Leadership camp brings world-wide teens together for mentoring

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Rau
  • 460th Space Wing Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Buckley recently had the unique opportunity to host, for the first-time ever outside of Texas, a youth leadership camp for 33 teens from around the world June 27 – July 1.

The camp focused on leadership building through team-based activities, such as wall climbing, canoeing, and zip-lining. The youth also engaged in classes that taught techniques and benefits of leadership.

“We had the teens face their fears and overcome the obstacles, or at the very least, attempt the obstacles,” explained Kaureen Whittaker, Youth Programs chief, when describing the challenges each youth faced. “In our post survey, the teens said that the leadership trait they most gained from the activities was confidence.”

In the past, this camp has only been held in San Antonio, Texas, but this year it was moved to Buckley. The camp is sponsored by Air Force Services Agency Child and Youth Programs.

“We are very thankful to have had the chance to host it here,” Whittaker. “Being able to bring in teens from around the world and highlight what Buckley and Colorado has to offer has been incredible. They get to see an environment that is very different from some of their home bases.”

According to the data gathered from the youth who attended the camp, 98.5% would like to go to the camp again.

“I really enjoyed the camp and the leadership, and after all of it, I still want to learn more,” said Ernesto Flores, a camp participant. “It was awesome to meet people from all over the world. I definitely want to go again next year and I am reaching out to all of my peers and trying to get them to go as well.”

 

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