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LT / OLT Program Description

 

Leadership Training & Outdoor Leadership Training (LT & OLT) - What It Is

The two Leadership Training programs are a year-round training program for boys and girls beginning at age 15 and culminating after three years of commitment.  The goals of the program are:
1.  To instill a commitment to YMCA core values and a service toward others.
2.  To develop leadership skills such as respect, responsibility, communication, and decision making, all in an outdoor setting, at Minikani and within the community.
3.  To create a well trained group of young adults committed to leadership and helping others.

 

    
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To pass the “Spirit of Minikani” to the next generation of leaders

  • Participants of the LT/OLT program are directly and at all times under the immediate supervision of a male and female director.  During the summer LT/OLT I&II’s live in Halquist Lodge with the Directors who are carefully chosen for their ability to work with teenagers.  All staff members support the progress and development of the T’s during their time at camp. T’s are also expected to work with their directors on helping to plan their OLT trip or LT service based trip.   
  • Each participant is evaluated throughout the Leadership Training Program.  Every participant in the program is evaluated throughout his or her summer camp session.  Two formal evaluations are given as well as constant feedback on strengths, weaknesses and how they have progressed. The formal evaluations are written and verbally given by the directors at the end of the session. The evaluation is confidential and they will receive a copy to help their growth in the program. 
  • The Leadership Programs require hard work & dedication.  There are required service hours that must be fulfilled to continue in the program. Some service opportunities are as follows: 1. Fall training weekend 2.Winter cookie house 3. Spring training weekend 4. Community service work 5. Spring meeting to plan trips or service opportunities.  6. Acclimate to new roles and situations at Minikani.  All training weekends and the summer sessions occur at Camp Minikani.  (Service hour sheets are located in the paperwork link at the top of the page.)
  • The Leadership Programs are challenging.  This program is unique in that it is highly rigorous both physically and in relation to the expectations for growth.  We expect those that are accepted into the program to perform at their highest ability.
  • The Leadership programs are a three-year commitment. When participants are entering their third year, the program holds them to the highest standard of leadership skills. There will be a fee for the year round preparation, but participants will get paid for the summer participation. Participants will choose what half (4 weeks) they would like to attend during the (8 week) summer. Before the summer starts participants are required, but also start getting paid to attend Staff training. Held the week before kids arrive, staff training is a week long session where participants learn new leadership styles and techniques. These skills will come in handy when they encounter though cabin dynamics. Participants also have the option of coming for the entire summer. When they have completed the 4 weeks with the cabin groups they have the option of taking on a new role as a kitchen, outpost, corral, lifeguard, or office three. Information on these positions will be handed out at Fall Weekend. During the four weeks, participants are in the Girls, Boys and Day units. They will receive an evaluation after each week on their performance. The directors will work with them on the areas they need to improve. After the evaluations are made and the summer has come to an end, counselors along with the directors, rank the III’s on how their leadership grew over the weeks at camp. Finally the Summer camp Director will take into consideration the rankings and recommend the candidates to go through the hireling process to become a Minikani Counselor. III positions are all paid positions that start on the first day of staff training.               

 

Community Service Project

We believe that part of being a leader means giving back to one’s community through volunteer service.  We also believe that volunteer experience is both a valuable and rewarding experience for young people and adults alike.
Depending on the T’s level they are required to participate in a number of hours helping the community or camp.  This community service must be completed before arriving at camp for the summer camp session. Hours can be turned into the directors upon arrival. 
Information about this program will be distributed at the Fall Leadership Training Weekend.  Begin thinking about what community service opportunities you might be interested in before the fall weekend.  Examples of community service that meet the requirements of the program are as follows (this is not an exhaustive list): Volunteering at a nursing home, food pantry or for a non-profit organization such as Habitat for Humanity, etc. You may create your own project, however all service work must be approved by camp for hour to count towards the summer.

 

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