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Leadership Camp Games

Camp is a classic Summer rite for children. Although camp is certainly fun for young people, it can also be a valuable step on the path to adulthood. Being away from the routines and expectations of home gives children a chance to examine themselves, change things that they do not like and discover hidden talents such as leadership qualities. However, they may have too much fun to notice all of the self-improvement taking place.

Obstacle Course
- Set up a course on a surface such as a basketball court, and place traffic cones randomly around the course. Divide the group into pairs and have one member of each pair wear a blindfold. The person wearing a blindfold must walk through the course without touching any of the traffic cones, and without talking. The other team member can talk, but cannot physically guide the blindfolded member. After the first person navigates the course, the two switch roles. Groups start with two points for each cone and lose a point each time a member touches a cone. As a variation, you can further encourage strong leadership and increase a player&'s reliance on their teammate by calling the obstacles "mines" and disqualifying a player who touches even a single one.
Talent Show
- The key in using a talent show to encourage leadership skills is in having the campers organize every aspect of it themselves. Break them up into groups and let them decide the talent, music, props and costumes. Involving children in decisions and placing each one "in charge" or something promotes leadership skills. You do not need to make every camper perform. Let them focus on what they are most comfortable with, such as decorations, stage setup or judging criteria.
Quilt of Leaders
- This project is most appropriate for young groups. Provide a one-foot square section of fabric for each camper, along with a generous supply of fabric markers, paint and other decorations. Each camper should write a short a short positive message explaining why they are a good leader—or draw a picture showing herself in a leadership role—on their square. Once all of the squares are complete, have the group collaborate on sewing the squares into a Quilt of Leaders.
Rope Knot
- Split the campers into groups of about four to six people each, and give them a jump rope that is several feet long. Space the campers evenly, and have each hold on to the jump rope with one hand. Without letting go of the rope, the campers must tie it into a knot or bow. After several minutes of chaos, the campers will begin to realize that this complicated task can be completed easily with leadership and compromise.

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