Leadership Camp 2025: Where in the world?

Youth Board Executive Committee Community Engagement Ambassador Tania Thomas put together a summary video to share memories from both camps!

The Hands4Hope Education Team, along with the new Youth Board Executive Committee, hosted Where in the World is Hands4Hope? - Hands4Hope Leadership Camps for the elected leaders of Hands4Hope’s on-campus service-learning clubs, which span 10 high school and middle school campuses from El Dorado Hills to Placerville. A total of 17 high schoolers and 20 middle schoolers attended the “Carmen Sandiego meets Where’s Waldo”- inspired camp. 

Both camps offered a fresh and exciting way to educate both new and returning leaders in a wide variety of workshops, teambuilds, and icebreakers. They are now armed with the essential skills needed to run a club, command a room, and introduce others to Hands4Hope. 

High School Leadership Camp was held for three days and two nights during July, set in the mountains at Sierra Nevada Journeys Grizzly Creek Ranch in Plumas County. Leaders participated in thoughtfully planned workshops led by the Youth Board Executive Committee, while also kayaking and climbing the low and high ropes courses, facilitated by Sierra Nevada Journey staff. Even when sudden thunderstorms halted some ropes courses this year, the youth continued to bond together, getting to know leaders from different schools. 

Youth Board Executive Committee’s President, Lily Hinkle, stated it best: “As a camp participant for several years, I thought this year was exceptional! There was a great balance between learning and workshops and fun activities. I was able to interact and work with many new people and I was able to grow as a leader and a person through the skills, challenges and teamwork the leaders fostered and went through.”

Middle School Leadership Camp was held for three days at the Patra Corp Conference Center, a beautiful and spacious facility in the heart of El Dorado Hills. Youth leaders immersed themselves in workshops facilitated by the Youth Board Executive Committee. On the second day, Jill Parish, a facilitator from ThinkDev, did an amazing job helping leaders unlock their strengths and practice valuable communication skills. We are so grateful to Patra Corp and Jill Parish/ThinkDev for donating time, facilities, and expertise to make Middle School Leadership Camp such a valuable experience for the second year in a row!

Last but certainly not least, we want to extend a hearty THANK YOU to our amazing adult volunteers who provided and served lunch: Chris & Robyn Parker, Lynn Fedoryk, and Cathie Conforti.

The 2025-26 On-Campus Hands4Hope Club year is off to a fantastic start!