My Key Leader Experience

by Colleen Savoia (Battlefield High School, Haymarket, VA)

Service, leadership, growth, integrity, and respect are just a few of many values of being a Key Leader that were covered that one weekend that I will never forget. I showed up to a camp where I didn't really know anyone and didn't know what I was getting myself into. I was nervous, but excited to get the weekend started at the same time. Despite being nervous and not knowing anyone, I quickly became comfortable and made great friends.

When I first entered my cabin a student facilitator welcomed me with a huge smile right away. She was so nice and right then that set the tone for my weekend at Key Leader. I was nervous for dinner that night, but I was welcomed to sit at many tables and I met so many new people from all around the district. At the point I was very excited and could not wait to start the sessions and all the activities that were planned for us. When we split up into "neighborhoods," I was happy because I got to meet new people that I would be working with all weekend. Working with my neighborhood and from attending the late night sessions I learned a great deal about leadership so quickly. The notebooks they gave us were very helpful filled with numerous activities to help us realize what a leader really is and what they do.

An activity that was my favorite was the ropes/obstacle course. At one point in the course we had to get everyone over a tall wall with nothing but teamwork and each other. Everyone looked around at each other thinking that it would never happen, but we were all stunned when it did happen. We successfully completed the challenge they put in front of us. It was an amazing feeling.

Even though the ropes course was great the one thing I thought was the best about Key Leader weekend were the mailboxes. Everyone made a mailbox to be hung in the hallway and we were given a notepad to write whoever we wanted notes throughout the weekend. There was one rule though. You could not look at your mail till the car ride home. Peaking in my mailbox every so often throughout the weekend I was so excited to read them. Going home was bittersweet though because reading the thoughtful letters made me want to go back and do the weekend again. I immediately started to miss everyone and the camp. That is just how much I loved Key Leader.

I had the best experience at Key Leader and loved every moment of it. Being able to attend that event was so great and I wouldn't have changed it for the world. Being there that weekend also made me want to come back again as a student facilitator. I encourage all students to attend this weekend because you will come out as a leader. Just writing this makes me so excited for this year's Key Leader so I can learn more about being a leader and to meet more friends.

For more information about the Spring 2010 Key Leader weekend (April 23-25-2010 in Millersville, Maryland), please contact Capital District Key Leader Chair Nicole McDermott at CapitalKeyLeader@gmail.com or 703.917.8877. Registration will open sometime this month for the April Key Leader weekend. Search Capital District Key Leader on Facebook and become a fan! Visit www.youtube.com/CapitalKeyLeader and watch live student testimonials about the quality of the program.