Leadership Programs

Circle R Ranch leadership programs are multi-week sessions designed to help youth develop leadership skills to become better prepared to successfully manage life’s challenges. Through core camp activities, leadership sessions, and other adventure, participants gain valuable life experience. This prepares them for a variety of employment opportunities, including working at Circle R Ranch. Specially trained Leadership Staff facilitate all activities and support participants as they personally develop as leaders. These programs are exceptional resume-building experiences and have proven to develop strong leaders for future generations!

The Leadership Adventure Program is about participants exploring what it means to be an exemplary leader by examining topics such as conflict resolution, inclusion, time management, and ethics. This is a time of self exploration as campers learn more about themselves and the leadership traits they possess. Participants also get to do all of the core camp activities. There is an overnight (on Ranch property) where LAP’s pair up and camp out together. LAP’s partake in a three-day backpacking trip to Stormhaven Campground on the Bruce Peninsula. Other high lights include sessions on different aspects of leadership, western horseback riding (trail rides and lessons), staff shadow days, and a group project. Participants will gain a greater understanding of their own leadership abilities, a stronger base of camp-related skills, and the satisfaction of having created lifelong friendships and memories.

The Leaders in Training program builds on the experiences and skills learned in the LAP and LEP program. It is strongly encouraged for LIT applicants to have experienced the LAP or LEP program but it is not necessary. This is a program that focuses on leadership skills such as behavioral management, communication, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, hard outdoor recreational skills, and more. The second and fourth week involve work term where participants spend their time directly with a camper group as a counselor in training. There are some options during the second work term to shadow a staff member who is not a counselor. They also get the opportunity to get their Bronze Medallion lifesaving course certification, further develop their horseback riding skills, visit another camp, and facilitate a day of activities for the entire camp community. All core camp activities are included and participants begin to learn how to lead these activities. LIT campers will be joining the Leadership Essential Program campers on a one-day adventure off property to the YMCA Challenge Course in Sarnia, ON to further develop leadership skills. They will get to experience high ropes course elements as well as ground level activities. By participating, LIT’s will deepen their skills as a leader and therefore be more prepared to face the challenges of life.

The Leadership Essentials Program is a shorter version of our Leadership Adventure Program in terms of program content. Leadership sessions will teach what it means to be a leader and help participants examine their own sets of skills. Topics include communication, perspective, responsibility, and more. LEP’s will be joining the Leaders in Training campers on a one-day adventure off property to the YMCA Challenge Course in Sarnia, ON to further develop leadership skills. They will get to experience high ropes course elements as well as ground level activities. Overall, this is a program where participants get the opportunity to look at themselves as leaders and learn how to expand their abilities to be successful in life.