Teen Leadership Program

The Fund’s Teen Leadership Program provides teens, ages 13 to 15, with a safe, nurturing environment to focus on personal growth, leadership and community service. Campers are challenged to express themselves within an emotionally safe and supportive environment. By discovering and developing their potential, teens become more independent and self-confident.

13- and 14-year-olds attend either Camp ABC, Camp Hayden-Marks or Camp Junior for one camp session during the summer.

15-year-olds participate in the Leadership in Training (LIT) program and attend Camp Junior or Camp Tommy for two camp sessions over the summer. LIT applicants are interviewed before being accepted into the program.

Teen leaders…

participate in many camp activities, from team sports to art and music classes, in addition to leadership development and team-building workshops. Workshops cover a wide range of topics from self-esteem, body image and healthy choices, bullying, social justice and public speaking to goal setting and conflict resolution.

During the academic year, teen leaders can participate in several programs including the Young Women’s Giving Circle (YWGC), the Circle of Brotherhood (COB) program, the Breaking Barriers program or be nominated for the Youth Advisory Board.

YWGC teaches young women about the importance of community service and the power of philanthropy. With the guidance of advisors, students meet weekly to continue their learning, research social issues, plan community service projects and strategize for fundraising.

Circle of Brotherhood is a small mentoring group for boys ages 13–17 which focuses on community-building, social-emotional learning and discussing views on healthy manhood and current events.

The Breaking Barriers program offers hands on activities focusing on experiences that are often associated with one gender. The program is breaking barriers and inviting teen participants in all The Fund’s programs to participate.

The Youth Advisory Board meets monthly and is a way The Fresh Air Fund promotes youth voice. Youth Advisory board members provide feedback to full time staff on decisions and program changes being made. Teen leaders can also participate in The Fund’s College Connections Program.

Program Components include:

Traditional camp activities including swimming, art and music classes, environmental science and hiking
Personal growth and leadership workshops
Activities may focus on self-esteem, communication, social justice, public speaking, goal setting, conflict resolution and community service projects

Learn more about our Enrichment Programs