Summer leadership program sharpens youth skills

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  For many teens, summer months bring-on carefree days and study breaks. But for some, warmer days can mean getting involved in extracurricular activities and team building exercises.

Members of the Whiteman Teen Leadership Academy recently returned from a leadership conference in Cincinnati, July 11. There, 10 teenagers, ages 13-18, spent a week learning about leadership skills.

"This year's theme was 'Be Smart, Be Active, Be Giving' and the objective was for teens to experience a leadership conference with other Boys & Girls Clubs of America from the mid-west region," said Kimberly O'Brien, 509th Force Support Squadron teen coordinator of Whiteman Youth programs.

As part of the leadership conference, the students attended a pre-conference at the University of Central Missouri and listened to professional communicators and keynote speakers before departing for Ohio.

Upon arrival, the students were involved in a plethora of activities which kept them busy during their trip. The students also spent a majority of their week on a community service project for a non-profit organization.

"The teens had the opportunity to pick two sessions from a list of many workshop choices," said Mrs. O'Brien. "The engagement allowed the students to cultivate their education and broaden their horizons."

The students were able to choose the sessions they wanted to participate in which ranged from: Reserve Officer Training Course, sports in college, chat it up, choices, stop the violence, self-esteem for girls, racism, college admissions and manners.

In addition to the sessions were various speakers such as a county coroner, a comedian and a former police officer.

"The leadership conference helped students learn life skills in self-defense and self esteem, communication and social skills," Mrs. O'Brien said. "This whole experience was really beneficial for them."

Not only was the experience a valuable one, but the group was unique because they were the only group from a military base according to Mrs. O'Brien.

"Overall, the outcome of the trip was positive," she said. "Our teens were exposed to other teens that lived in the inner-city and they learned what it means to be a leader and how to give back to the community."

The leadership camp was funded by an Air Combat Command grant they received which minimized costs for teens.

For more information on teen programs contact the Youth Center at (660) 687-5586.