Leadership Training Program

LLT’s

The Lakotah Leadership Training Program is a year-round teen leadership training program designed to provide young men and women ages 14-17, with the skills and knowledge necessary to become well-qualified camp counselors and instructors. Just as important, it helps young people to develop the skills and motivation to serve as leaders and role models, at school, in their communities, and in their future endeavors.

Being a LLT is a lot of work. It is also a lot of fun. Responsibilities and privileges are carefully balanced to ensure both challenges and rewards. LLTs must fulfill requirements in each year of the program to be invited to return for the next program year.

The Leadership Training Program requires a commitment from each member. LLTs will be asked to exhibit increasingly mature and responsible behavior and to live by the rules set forth in the Camp Lakotah Code of Conduct.

Training includes skill development in camp activity areas, counseling workshops (covering topics such as interpersonal communication, team building, and child development and behavior management), supervised instructional experiences, and American Red Cross course work for certifications.

We believe strongly that this goal-oriented program helps young people establish the values and self-discipline necessary for success here and elsewhere.

It is the goal of the program to:

• Instill a commitment to a life of service.
• Develop the skills necessary to be an effective leader in our community such as respect, responsibility, communication, decision making, etc…
• Provide training opportunities in CPR, First Aid and Lifeguarding.
• Create a core of well trained, committed camp staff.
• Instill the spirit of Camp Lakotah to be passed on to the next generation of camp leaders.

Program Information

Participants are under the supervision of trained adult staff members and volunteers. During their overnight stay participants will stay in an assigned cabin with a staff member who was carefully chosen for their ability to work with teenagers. The entire camp community supports the growth and development of the LLTs while at Camp.

Participants are evaluated throughout their time in the program. At least two written evaluations are given to each participant during their stay at camp each summer, along with daily informal feedback sessions. Participants who are not meeting the requirements of the program are informed that they will not be able to continue in the program the following year. The Lakotah Leadership Training Program is challenging. This program is unique in that it is highly rigorous both physically and in relation to the expectations for personal growth. We expect those that are accepted into the program to maintain high performance standards at all times.

The LLT Program is a three-year commitment. It is mandatory to participate in all the fall and spring training weekends, and summer camp experience.  Attendance shows one’s commitment to the Program and Camp. In addition, it plays heavily on our decision to retain participants in the Program or consider them for future staffing needs.

How To Apply

Candidates are chosen and invited to join the program based on their attributes and experiences as a camper.