Creating Leaders at Camp Tommy

The new Leadership Program at Camp Tommy provides a supportive environment for youth to grow, connect and develop skills that extend far beyond camp – to school, college and future careers.  

Camp Tommy is now home to the Counselor-in-Training and Leaders-in-Training programs, providing an important transition for youth on their journeys from campers to staff. The Leaders-In-Training (LIT) program, for youth ages 15, focuses on social-emotional learning, personal growth and developing an understanding of what it means to be a leader. The Counselor-In-Training (CIT) program, for youth ages 16-17, focuses on developing leadership, team-building and communication skills.   

Inspiring Summer Highlights 

Kanston McIver, Director of Camp Tommy and Learning and Development Manager, shared that Camp Tommy’s first summer was inspiring and unforgettable. What emerged from the first summer of the program was something truly special—a warm, supportive, family-like community.   

“I saw transformations in the campers who attended this summer,” Kanston said. “While many campers already had a strong sense of self, throughout the summer, I noticed them becoming more expressive and learning to articulate their feelings in respectful and thoughtful ways.”  

“Camp Tommy is special because everyone here has a role to play,” said Hong, 16. “We work as a team and also develop our leadership skills.”  

Camp Tommy taught Hong what it means to be a leader as well as the importance of taking initiative and being the type of person who steps up and takes action. “The biggest difference in coming to Camp Tommy is that we participate in workshops and learn more about ourselves during the summer.” 

“Camp Tommy and The Fresh Air Fund have helped me with my communication and socializing skills,” said Vivian, 16. “Camp is my second home.” 

Leadership Development and Social-Emotional Learning 

The workshops at Camp Tommy, which covered topics such as healthy relationships, professionalism, setting goals, and more, helped campers grow both individually and as a community.   

“The Healthy Relationships workshop, for example, gave campers a safe space to talk about boundaries, communication and respect,” Kanston said.  “Other workshops throughout the summer focused on self-awareness, leadership and empathy, helping campers reflect on who they are and how they show up for others. Collectively, these experiences empowered campers to build stronger relationships, communicate more openly, and carry those lessons beyond camp. It was inspiring to see them take what they learned in workshops and apply it in their day-to-day interactions.” 

Amber, 16, shared that being in nature and doing camp activities made her feel more present.  “I’ve learned a lot about leadership by watching how our counselors and other camp staff lead us,” said Amber. “I also really enjoyed the low ropes course. I had never done anything like that before and it really helped us with our communication skills because we had to work as a team.” 

Raziyah, 16, had never been to a sleepaway camp before Camp Tommy, but she learned the importance of trying new things and even swam in a lake for the first time.  

“This program has had a positive impact on me. I’ve made so many new friendships and tried new things,” said Raziyah. “I learned how to build a community with people from all different backgrounds, and how to be patient and respectful of one another.” 

Looking Forward 

Every summer at The Fresh Air Fund’s camps create new opportunities for young people to challenge themselves, form meaningful connections and discover more about who they are, and Camp Tommy takes it a step further by helping campers develop their personal and professional skillsets that they can carry with them into the future.  

What excites Kanston most about future summers at Camp Tommy is seeing the continued growth and transformation of both new and returning campers.  “I’m especially excited to build on the strong foundation of emotional awareness and community care that we’ve developed, to see campers not only express themselves but also lift each other up in even deeper ways. Most of all, I’m excited for those small, powerful moments—when a camper steps out of their comfort zone, finds their voice, or realizes they’re part of something bigger than themselves. I imagine that those are the moments that will make Camp Tommy so special year after year.”