LEAD
Leadership Empowerment & Development
A 2-week program focused on leadership opportunities for youth, fostering lasting growth.
Growing Up Today Looks Different
Change is tough, but Willowgrove’s Leadership Empowerment and Development (LEAD) program was created to provide a transitional launch pad for youth navigating change: growing up, aging out of regular camp programs, looking towards employment.
LEAD provides growth-focused leadership opportunities for today’s youth. Through fun team-building activities LEADers build confidence, learning to trust their own instincts, practising in-person communication, and providing a great balance of learning valuable life-skills and having fun at camp.
By taking on small - but important - camp responsibilities, LEADers complete essential roles within Willowgrove’s larger charitable work, learning the impact that small contributions can make within a community. After completing this program, LEADers will feel ready to take on more responsibilities and be motivated to enter the workforce.
Program Information
Program Pillars
Modern Mentorship:
Led by engaging young adults who are uniquely positioned to guide youth through today's challenges. Designed by a certified teacher, this program provides a safe space for youth to practice life skills and develop instincts before taking on their first job.
Belonging and Engagement
We combat increasing social isolation by giving youth an engaged community where they can play a vital part. Through their involvement, youth see the direct impact of their actions, fostering a sense of belonging and the reward of contributing to something greater than themselves.
Growth Resilience
If youth are to believe they can do hard things, they need safe space to fail. We empower them by providing a supportive community where they can take on responsibilities and learn from mistakes. Through learning sessions and roles around camp, LEADers build resilience by practicing perseverance and seeking peer support under patient supervision.
Program Details
For youth going into Grade 9 -10
Introducing LEAD Experience! NEW - 2 week learning + volunteering sessions
As youth grow and change we understand that we have to adapt our program to fit their needs. LEAD Experience is a new and updated program built on the foundations of the previous LEAD programs. This 2 week program will give campers the opportunity to participate in learning sessions, camp activities and volunteering within the camp community working with younger campers or organizing programs.
The first week of the program offers participants a blend of leadership training, team building activities and camp activities. Participants will work on leadership and communication skills, child development and behavior management, diversity and inclusion. Participants will also be certified in HIGH FIVE®’s Principles of Healthy Childhood Development. Many organizations and townships look for this certification when hiring young people.
The second week of the program, participants gain valuable work experience and refine what they have learned by being placed in a cabin group or program placement. Participants assist counsellors with caring for and making camp a memorable experience for our younger campers. Alternatively they can be placed with a program staff and assist in running programs like art or sports. (Program staff placements are limited).
Participants will earn 40 volunteer hours upon program completion
Participants must attend both weeks of the session to receive HIGH FIVE® certification and volunteer hours.
2026 LEAD Dates & Rates
Registration Process
1. Parents/guardians complete the online registration below.
Create an account or log in with your existing account
Select Willowgrove Day Camp 2026 season
Select the LEADer you are registering (and any other campers coming to camp)
Add the LEAD Experience session of interest to the cart
Complete the required parent/guardian forms
Pay deposit and submit registration!
Review and sign the LEAD Parent and Participant Expectations Sign Off form which you will receive through email
Return the signed form before the first day of camp
LEADActivities
Week 1 LEAD Activities
Icebreakers + Teambuilding: LEADers will participate in get to know you and bonding activities.
Leadership Training: LEADers will participate in interactive sessions on communication, leadership styles, conflict resolution and more.
Working with Children: Participants will learn about different stages of child development, behaviour management strategies and how to engage children in programming.
Goal Setting: LEADers will work on setting some short term and long term goals for themselves and their futures.
Diversity + Inclusion: LEADers will learn how to create an inclusive camp environment and what it’s like to work with campers with different needs and abilities.
Special Event Prep: LEADers will help set up for the special event and assist in running stations and supporting program staff as needed.
HIGH FIVE® Training: A 4 hour training session that ends in certification in Principles of Healthy Child Development, led by a HIGH FIVE® trainer.
Other activities: LEADers also get to participate in some camp favourites including Outdoor Cooking, Swimming, Gagaball and more!
Week 2 LEAD Activities
Placement Training: LEADers will go through a short training session reviewing expectations, emergency procedures and their role in supporting younger campers.
Cabin / Program Placement: LEADers will spend Mon - Thurs in their placement learning from our staff and engaging with campers. Staff will be checking in on LEADers throughout their placements to support them and answer any questions.
Special Event: LEADers will assist with running special events on Friday.
Self Evaluation and Feedback: Evaluating yourself and receiving feedback is one of the best ways to learn! LEADers will have an opportunity to evaluate themselves and receive productive feedback for staff.
“Not only is your camp tons of fun, but it is well organized and extremely well run. I also appreciate the kind and compassionate religious context of the camp.”