YMCA
Camp Orkila Leadership Development Institute (LDI)
Our Leadership Development Institute's (LDI) two week program is a
great "next step" for teens who have been coming to traditional camp
for years, and a wonderful introduction to camp for someone new to Orkila. LDI
combines familiar traditional camp activities with a leadership focus with a five-day
expedition - sailing, sea kayaking or bike touring.
Together with their
peers and skilled instructors, a group sets out on an adventure. The
two main parts of this journey are life in and around camp, where
participants engage with each other and younger campers through workshops,
service projects, and active leadership tasks with younger children AND
backcountry travel via self-supported bike touring, sea kayaking or sailing.
In camp, LDI
participants will lead games with younger groups, partake in traditional camp
activities, come together on our challenge course and take an active role in
camp life. The goal of each activity is to transition away from simply
participating in Camp Orkila, and instead, practicing creating that experience
for someone else and learning what it takes to be a leader at camp.
On expedition, every
participant will be put in the position of "leader for the day" with
at least one of their peers. In this position, Teens will run every
aspect of the day, from the time the group gets up in the
morning, travels to a new campsite, and all the way to what value
session will be facilitated that evening with support from
instructors as needed.
Throughout the
groups’ time together, wherever the group goes, they are continuing
an extended conversation about the inherent qualities of leadership. The
questions our workshops explore are: “What is a leader, and what are their
qualities?” “How can I communicate most effectively?” “How do I make decisions
as an individual and in a group?” “What does it mean to engage in healthy
conflict?”
Our Leadership
Development Institute (LDI) program is the 2nd step in Orkila’s
Teen
Leadership Progression. Each step is progressive, building upon lessons
from the previous experience. Completing this sequence is a great way to
prepare for applying to join the Orkila summer staff, though
completion is not a prerequisite of employment.
Click HERE to see a
sample LDI schedule
More about the LDI Program
Food and Lodging
LDI Participants may
spend the first five days of their either in the Dederer Center or in open-air
cabins in Tracy Strong Village. Tracy Strong cabins are co-gendered and Dederer
Cabins have separate rooms for male- and female-identified participants. While
on their expedition, participants will sleep under tarps, separated by gender. Participants
at camp have meals in Tracy Strong lodge and work together to cook meals while
on expedition.
Expedition Component
For five days, LDIs
will travel through the San Juan Islands by bike, kayak or sail boat. They will
pack everything needed into boats or on to their bikes and spend each night
making camp on a different island. Participants will have to read through the parent
handbook to make sure they bring appropriate equipment with them*.
They will also need to prepare themselves physically prepared to spend
between 2 and 6 hours traveling each day.
*Camp Orkila can also provide clothing
and equipment for participants unable to provide their own – Please call us if
you have any questions at 206.382.5009
Service Component
Service is a big
part of leadership. Every LDI session incorporates a planned service
component so the group can contribute to the Orkila or Orcas
Island community in a small but impactful way. Service
projects have included partnering with local farms to plant or harvest
vegetables, working with community organizations and improving camp
infrastructure. Upon completion of the program, participants receive 10 hours
of community service.
Workshops
In addition to traditional camping
activities, Teens will also have the opportunity to take part in some
intentional workshops as a part of the LDI program. All LDI Participants will
learn about leadership, communication techniques and working with youth. LDI
Trip Leaders may also add in other workshops and activity that explore
community development, storytelling or other areas of interest.
WORDS FROM PARTICIPANTS
"Coming to camp really showed me how fast you can truly
bond with someone and become loved with all of that person’s trust. I will
always remember my family at Camp Orkila!"
"I learned how to maintain an outlook of positivity, even
in the most trying situation. Overcoming difficulties like passing the flip
test and kayaking helped me learn how to push myself through, ultimately making
me a stronger person."
"I will bring back my newfound confidence. During the LDI
program, I learned how to just go up and have a conversation with a person. I
learned that true happiness doesn’t mean getting everything you want, it means
fighting through things and emerging on the other side with people you truly
care about."
"Here at camp, I have learned to always be myself, and not
change in order to fit in with other. I’ve also learned to keep a positive
mind-set and to stay confident.”
“The main thing that I will bring back with me when I go home is
to be true to yourself and those around you. Also another thing I will bring
back is to give respect to others and your others will return to you with
respect, always stay humble."
"One moment that I will never forget is the time I overcame
my greatest fear, heights. Our group did a high ropes course. It’s about 30
feet in the air! I was terrified because I had already tried to accomplish it
for the last two years, but everyone in my cabin cheered me on and gave me the
confidence to complete it."
"The two ideas that have resonated with me the most have
been ‘be childlike without being childish’ and self respect. The first has
shown me how to work with people and difficult situations instead of around
them. The second is one that I didn’t fully appreciate until this year. Camp is
my center, so coming here is like re-finding myself every year and re-learning
what I love about me and what I have to be proud of. Camp has given me a self
to respect and I’ll never be able to give enough thanks."
"20 years from now I will still remember being an LDI and
doing our five day kayak trip. It’s the longest I’ve been away from the indoors
and has opened my eyes to the outdoors. This experience will always be with me
because of our groups hardships and ability to overcome them."
"I have seen such a variety of people that I need to get
along with in order to make the week work out for everyone. I also like to
think of the three respects wherever I go. The six core values of respect,
responsibility, honesty faith and fun are all ideas that I would like to carry
with me."