Leadership Camp 2026: Stars and Stripes
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While many students were taking a break from school, nearly 50 Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference participants invested part of their summer in becoming stronger leaders and preparing to make a difference in their communities.
During three-day Middle and High School Leadership Camps, participants practiced the skills they will use to lead Hands4Hope Clubs and After-School Committees throughout the coming school year. Through interactive workshops, mock meetings, team challenges and plenty of fun, they strengthened their communication, goal-setting, teamwork and facilitation skills. The camp theme was "Stars and Stripes", and participants donned U.S.A.-theme attire and made red, white, and blue tie dye in conjunction with America's 250th.
They also learned how to guide their peers through Hands4Hope’s unique five-stage service-learning process of Investigation, Planning and Preparation, Action, Reflection, and Demonstration. This process empowers young people to identify real community needs and develop meaningful projects in response.
Experienced youth leaders appointed to the Hands4Hope Youth Board Executive Committee helped facilitate the camps alongside Education Program staff, giving camp participants the opportunity to learn directly from their peers.
“I had the pleasure of helping lead both the Middle and High School camps for my second summer,” shared Adi Laufer, Hands4Hope Youth Board Public Relations Coordinator, and a junior at Folsom High School. “Although I am the one ‘teaching’ others, I am learning so much along the way. I get to see quieter leaders step outside their comfort zones, find their voices and truly shine. Helping my peers feel connected and prepared to turn their ideas
into a difference in their communities is truly magical.”
By the end of camp, participants reported feeling prepared to lead their own meetings and confident in their ability to welcome and inspire their peers, investigate community needs, turn ideas into action, and lead service projects that will make a lasting difference.
High School Leadership Camp
High School Leadership Camp was held for three days and two nights during mid-July, set in the mountains at Sierra Nevada Journeys Grizzly Creek Ranch in Plumas County. Club leaders came from high schools spanning the county, from El Dorado Hills to South Lake Tahoe. Many had not met or worked together before. They participated in thoughtfully planned workshops led by the Youth Board Executive Committee, while also kayaking and climbing the low and high ropes courses, a night hike, and more outdoor recreation facilitated by Sierra Nevada Journey staff.
Middle School Leadership Camp
Middle School Leadership Camp is a day-only camp, held over three days at the Placerville Gathering Place. Youth leaders immersed themselves in workshops facilitated by the Youth Board Executive Committee. On the last 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 Jill Parish/ThinkDev for donating time and expertise to make Middle School Leadership Camp such a valuable experience for the third year in a row!
One highlight was welcoming a new South Tahoe Middle School participant, who showed his dedication by making the trek back and forth over the mountain each day for camp.
We also want to extend a hearty THANK YOU to our amazing adult volunteers who provided and served lunch: Robyn Parker, Lynn Fedoryk, and Cathie Conforti.
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