Discover the Importance of Leadership Skills

Now more than ever, we’re seeing that individuals who possess leadership skills tend to be more successful in overcoming adverse circumstances. It’s important to teach our kids to be leaders, as there are benefits in all aspects of life –– including academics, career, personal relationships, and even self-esteem. While some people appear to be natural-born leaders, you may be surprised to learn that the majority of successful leaders take intentional measures to develop these important skills. This is great news since it means everyone has leadership potential.

Kids and teens possessing leadership traits have more opportunities to make a positive impact on the community and people around them. Effective skills of a leader include the ability to: • Think strategically • Communicate well with others • Show discipline and self-control • Give (and receive) constructive feedback • Inspire and mentor others • Demonstrate courage and confidence • Be compassionate towards others • Overcome challenges

Summer is the perfect time to work on developing these skills and participation in a teen leadership program is an excellent way to learn responsibility, explore real world job skills, build an impressive resume, and add substance to future college applications. Here are some popular local programs (Be sure to check with each to find out what accommodations and/or modifications are being made to programs in light of COVID-19):

Boy Scouts of America Boy Scouts of America

Boy Scouts of America Boy Scouts of America offers weeklong, aquatic-focused summer resident camp experiences at Camp Fiesta Island on beautiful Mission Bay. Their Counselor in Training (CIT) Program provides a unique opportunity for Scouts and venturers, ages 14 and 15, to develop leadership skills while also having fun, making new friends, earning merit badges, and meeting Ranger requirements. Learn more at https://camping.sdicbsa.org/ YAC/SummerCamp.php.

Girl Scouts

“The whole philosophy of Girl Scouts is to learn-by-doing through progression,” says Lisa Gipson, a Girl Scout leader for 20 years and mom of three daughters. “Girls learn age-appropriate ways to lead at every level. So, while kindergarteners participate in decision-making, fifth graders teach younger scouts, middle schoolers plan events, and high schoolers discover their entrepreneurial spirit. All grades participate in community service. It’s awesome!”

Girl Scouts also provides summer leadership training sessions and hands-on opportunities for teens. Girls do not have to be in a troop to participate. Starting in seventh grade, Day Camp Aids (DCAs) can learn important life skills from Counselors in-Training (CITs) and staff while helping campers with crafts, games, songs, and other tasks. Beginning in ninth grade, CITs can mentor DCAs and campers while taking on additional leadership roles. To learn more, see www.sdgirlscouts.org/en/camp/ways-to-camp/day-camps/teen-mentoring.html.

YMCA of San Diego County

Leadership opportunities abound within the YMCA’s wide range of summer camp programs. Teens can choose from daytime or overnight camps to learn essential leadership skills –– then develop hands-on job experience as Leaders in Training (LIT) or Camp Assistants (CA). If your teen loves mentoring younger kids, this is a great way to spend the summer! YMCA programs also serve as a place to fulfill community service hours required for school.

To explore leadership day camp options, visit www.ymcasd.org/program-finder/program/daycamp-24. For more information on overnight camps, go to www.ymcasd.org/camps/camp-marston/summercamp-marston/teen-leadershipcamp-marston.

Develop Leadership Skills with National Charity League (NCL) San Diego

If you’re looking to foster mother-daughter relationships while helping your young teenage girl develop leadership skills, you might be interested in National Charity League of San Diego. This philanthropic program –– spanning all year long –– is committed to promoting the values of community service, leadership development and cultural experiences.

Mother-daughter teams typically make a six-year commitment, from 7 th to 12 th grade, to do a certain amount of community service each year at pre-approved organizations. Often, duos meet up with others from their chapter to volunteer and, on occasion, to participate in fun activities together. Participants also have opportunities to meet people from other chapters when participating in larger-scale volunteer events.

Throughout the NCL experience, girls are encouraged to become class officers and hold traditional leadership roles. Similar expectations are placed on involved mothers. Most importantly, this life-changing program carves out quality time to spend together, make friends, and ultimately learn the value of giving back to the community. To learn more about this multi-year program and to find a chapter near you, visit www.nationalcharityleague.org.

Junior Achievement (JA) of San Diego County

Junior Achievement’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Weeklong summer day camps are available at their facilities near Allied Gardens for middle school and upper elementary school kids. Sixth through eighth grade campers can discover leadership potential at Mission Fed JA Finance Park while having fun, making friends, exploring careers, and discovering ways to help them succeed in their bright futures. For students entering fourth through sixth grades, JA BizTown offers opportunities to explore job skills, build a resume, experience job interviews, and form a business plan –– all while having the time of their lives.

To learn more about JA’s summer camps and year-round programs, visit https://sandiego.ja.org.

Camp Challenge at Army & Navy Academy

Camp Challenge participants learn leadership skills through hands-on experiences and interactive classes, while exploring how to make valuable contributions to their families, teams and communities. Two-week Leadership Education and Training (LET) sessions for high school students showcase the values of honor, integrity, respect, responsibility, compassion and gratitude. Middle school campers can participate in Leadership Development Programs. All participants will love the gorgeous, oceanfront campus in Carlsbad.

Prospective high school campers can learn more at www.armyandnavyacademy.org/summer-programs/high-school. Potential middle school campers can visit www.armyandnavyacademy.org/ summer-programs/middle-school.

Lisa Pawlak is an award-winning contributing writer and local mom of two boys.