Friday, June 27, 2008
Camp Eagle develops future leaders
 “Leadership is action, not position.” This quote was imprinted on the back of this year’s Camp Eagle shirts, worn proudly by 38 incoming freshmen. The three-day retreat was held June 20-22 and provided students with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, examine personal values, and gain exposure to different leadership opportunities on campus. The campers learned about the history and traditions of the University and were taught the USI Fight Song. The camp was focused around the social change model of leadership, where campers were challenged to analyze themselves, improve their leadership of groups, and create positive change in their communities. The social change model was reflected in the different activities the group participated in throughout the camp. Campers participated in an activity called “Swamped.” In this simulated activity, each group worked to develop solutions once they had been stranded from others and "lost in the wilderness." The activity focused on working together as an effective team and the different roles individuals and groups assume when encountering problems. Campers also strengthened their teamwork skills through a low-ropes course. During the course, campers were challenged to work as a team in order to complete the different challenges throughout the course. The course was led by staff from the Recreation and Fitness Center. From assisting with the construction of a future Habitat home and visiting with the residents of Solarbron to walking pets at the Pet Adoption Center in Newburgh, each camper participated in a community service project. Through these projects campers gained a greater understanding of the impact of community service. Heather Pahl of Trafalgar, Indiana, was a camper who plans to major in biology. Pahl learned about the camp when she registered to live in Ruston Hall on the Emerging Leaders Living Learning Community floor for the fall semester. She said, “I loved everybody at the camp and enjoyed stepping outside of my comfort zone. It felt like we were a family. The camp definitely gave me some future goals like AMIGOS to get involved in.” The campers were guided by a group of eagle leaders, current USI students who are involved in campus life. Eagle leaders are responsible for the different groups of campers, referred to as “flocks.” Eagle leader Roneshia Clark of Madisonville, Kentucky, is a junior majoring in psychology. She has served as an eagle leader for two years. Clark said, “I enjoy serving as an eagle leader because I think the camp is very successful in making students aware of leadership in college and being a leader in college, which is very different than high school. Leading the flock meetings and getting to discuss issues that come up in college was interesting because these are situations students normally would not think of.” Campers also had the opportunity to meet representatives from the campus community at an involvement fair held during the camp. Representatives from departments and organizations were present to speak about different leadership opportunities within their organizations. Kegan Walker of Kokomo, Indiana, will be attending USI in the fall. He plans to major in sociology and study criminal justice. Walker said, “Camp Eagle gave me great insight as to the organizations on campus and I am looking forward to meeting more people in the fall.” David Duvall, assistant director of Student Development Programs, developed the idea of the camp, which began in 2006. Duvall said, “The idea was modeled after a camp at another university I worked for. We’ve done a nice job at emphasizing leadership development more and have infused more school spirit in the camp to improve retention.” The camp has multiple goals. Duvall said, “We want to introduce students to some of the challenges they will face as college students leaders, give them the skills to manage those challenges well, introduce them to current student leaders who they can learn from, and introduce them to opportunities at USI where they can put those skills to work.” The Office of Student Development Programs organizes the activities for Camp Eagle each year and hosts a variety of events and programs throughout the year to promote involvement opportunities on campus. For more information visit www.usi.edu/sdv or call 812/465-7167. Adam Trinkel USI News and Information Services Intern studentnis@usi.edu 812/465-7005 |
Copyright © 2013 University of Southern Indiana. All rights reserved.