Experiential Leadership Institute

The Experiential Leadership Institute: Day Camp Program is designed for rising 11th-12th graders who are cognitively ready to be self-reflective, who are ready to accept responsibility for elementary-aged children, who want to make a difference in the lives of others in Christian service and who will benefit from gaining leadership experience before leaving home for college. Just as summer camp is guided by the understanding that faith can only be grown as it is practiced, ELI believes that leadership cannot be nurtured without the opportunity to lead. So after a week of leadership theory and skills training, each participant will serve one or more weeks as a Day Camp Counselor, putting newly acquired skills to practice in a dynamic ministry setting.





Fall 2012: Applying for ELI

     Apply for Summer Staff
  Apply For ELI
To reduce paper use and mailing costs, ELI uses the same online application form as Summer Staff.
Interview Events: Fall & Winter
Interviews for Experiential Leadership Institute applicants take place at our fall and winter interview events at four local churches. Each applicant will have a personal interview and will participate in team building activities. Your completed application is required to sign up for an interview location.  Attendees at the interview events will receive first consideration for participation in ELI.
  • Nov 17, 2012 @ Lawrenceville UMC from 8:30 to 3:30
  • Dec 8, 2012 @ Cascade UMC from 9:30 to 2:00
  • Jan 26, 2013 @ Madison First UMC from 8:30 to 3:30
  • Feb 23, 2013 @ Glisson from 2:00 to 4:00
  • More events TBA as needed
What if I cannot make it to an interview date?
If there is not an interview date listed that you are able to attend, contact Cecilia Hyers to request an interview.

Support from Local Pastor & Church
The ELI application process includes a Pastor Reference Form that:     
  • serves as a reference form...
  • communicates with your local pastor that you are involved in a leadership program with Glisson...   
  • gives your local pastor a chance to commit to support you with prayers and funds (in 2010, over 50% of participants had pastors commit funds toward their program fees)...
  • helps identify a leadership role for you in the church next fall...

     

Summer 2013: Learn & Lead

  ELP Leadership Training

Training takes on various forms, including team-building...
Part 1 - Leadership Development
In the ELI Training Week, participants will undergo a strengths analysis and personality profile, learning about themselves and gaining an understanding of others as well. They will spend time learning about servant leadership and how strong leadership is not only compatible with, but integral to, the Christian life. They will also learn theory of small group dynamics, practical small group leadership skills, and training specific to serving as a Day Camp Counselor later in the summer. 



Part 2 - Day Camp Ministry
 
  Day Camp brings the flavor of camp ministry to the local church. To learn more, visit the Day Camp page.
For the second part of the program, ELI participants transition from camper to Day Camp Counselor using the skills gained during their Training Week. Each Day Camp Counselor will choose one Day Camp in the month of June to serve as a volunteer counselor. The Day Camp will host elementary-aged campers from Monday through Friday, typically from 8:30am until 5:00pm. The Day Camp Counselors will stay in the host church with Day Camp ministry staff, cooking meals together and sleeping on the floor. Each night the team will debrief, drawing lessons from the day's experiences. This time of debriefing, along with the daily supervision of the Day Camp Ministry staff, helps Day Camp Counselors integrate the information shared during the Training Week with their practices in daily living and leadership.

    St. Paul UMC Day Camp visiting Glisson
   ELI participants put to practice new leadership skills as Day Camp Counselors for at least one Day Camp...
In Summer 2013, there will be 16 Day Camp locations at local churches across the North Georgia Conference. In addition to selecting from the June Day Camp locations for their week of practical experience, each Day Camp Counselor may choose from the limited weekly positions in the remainder of the summer to continue in service, ministry, and growth at no additional charge. That's right -- we'll feed, house, and mentor participants for additional summer weeks that fit into your family's schedule. This is an opportunity to build on the lessons learned in their first week at Day Camp that we believe will provide invaluable insight for their leadership development. What's more, the chance to make a difference in the life of a child is a life-changing experience in itself.


Fall 2013: Church Leadership Role

    ELP's in action...
   ELI spans from Fall '12 to Fall '13. Our goal is to develop leaders, then connect them with their local church.
When the pastor has completed the Pastor Reference Form, he/she has committed to support you through prayer and help guide you into a leadership role at your home church. They may also choose to support you with church funding.

During Fall 2013, participants are expected to fulfill a leadership role at your church to use some of the skills learned from ELI. Potential leadership opportunities might include:
  • serving as a leader within the youth group...
  • working with the children's ministry...
  • serving as a youth representative on church committees such as SPRC or a task force...
  • creating or helping lead an outreach program through the church...
Whatever role you choose, we ask that you work alongside the pastor. At the end of this role, we will ask the pastor to evaluate your participation.

When Is ELI?

Training Week: Training week is held at Glisson. ELI participants are required to attend one of the following options:
  • Option 1:  May 26-31
  • Option 2:  June 9-14
Day Camps Schedule: Day Camp Counselors will check in for their Day Camp week(s) at the site of the Day Camp on the Sunday afternoon before it begins. Applicants to the program may choose up to eight Day Camp weeks upon their acceptance into the program. There will be 16 Day Camps (two each week) throughout the North Georgia Conference in 2013. Areas served include but are not limited to: Metro Atlanta, Dalton, Cartersville, Augusta, LaGrange, and Athens. To view a schedule with churches and cities listed, follow this link: Day Camps.
  • Day Camps 1&2  ... June 2-7
  • Day Camps 3&4 ... June 9-14
  • Day Camps 5&6 ... June 16-21
  • Day Camps 7&8 ... June 23-28
  • Day Camps 9&10 ... June 30 July-5
  • Day Camps 11&12 ... July 7-12
  • Day Camps 13&14 ... July 14-19
  • Day Camps 15&16 ... July 21-26
To learn more about the Day Camp program, follow this link: Day Camps

How Much Is ELI?

Program Cost: $795
Cost includes Training Week and one week (min) to eight weeks (max) as a Day Camp Counselor. Each additional week as a Day Camp Counselor adds value to the overall experience without increasing the cost. For example: 
  • Training Week + 1 week as Day Camp Counselor = $795  (weekly value: $397.5)
  • Training Week + 2 weeks as Day Camp Counselor = $795  (weekly value: $265)
  • Training Week + 3 weeks as Day Camp Counselor = $795  (weekly value: $198.75)
Many past leadership program participants have received funding assistance from their home churches (50% in 2010). Camperships may also be available to help a youth participate in ELI who otherwise would not be able to. 

How to Apply & Register

Step 1: Submit Online Application
Step 2: Submit Pastor Reference Form
Step 3: RSVP to an Interview Event (see above)

After completing these steps, ELI candidates will be notified of their status. Rather than registering for Village or Outpost, accepted candidates will be prompted to register for the ELI Training Week (5/26 to 5/31 or 6/9 to 6/14) and submit standard registration info such as health forms. After being accepted and registering for Training Week, participants will be sent a response form regarding which Day Camp weeks they wish to serve during Summer 2013.

Check-In & Check-Out

Training Week:
  • Check-in: Sunday (5/26 or 6/9) at Glisson
  • Check-out: Friday (5/31 or 6/14) at Glisson
Day Camp Week(s):
  • Check-in: Sunday at Day Camp location
  • Check-out: Friday at Day Camp location
Parents are invited to attend the Day Camp Closing Celebration on Friday (details available at check-in). Participants must adhere to camp's no cell phone policy during their time in Training and their time at Day Camp.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the interview process or any part of the Experiential Leadership Institute, please email Cecilia Hyers, Day Camp Director, or call the front office at (706) 864-6181.
690 Camp Glisson Road, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533 - 706 864-6181 A Ministry of the North Georgia Conference, United Methodist Church