Who are Team Leaders?
Team Leaders are high school youth grades 9-10 that lead and accompany a small group of campers for the duration of a camp. Team leaders may serve at summer camps, campouts, or weekend retreats.
A team leader:
A team leader:
- First and foremost seeks to grow in their own formation and be a model to younger campers,
- Is genuinely interested in the well-being of the campers on his team and gets to know them well,
- Fosters true friendship among the campers in the team,
- Prays for each camper in the team and leads the team in prayer,
- Actively participates in or helps organize various camp activities for the team,
- Helps the team to maintain order and cleanliness in their cabin,
- Shows enthusiasm and joy even in adverse circumstances,
- Is the first one to enjoy all the camp fun activities alongside the campers on the team!
Team Leader Profile
Every year a select group of high school boys and girls that exhibit the necessary qualities are invited to be a team leader for a retreat or summer camp. Note that this is the ideal profile of a team leader. We understand that high school students are also growing in their own maturity and experience.
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Dates/Times and Ages
AGES:
DATES:
Team leaders follow the general schedule of each of the long summer camps or weekend retreats. For our camp calendar, click here.
TIMES:
Arrival at 11am the day the camp starts for some initial training.
Departure at 7pm the day the camp ends to participate in the feedback session.
For Summer Camps:
Team leaders will need to arrive to camp a few hours early or a day or two early to receive personalized training and preparation for their role. The purpose of this training is to familiarize upcoming team leaders with:
For Weekend Retreats:
In general, team leaders will need to arrive at least at the same time as the start of the weekend retreat, or maybe an hour or two early. This information is provided when invitations to be a team leader go out.
- Summer camps: Incoming 9-10th grades.
- School-year retreats: Grades 9-10.
DATES:
Team leaders follow the general schedule of each of the long summer camps or weekend retreats. For our camp calendar, click here.
TIMES:
Arrival at 11am the day the camp starts for some initial training.
Departure at 7pm the day the camp ends to participate in the feedback session.
For Summer Camps:
Team leaders will need to arrive to camp a few hours early or a day or two early to receive personalized training and preparation for their role. The purpose of this training is to familiarize upcoming team leaders with:
- the use and care of the facilities,
- how to lead a small group,
- training in teamwork,
- preparing for the Gospel reflections,
- and growth in the understanding of prayer and apostolate in ECYD.
For Weekend Retreats:
In general, team leaders will need to arrive at least at the same time as the start of the weekend retreat, or maybe an hour or two early. This information is provided when invitations to be a team leader go out.
Spiritual Formation
Team leading is an opportunity for high school youth to take the first steps in camp leadership. But it is also a chance to grow further spiritually. It’s an opportunity for them to develop the habit of prayer so that they continue to develop their relationship with Christ past the summer camps.
To foster this growth in the spiritual life, they will have morning and night prayers, daily Mass and adoration, as well as a directed prayer based on the Scriptures, Gospel reflections, prayers before and after meals, talks and catechesis on pertinent themes, and a daily decade of the rosary (if not the whole rosary).
They will do an occasional Encounter with Christ (Gospel reflection and reflection on a pertinent theme) and an occasional “Highs and Lows” (a team feedback session on high points and ways each person can improve).
Spiritual direction and the sacrament of confession will also be readily available to them and encouraged.
To foster this growth in the spiritual life, they will have morning and night prayers, daily Mass and adoration, as well as a directed prayer based on the Scriptures, Gospel reflections, prayers before and after meals, talks and catechesis on pertinent themes, and a daily decade of the rosary (if not the whole rosary).
They will do an occasional Encounter with Christ (Gospel reflection and reflection on a pertinent theme) and an occasional “Highs and Lows” (a team feedback session on high points and ways each person can improve).
Spiritual direction and the sacrament of confession will also be readily available to them and encouraged.
An Adventure Awaits!
Being a team leader also means an awesome summer camp or weekend retreat to enjoy! Check it out the various activities a team leader might get to do:
- Outings for horseback riding or canoeing
- Archery tag, regular archery, and laser tag
- Dodgeball, capture the flag, basketball, or other field/gym sports
- Swimming, slip 'n slide, war mattress, fishing
- Participation in the adventure reenactments (includes battles), firing cannons
- Hanging out by the hammock circle or bonfire with s'mores and fireworks
- Crafts, Legos, and hands-on skill building activities like axe throwing, fire starting, etc.
- And of course great food! And more...!
General Guidelines
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Other Pertinent Info
- The upcoming summer calendar: Camp Calendar.
- Ideas on what to bring: What to Bring List.
- Photos or videos of what camp is like: Photo Tour or Video Tour.
- Click here for directions: Directions to Camp.
- Camp social media: Camp Facebook, Camp YouTube, Camp Instagram, or Camp LinkedIn.
Need More Info?
Application Process for Summer Camps
Note that the team leader sessions are available on a first come basis. Spots are limited and that is not just a marketing ploy!
- Invitation: Normally, your son or daughter will receive an invitation from the camp by email and phone.
- OR, if you have not been invited, you may inquire about your child being accepted as a summer camp team leader by emailing us at campriverridge@gmail.com.
- Enrollment: When ready, parents will enroll their son or daughter in the corresponding summer camp(s). Keep in mind we invite more young people than there are spots available!
Application Process for Weekend Retreats
Note that the team leader sessions are available on a first come basis. Spots are limited and that is not just a marketing ploy!
- Invitation: Normally, your son or daughter will receive an invitation from the camp by email and phone. If you have not been invited, you may inquire about your child being accepted as a team leader by emailing us at campriverridge@gmail.com.
- Enrollment: When ready, parents will enroll their son or daughter in the corresponding weekend retreat(s). Keep in mind we invite more young people than there are spots available!
Questions?
If you have any questions whatsoever about the Team Leader program, please contact us at campriverridge@gmail.com. Thank you!