What is Junior Leadership Camp?

Junior Leadership Camp (JLC) is a two day camp program (Friday evening to Sunday morning) run by counselors, San Diego County 15-19 year old senior 4-H members, and is open to all members ages 11-14 to participate. JLC has been an annual event for more than fifty years and has been a great success. Our camp counselors plan the entire camp from top to bottom including the games, skits, and other fun activities. Adult volunteers mentor our teen counselors before, during, and after this event. (Our youth to adult ratio was five to one for the 2019 JLC)

What are Some of the Activities that Members Participate in Each Year?

Activities are planned by our teen members so they may vary greatly from year to year. At the 2019 JLC, members practiced leadership skills in so many ways, including games like Capture the Flag and Shave a Balloon (using a plastic butter knife), making up skits about good and bad leadership skills and solving problems, having a fashion show using household items, and the usual hiking, scavenger hunts, making paracord bracelets, and campfire songs by the fire you expect at camp. 

Junior Leadership Chaperones

Chaperones for JLC must be certified adult volunteers, 25 years of age or older. Clubs must provide at least one chaperone for every five participants and counselors from their club. Chaperones are trained ahead of time, they participate in all the different activities with the campers, and watch over participants during the duration of camp. Parents or guardians may become certified volunteers solely to chaperone for JLC.

What have participants said about their experiences at JLC?

"It was my first year and I loved it! I loved the session where we had to shave a balloon as a team but not talk. It was really messy and a ton of fun. I also really liked the hike and the relay race. I made so many new friends in different clubs. Before we even left, I asked my mom if I can come back next year!" - SV, 11

"At JLC I really enjoyed the game, capture the flag, and got to hang out with my friends doing it. I also liked doing some of the sessions, where you had to work as a team to accomplish a goal. I also learned some new leadership skills. Thank you to San Diego 4-H to allow us to have a great experience." - WP, 13

"I had a blast! Camp was so cool and I had fun at the different sessions. When we shaved the balloon, my group got shaving cream all over when our balloon popped! It was hilarious. I liked designing our group flag and working as a team to come up with our song. I also met so many new friends from all over. I want to go again next year!" - SM, 11

What did our Camp Counselors (Senior 4-Hers) think of their experiences at camp?

"My favorite part was being able to teach kids and the shaving cream session I helped run." - HA, 17

"The part I liked most about JLC was seeing people react to different sessions." - HA, 15

"My favorite part of camp this year was capture the flag and the shaving cream experience." - JP, 16

What is the food like at Camp?
Can they accommodate dietary needs?

Dinner is provided on Friday evening, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are provided on Saturday (along with a snack), and Breakfast is provided on Sunday. JLC can and will accommodate dietary needs and there were many options available at the 2019 Junior Leadership Camp. Water is out at the tables at every meal.