognizing the ongoing need for community advocates and programs to engage teens, the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie announces its inaugural Youth Leadership Boot Camp.
The weeklong residential conference – June 13-17 – will focus on giving teens the practical tools needed to thrive as leaders engaged in their communities. All teens are encouraged to apply and registration is free. Through a competitive application process, 25 participants will be selected for this pilot program.
“This will be an intensive leadership camp geared toward arming teens with the tools they need most to be successful,” said Micah Maxwell, Executive Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie.
The camp will offer workshops on how to be peer leaders; how to lead projects and advocate for causes; how to plan, facilitate and communicate with groups of people; and how to speak, communicate and use social media in a professional and effective manner. Teens also will develop healthy relationships with other teens, adult mentors and community leaders.
“Teens will leave the camp equipped with knowledge to help lead their communities,” Maxwell said. “Through a community mapping process, participants will be led through an activity to identify issues and potential projects to work on like neighborhood crime, poverty or education.”
Once selected, participants will spend a week on Ball State University’s campus engaged in a rigorous schedule of sessions, leadership and team-building activities, small group discussions and personal reflection.
“We know, increasingly, our role in the community is to focus even more on teenagers,” said Juli Metzger, president of the Board of the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie. “This rigorous week-long camp will challenge teen participants and push them to exceed their expectations.”
Teens entering 8-12 grades are eligible to apply for the camp. The application, which is due by May 31st, can be submitted online at http://www.bgcmuncie.org/leadershipcamp/.
The competitive application process includes an initial application, recommendations from both a parent/guardian and other adult (such as a mentor, coach or supervisor), and an interview with the camp staff. Selections will be announced in early June.
About Boys & Girls Club of Muncie
The Boys & Girls Club of Muncie was founded in 1933. Our mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential, as productive, caring and responsible citizens. We provide a safe place to learn and grow; ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals; life-enhancing programs and character development experiences; and hope and opportunity. You can learn more at www.bgcmuncie.org. For more information, please contact the Boys & Girls Club at frontdesk@bgcmuncie.org or (765) 282-4461.