Young Leaders
Developing the next generation of leaders
The Fall FIERCE cohort will start on Monday, October 12th!
Young Leaders: Summer Camp
Young Leaders provides an opportunity for teens, ages 14-17, to develop leadership skills in order to prepare them for leadership roles in their schools, communities, at camp, and in their futures. This is a summer position where teens serve as role models helping counselors with campers in the cabin and doing work around camp, such as helping with meal prep and running activities.
This is considered a volunteer position; however, teens are compensated (in mid-August) for each week they work during the summer.
Youth interested in participating in the Young Leaders summer camp program must be 14 years old by June 1 of the upcoming summer season.
Please note: teens are not guaranteed acceptance into this program. Being a Young Leader is hard, fast-paced work at times. Acceptance is based on capability, enthusiasm for the program, and overall maturity.
Young Leaders: School Year Programs
Monthly Meetings
Young Leader monthly meetings will begin again in January. Stay tuned for details and exact dates.
At these meetings teens will receive updates on our teen programs, training for Young Leaders: Summer Camp, and work on program development to be delivered by them during their time at summer camp.
FIERCE Leaders Cohort
It's here! Our Young Leader F.I.E.R.C.E. Program is back this Fall!
This 6-week after-school program will begin on Monday, October 12, 2026, and will meet weekly at our West Olive location from 6pm - 7:30pm. (10451 Lakeshore Dr, West Olive, MI 49460) If you are in need of transportation assistance please contact us; Lexi@CampBlodgett.org
This program is catered to teens only in Ottawa County that are in grades 7th-10th grade! (Our Kent County Cohort will begin next Spring!)
Grounded in the F.I.E.R.C.E. values—Flexibility, Initiative, Empathy, Responsibility, Communication, and Empowerment—the program equips participants with the tools to become effective leaders both within camp and in their broader communities.
Program components include:
- Development of leadership and initiative skills
- CPR/First Aid Training
- Community Service
- Practice in public speaking and communication
- Through this experience, campers will grow in confidence, develop practical skills, and prepare to take on future leadership roles.
Young Leaders FAQs
Why are the ages for monthly meetings & FIERCE Cohort different this year?
We found that having such a large age gap (13-17) in the meetings & cohort made it hard to keep everyone engaged, so we decided to split the programs into two age groups.
Does my teen have to take part in school-year YL programs to be a YL at summer camp?
No, Young Leaders: School Year participation is not required, though we do recommend they join if possible! It's a great way to hone their leadership skills during the year and prepare for Young Leaders: Summer Camp. During the school year programs, they also have a chance to help plan programming and activities for the campers during summer camp.
Can my 13-year-old attend YL programs?
The Young Leaders: Summer Camp program is only for teens ages 14-17. Teens must be 14 years old by June 1 of the upcoming summer season.
Questions?
If you still have questions, contact us at registrar@campblodgett.org or 616-949-0780 ext. 105.