Goals

The large-scale goals and outcomes for the  Leadership Development Program mirror the goals of the traditional camper experience: you will discover, create, explore, and care. These goals, however, will be pursued in the context of service to camp and campers.

You will:

• learn about the developmental and safety considerations of various program elements.

• participate in the brainstorming and creation processes staff go through when designing lodge experiences, themes, games, overnights and much more.

• explore your leadership strengths and stretches in the context of community living and the collaborative endeavor of camp programming.

• care about the campers, place, equipment, and future of the program.

• reflect on your experience and consider how your learning can apply to your future in both the camp contexts and any of the other contexts you are exploring (college, career, family, etc.)

About the program

requirements

To qualify as a counselor-in-training in our Leadership Development Program, you must have at least one year of experience as a Camp Gallagher camper and must also have completed your senior year of high school.

Training

Before working with campers, you will participate in an onsite orientation that covers program and personal goals, participant expectations and guidelines, camper developmental needs, Gallagher philosophy and mission, and camp policies and procedures.

supervision

You will receive training, mentorship, and evaluation from the on-site LDP coordinator. This coordinator has many years of experience in a wide-variety of camp roles and works directly with the summer camp director and staff to build an integrated leadership experience.

engagement

Our Leadership Development Program requires that you attend at least one of our middle school sessions so that you can put your training and certifications to use!

Once campers arrive in camp, you will rotate through lodge and program area assignments to learn strategies and best practices in regards to both program-specific skills and working with the campers themselves. You will have the chance to bring your favorite parts of camp to life for new campers by leading songs at campfire, participating in sundown, playing wide games, and embracing creative and spontaneous programming.

Collaboration

Throughout your experience, your cohort will also spend some dedicated time as a small group with the LDP coordinator to reflect on your leadership and brainstorm new ideas or solutions to challenges. By the end of your experience, you'll have gained a new appreciation for the camping experience and community, confidence in your leadership and camp-specific skills, and a passion for continued growth and learning.

2025 Dates and Rates

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