Young Leaders
Developing the next generation of leaders
Applications for Young Leaders: Summer Camp will open on March 9, 2026!
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
Starting March 19, teens ages 15-17 are invited to join us for our monthly Young Leaders meetings from 4:30pm - 6:30pm at Public Thread in Grand Rapids. (955 Godfrey Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
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
Our FIERCE Leaders Cohort is back for SPRING 2026! Starting on March 13, teens ages 13-15 can join us for meetings on Fridays after-school from 4:30pm-6:30pm! Meetings will be held at Public Thread in Grand Rapids. (955 Godfrey Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
Throughout their experience as Young Leaders, they will dive into learning more about our FIERCE Leadership characteristics and how to embody these traits in their daily lives. These characteristics include:
Flexibility
Initiative
Empathy
Responsibility
Communication
Empowerment
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.