This past July, 14-year-old Mikayla Hocker attended Camp Ford, a week-long outdoor leadership camp for teens who are starting their freshman year at Siskiyou County high schools. The camp is a collaboration of four partners: The Ford Family Foundation, Siskiyou Family YMCA, Rural Development Initiatives and Adventure White Water. In 2014, the Camp Ford name changes to Camp L.E.A.D., an acronym for “Leadership Education. Adventure Driven.” Along with specific training in leadership development, an array of fun camp activities and adventures further develop participants’ skills, and foster new friendships too.
Mikayla describes her experience at the camp: “The thing that I was most passionate about at Camp Ford was the amazing leadership activities. We got to find out what kind of leader we are, and learned how to help others more effectively according to our leadership type. We learned the four stages of performing with a group, how to open up and come out of our shell, and we also got to go river rafting every single day.”
NSP: What is it that got you involved with Camp Ford?
MH: “My sister went to Camp Ford the year before I did, and we are both very involved with leadership and volunteer work.”
NSP: What has contributed to helping you apply what you learned during your camp experience?
MH: “The friends that I made at camp have helped me become a better leader.”
NSP: What are you most proud of?
MH: “I am most proud that Camp Ford helped me break out of my shell and that I learned to take responsible risks. We had campfire almost every night, and at every campfire we had performances of some sort. The campers made up their own skits and sang songs in front of everyone. I have stage fright, but I loved being able to go out in front of everyone and sing without being scared.”
NSP: Do you recommend the camp experience to others?
MH: “Camp Ford was an absolutely amazing experience for me, and I strongly suggest that students attend. The camp is in the summer for 8th graders entering high school. All the camp counselors are Camp Ford graduates. It is sponsored by the Siskiyou Family YMCA so if you want to go, get in touch with them.”
To find out more about Camp Ford, contact Brady Svilich at (530) 842-0613 or visit the YMCA website at http://www.siskiyou-ymca.org. To contact Mikayla, email 9389@sisuhsd.net.
Posted in: Youth & Teen
Comment Policy: All viewpoints are welcome, but comments should remain relevant. Personal attacks, profanity, and aggressive behavior are not allowed. No spam, advertising, or promoting of products/services. Please, only use your real name and limit the amount of links submitted in your comment.
You Might Also Like...
Planning for College in Middle School – It’s Not Too Early
If you plan on sending your child to college you may wonder: how early should I begin planning? Besides saving for tuition and other expenses, what additional steps should I […]
Wear a Bicycle Helmet – Six Tips For Safety
Not only is riding a bike a rite of passage, representing fun, freedom and fresh air, it’s a healthy pastime that kids and families can enjoy together. Every month, hundreds […]
Growing Up Online – Getting Off To A Good Start On Facebook
Now that a quarter of the people online are also on Facebook, it’s no surprise children want to be there too. Getting a first Facebook page has become a rite […]
The Power of Awe: Why Our Children Need More Awe and How To Give It To Them
Maybe you just spotted a rainbow, watched a video about our expansive universe, or witnessed the birth of your child. The emotion you feel is hard to grasp—an overwhelming mix […]
