The Leadership Development Program gives teens entering 10th-12th grade an opportunity to develop character, establish a leadership style, provide service, and build community. This program is for those who love camp and want to learn the skill needed to transition from camper to camp staff member. Participants in the program (LDPs) get a chance to learn to how to lead others, facilitate camp activities, create an experience for the campers of YCG, and be a positive role at camp and in life. Those who successfully complete the complete will earn a skill set that will transfer to any career path

LDP PROGRAM

All LDP years are based on the grade you are entering in the Fall of 2025. The three levels of the program are Sophomore, Junior, and Senior LDP. There is an optional part of the LDP Program called Service Corps that is available to Sophomore and Junior LDPs. Participants must be enrolled in the program in order to participate in Service Corps. Details on the specific levels and Service Corps can found below.

If campers do not have any interest in our LDP Program, there are still Division 4 adventure and base camp session throughout the summer. There is also the opportunity to do both LDP and a D4 adventure/base session.

Sophomore LDPs

Participants will go through a week-long training session where you will learn the skills needed to support and lead at camp. Find out how to work with kids, what it means to operate in a camp community, learn your leadership style, and how your experience at camp applies to every aspect of your life. From magic moments and camp songs to creating smiles and building confidence, the sophomore level is the first step to take to be a successful LDP and begin your leadership journey here at Camp Greenville. This level may also participate in Service Corps for no additional charge

· Parents register their participant for a week of LDP training

· Sessions offered: Schedule for Summer 2025 coming soon

· Spots are first come, first serve

· Stay in a cabin with other training week participants

· Once registered, camp will send the process to do service corps

· Registration opens in October.

Junior LDPs

For individuals who are rising Juniors in Summer 2024 and are looking to apply their skills in a cabin/trip setting. Be assigned to a cabin or adventure trip in a support role and help create and enhance the overall experience of our campers.

Use the skills you gained during your training week to help manage the flow of camp and your cabin dynamic, carry out magic moments, assist in program areas and begin the understanding of “working” in the camp setting. You will gain confidence, directly lead campers, and have the support/feedback to grow and enhance your leadership. Assignments can be for up to 2 weeks (consecutive or one at a time) plus Service Corps for either Adventure or Base camp.

· Serve as an LDP as a volunteer in the cabin with a staff and senior LDP.

· Participants must apply and be accepted in to the program. There is no cost to being a Junior LDP.

· Weeks assigned by staff based on participant’s availability and the needs of camp during the application process.

· If you are a first time LDP, attendance at the spring training retreat is extremely encouraged.

· Applications open October 7, 2024. Deadline to apply is November 5, 2024. Participants must fill out the application form.

Senior LDPs

For individuals who are rising Seniors in Summer 2024 and are looking to make a big step towards understanding how to work, lead, and make an impact in the camp setting and beyond.

With the help of your cabin leader, you will have a direct role in managing day to day life at camp and the camper community dynamic. You will have increased responsibility, continue to refine your skills, further develop your leadership identity, and get the best sense of the role that suits you best at camp.

Senior LDPs have the opportunity to now receive a stipend for their time at camp and must go through an employee hiring process for their application.

· Opportunity to apply to serve as an assistant cabin leader

· If you are a first time LDP, attendance at the spring training retreat is extremely encouraged

· Opportunity to serve up to 4 weeks of the summer, with at least 2 weeks preferred

· Application will be an employee hiring process, and must be completed by the participant/employee, not by a parent

· The Senior LDP will be compensated with a stipend

· Service Corps is not available to senior LDPs

· Applications open October 7, 2024. Deadline to apply is November 5, 2024.

Service Corps

Once they are accepted into or registered for a session, sophomore and junior LDPs will have the chance to add on an additional week of Service corps for no charge. This is an optional add on and does not impact success in the program.

This is the service side of the LDP program where individuals will live and work in their peer group, help to understand the different departments at camp, and play a supportive role in many areas. Most of the time spent will be in our food services dish room followed by remaining time in various fun and service projects.

This subset of the Leadership Development Program is an opportunity for you to give back to camp, operate in a work setting, earn service hours for school, and forge a bond with others while making camp run smoothly.

· Only eligible if signed up for sophomore or junior LDP

• Sophomores: After registering for your LDP Training Week, a form will become available in the Parent Portal under “Forms and Documents” to show interest in signing up for Service Corps.

• Juniors: On your application, you will have the opportunity to indicate your interest in signing up for Service Corps.

ALL service corps sessions are assigned based on availability and ultimately, the needs of each session.   

LDP Retreats

The best way for your camper to learn about the program and get any questions answered is to attend our LDP retreats. We host one in the Fall for general information and interest and we host a Spring retreat for those accepted into the program where they will receive training for the upcoming summer.

The spring retreat is extremely encouraged for ALL LDP participants.

More information about the Spring 2025 Retreat will become available in March 2025.