Leadership La Porte County recently completed its 5th annual Summer Leadership Camp for middle school students. Leadership La Porte County Youth camp was held at Kesling Park and the High Ropes Challenge Course at LaLumiere School. Over 80 students from the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades at La Porte and New Prairie Schools participated in activities to teach leadership skills and positive healthy living. The camp was funded in part, by a grant from the Alcoa Foundation. Facilitators for the camp were Alliegra Hand from the Youth Service Bureau, Monica Komasinski, Executive Director of Leadership LaPorte County and Jim Jessup, Volunteer Facilitator of Leadership La Porte County. They were assisted by volunteers from the adult leadership alumni, and graduates of the high school leadership program.
“It is amazing to see the skills that blossomed in these kids in just 4 short days”, Komasinski said. “They developed their leadership and personal skills such as responsibility, communication, team-work, creativity, collaboration, respect for others, and confidence”, Komasinski added.
During the school year the students will continue their leadership training with meetings and activities that will focus on the community, volunteerism, philanthropy, and special projects. As a result of a partnership with the Youth Service Bureau and the Unity Foundation of La Porte County, a group of the students will learn about fund-raising and grant-making for youth projects in La Porte County.
“The power of youth in our community is an important resource to tap. We are grateful for partnerships with the Youth Service Bureau and the YMCA in allowing us to bring programming to the kids. We are always looking for new partners and resources to make it happen. It is a powerful program for an age group that needs positive activities and messages,” Komasinski concluded.
For more information, contact Leadership La Porte County at 219-325-8223 or info@leadershiplaportecounty.com.