Downeast Teen Leadership

Leadership training for 7th - 9th grades. Downeast Teen Leadership (DETL) is a five-day residential camp for students entering grades 7, 8, or 9 in Washington County. DETLC creates a safe environment in which students learn from each other through student led workshops such as “How to Raise Your Parents” and “Teens and Dating”. Motivational speakers that come from all over the country begin each day of camp. Contact Terri Woodruff @ 733-1090 ext 3176 or email twoodruff@rmcl.org or Contact us for details COST $100.00 DATES: 7/28/08 to 8/01/08

DownEast Teen Leadership Camp is an annual five-day residential camp held at a rural lakeside camp in Washington County, Maine during the first week of August. The goal is to promote non use of alcohol, tobacco or other illegal drugs by Washington County adolescents during their Middle and High School year, develop and/or encourage positive attitudes toward non-use, and encourage association with non-using peers. Founded on the belief that adolescents can make positive decisions regarding their lives; DETLC provides students entering grades 7, 8, or 9 in Washington County, with an opportunity to develop skills and attitudes that will prevent adolescent involvement with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. DETLC creates a safe environment in which students learn from each other through student led workshops and motivational speakers that come from all over the country.

While at DETLC, everyone has a family group. There are several family groups depending upon how many teens are enrolled in the camp. Groups meet three to four times each day for specially planned activities, games, preparations for the “No-Talent Night”, and just to hang out and get acquainted.

One of the most important aspects of the DETLC experience is the team-building groups. Teens meet once a day with a group of other students and staff members to complete fun, interactive games like bull ring, stepping stones, or others. After the group has completed the task they process the experience to discuss what worked, what didn’t, and what they should do next time and how it relates to their every day lives, as adolescents growing up in Washington County.

The workshops at DETLC are an awesome way to learn and share ideas. Presenters of these workshops may be current or former staff members, former participants, or adults from the community. Some workshops in previous years have been, “How to Raise Your Parents”, “Teens and Dating”, and “Dare to Be Different”. Twelve different workshops are offered during the week.

When former participants are asked about their favorite part of the camp, they invariably say, “the speakers”. DETLC brings in some of the most outstanding motivational speakers in the country. The speakers are the first group activity of the day, and they set the tone for the rest of the day’s activities. Two memorable speakers this year were, Harriet Turk, who uses her experience and knowledge as a former probation officer, youth programs coordinator and national traffic safety consultant to deliver a presentation that challenges participants to live a character driven, healthy lifestyle. The other was Ed Gerety, who does what he teaches others to do; live and lead a life with gratitude, respect, kindness, and a belief in yourself and one another.

After the camp is over, students are able to stay involved with DETLC in several ways: by serving on the Advisory Board, or one of four committees that help plan the camp and reunion for the following year, by serving as staff or preparing a workshop presentation for the following year’s camp, or by attending quarterly activities.