May 20, 2000
Leadership camp for high school students this summer at TU
By Cathy Willoughby
Staff Writer
A childhood experience that made a lasting impression has fueled the creation of just such an experience for high school students this summer.
Tiffin University is hosting a Summer Leadership Camp, for students entering grades 9 through 12, from July 9-14, hoping to take a part in "Developing Tommorrow's Leaders Today.'' This theme illustrates the hope of camp organizers, Cam Cruickshank, Head Football Coach and Russell Barefoot, Assistant Dean/Director of Student Involvement and Leadership Development, to create the opportunity for students to develop leadership skills, no matter what activity they choose to participate in.
Cruickshank said that he realized his football players needed help in the area of leadership skills last fall. So he organized a workshop for his team in the spring in leadership development. "We talked about integrity, interpersonal skills, trust and communication,'' Cruickshank said. "As we were composing the program for the spring, I was reminded of an experience I had as a high school student.''
He had attended a leadership camp, that had a curriculum that stressed leadership skills in numerous co-curricular activities, including student government and sports. "They had a lot of different options; I found it to be a wonderful experience,'' he said. "So I brought the idea to President Kidd and he thought it would be a good idea to form a committee.''
Both Barefoot and Cruickshank, as camp co-coordinators, hope to offer an option that is different from other summer camps, and fill a gap in experiences offered to high school students.
Students who register will have a choice of morning and afternoon co-curricular activities to choose from. Each session will begin with leadership development, followed by a planned activity, in both morning and afternoon sessions. Activities are to include baseball/softball, basketball, cheerleading, choir, flag football, ministry/bible study and student council/government. The camp will have both a day camp and overnight option.
Cruickshank said that they were hoping for registration of 100, although more can be accommodated. Students must have a GPA of 2.5 to be considered. Cost for the camp is $150 for the day camp, and $250 for the overnight camp if registration is received by June 1. Both fees increase by $25 after that deadline.
Scholarships for $100 will be available to the first 25 students who register. Barefoot said that additional scholarships may be available based on financial need; students are urged to contact either Barefoot or Cruickshank at 448-3407.
"Any student involved in his or her high school activities, church or community can develop and improve their leadership abilities here,'' Cruickshank said of the camp. "It's also a great way to build up a teen's self-confidence; sometimes what's lacking is self esteem. They need to believe in themselves.''
More than 100 flyers have been sent to TU contacts in Ohio and south eastern Michigan. Interested high school students or their parents should call either Barefoot at 448-3407 or Cruickshank at 448-3356 for registration or more information..