Forging Intentional Leaders
It was a quiet night on Monday as campers settled into their bunks after the “lights out” bell, and the bullfrogs softly croaked around the banks of the lake. Most of the campers were in their beds, worn out from a big first day - except for the oldest boys in camp. They were quietly preparing to welcome the new generation of the FLINT program into their brotherhood.
At the campfire area, a fire was crackling as the STEEL and DASH groups gathered. FLINT, STEEL, and DASH are the three groups of our oldest boys, each in a different stage of their leadership journey. DASH is the oldest of the three, in the “dash” between camper and counselor years. They’re heading to college after the summer, and work in the kitchen during this year before returning as cabin and activity counselors. Our Men of STEEL are a year younger, and are a select group that has gone through an application process, similar to applying for a job at camp. S.T.E.E.L. stands for Summer Training Encouraging Emerging Leaders. After proving that they live by our Falling Creek Code during their years as campers, they’ve been invited back for a final summer, learning what it means to become a counselor, and assisting in cabins and activities.
FLINT is for our second oldest campers, and stands for “Forging Leaders INTentionally.” Though they are fully campers, there is an emphasis on building leadership skills this summer that will help them in all areas of life. This year they become “master campers”, and if they are invited to return next summer as Men of STEEL, they’ll be our counselors in training. During the first night of camp, the STEEL and DASH guys had an induction ceremony planned to recognize this group, and challenged them to be their best over the next four weeks.
At the lights out bell, the FLINT campers were led down to Bain Bridge by their counselors, and met by Yates before crossing into the campfire area. He asked them a series of questions before they proceeded in silence, walking past the candlelit faces of their STEEL and DASH peers. The induction ceremony itself was short but powerful, as the young men pledged to do their best to live by the Falling Creek Code. The STEEL and DASH members and leaders are there to support the FLINT campers, explaining the benefits of the program and encouraging them that they have what it takes to be great leaders in the camp community.
Throughout the session, these FLINT campers will have leadership opportunities, such as helping with nightly milk and cookies, organizing special events like all-camp-games and 4th of July, and tending the campfire on Sunday nights. Their FLINT leaders evaluate them periodically throughout the session, monitoring their leadership development and helping them grow. They have group and individual discussions about having compassion and service for others, self identity, and how their choices today are impacting their future. There is also a special FLINT day trip during the session, which has traditionally been a challenging hike up to the top of Looking Glass rock. This trip often leaves the young men feeling tired but accomplished, having completed the demanding and steep route up the mountain together.
One of our current counselors, Harrison Little, has been part of all three FLINT, STEEL, and DASH programs. “We did a special FLINT overnight trip where we went on a mountain bike ride in the morning to Dupont, and then we went on a hike to the top of Looking Glass rock where we sat up there, at dinner, and watched the sunset. Our STEEL overnight was a solo trip in the woods where we went to the camp shelters and spent the night alone.” Harrison recalled. He said that he really enjoyed those years. There was plenty of time to reflect, and to grow individual and group leadership skills.
We have an outstanding group of young men in our FLINT program this summer, and we know they’ll gain some great knowledge from the STEEL and DASH groups as well. It’s sure to be a session full of growth and memorable experiences!