At Leadership Academy, we believe there is no greater joy than getting people outside to play!
With a shared love for nature, years of experience in the Camp community, and a passion for connecting people of all ages to the beauty of the natural world, our staff came together to make 2016 a summer of outdoor fun for everyone. Let’s take a closer look at the one-of-a-kind fun each of our programs had to offer our campers and staff.
At Camp Warner Park, we saw campers come together to learn about how to care for the environment, and the animals and plants that share our home.
We met the brave officers of the Mounted Patrol (and their amazing equine partners)!
We explored the creek and the Little Harpeth, meeting crayfish, tadpoles, and lots of other unique critters along the way.
We watched as our Teen Leadership Adventure Campers set an example for their younger friends by using teamwork to lead Camp games, and conquer group challenges together.
And of course, our Mountain Bike Campers used Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics [STEM] concepts to get the most out of their bikes, and to conquer even the toughest obstacles on the trail.
Camp Bells Bend and Beaman Parks was the destination for adventure this summer. We learned outdoor skills, and how to do awesome sports and games we’d never tried before like
- Building a Fire
- Pitching a Tent
- Fishing
- Gardening
- Archery
- Atlatl Hunting Techniques
. . . and more!
Trying new things is one of the many ways Camp helps us build skills for life like boldness, courage, and a willingness to explore. Learning how to face the unfamiliar in a fun, safe setting means we can be more confident when life throws new challenges our way at work, school. or wherever the adventure of life may take us!
But we weren’t content to only explore on land, so we took the fun to the water at Nashville Sail Camp!
In both one-day and week-long sessions, we learned US-Level-1 Sailing instruction from experts who were passionate about sharing their lifelong love of sailing with children and youth. Whether it was learning the parts of the sailboat, setting up the rigging and sails, safely navigating the boat on the water, or care and upkeep of the sailboats, we knew the ins and outs of having a great day on deck.
We took the same love for independence and hands-on learning to Sail Camp, and spent part of every day on shore and on the water. We saw first hand the value of teamwork, initiative, sportsmanship and focus as campers and staff sailed together at the beautiful Hamilton Creek Marina on Percy Priest Lake.
Though our Youth Programs may only run during the summer, we know that a love for play and outdoor exploration never has to end. Our next adventure? Bringing the fun of Camp to “Big Kids” all over the country with Grown Ups Camp! Whether you want to spend your days relaxing by the pool, making friendship bracelets, having private paddle boarding lessons, or finally conquering the zip-line, you’re invited to come along with us to choose your own adventure at one of our all-inclusive, throwback camp weekends for adults.
I don’t know about you, but we’re ready to spend our days exploring and our nights singing and dancing under the stars.
If there’s one thing this summer of amazing campers and staff has taught us, it’s that nurturing our inner child has never been more valuable or important for our energy, inspiration, and well-being. And no matter where life us, the outdoors will always be there to call us home.
Thank you to our campers, staff, and volunteers for being a part of our adventure this summer.
Where shall we go next, and who’s coming with us?
