Overview of SLC

We are very happy that you have chosen to attend Summer Leadership Camp! We will do everything we can to make your experience positive for you and your students. Below is a summary of some important information that may help you learn more about the week of camp. Keep in mind that a key to successfully planning a Summer Camp is using the Checklist and other information on the CD or Web site. Feel free to contact the office if you have any questions.

Overview of Summer Camp

Summer Leadership Camp is a weeklong camp for FFA and FCCLA students from all over Georgia. FFA and FCCLA advisors bring and chaperone students from their chapter. The Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center provides lodging, meals, recreation, and programs utilizing a full time staff and college summer staff. The purpose of Summer Camp is to provide a fun and exciting environment for students to develop leadership and learn teamwork.

Who can come to camp

• Any dues-paid member of your chapter who you believe will be a good representative of your chapter and school.
• Advisors of FFA and FCCLA chapters.
  
• Any other adult chaperones needed. (1 chaperone per 10 students)
  
• Graduated senior FFA or FCCLA members who graduated in the current year may attend. Anyone who graduated high school before the current year may not participate as a member.
  

Time Frame

Check-In begins Monday morning (see the schedule for details). The first meal provided is Monday lunch. There are no activities on Friday. The last meal is Friday breakfast, so chapters may check out at immediately following breakfast.

Registration

Registration for camp is a three-step process:

1. Registration - Send in the Registration Form and deposit to secure your space at camp. Make sure you send it early, because some weeks will fill up before the early registration deadline. Registration is first-come first-serve.
   
2. Final Registration Roster - Send in the Roster, which includes names and more detailed information.
   
3. Check-In at camp - Upon arrival at camp, advisors will check in at Mobley Hall.

For more details on registration (including prices, deadlines, and deposit policy) see the Registration Information under Forms and Information on the CD.

Release Forms

All students are required to have the Parental Consent / Medical Information Form and the Student Code of Conduct at check-in or they will not be allowed to stay at camp.

Camp Policies

There are Camp Policies and a Dress Code that advisors and students are expected to know and follow. In addition, there is a Student Code of Conduct that students must sign as a part of registration. Please take time to familiarize yourself with these policies and communicate them extensively with your students. Failure to follow camp policies may result in enforcement of the Camper Dismissal Policy. We ask that you bring students that will well represent your chapter, not students that are behavior problems at school. Advisors are ultimately responsible for the behavior of their students.

Advisor Responsibilities

Advisors are the most important part of making the week great for the students. The attitude and involvement that the advisor accepts determine how successful the week will be. There are duties such as security that will be assigned at camp. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the Advisor Responsibilities in the Forms and Information.

Camp Staff

The Center has both full time staff and summer staff that work to make the week successful. The summer staff is made up of around 25 college students, many of which are former campers. The Summer Staff operate recreational areas and the assemblies.

Meals

The Center has a dining hall and kitchen staff that provides all the meals. The meals are good quality and geared towards the students. Please be sure your students are on time for each meal and ensure that they clean their eating area when done. Eating meals is an important part of keeping the students healthy and hydrated during the hot summer days!

Cabins

The cabins at camp are barrack-style bunk cabins. The cabins are air-conditioned, and bathrooms are in the cabin. The cabins have a room and bathroom for advisors that is separated from the students. The cabins are old and will be crowded during camp. The camp includes Cabin Checks, in which campers are scored on how clean their cabin is.

Recreation

There are many open recreation opportunities available, including canoes, paddleboats, volleyball, tennis, horseshoes, ping pong, fishing (bring your own equipment), horseback riding, crafts (kits do require a small fee), swimming, miniature golf, and basketball.

First day of camp

Following is a summary of the major parts of the first day of camp.

• Check-In will be in Mobley Auditorium. We ask that students stay outside during check-in. You will turn in forms and make final payment. You will receive t-shirts, wristbands, and cabin assignments.
  
• The Advisor Meeting is usually held in Georgia Power. At the meeting you will receive an advisor packet containing information such as schedule, policies, team of the week info, and individual competition sign-ups.
  
• Student Orientation is when the students will be given a brief overview of what to expect for the week. They will receive schedules, and our staff will communicate the camp policies with them.
  
• After Orientation, teams are dismissed to designated areas for Team Time. During Team Time, our summer staff will lead the students in a few initiatives to get them to begin working as a team. We will also take team pictures during this time, so students will be told to wear their camp shirts. This is also the time that advisors for the team should pick Team Captains.

Typical Day of Camp

Following is a summary of the major parts of a typical day of camp.

• Mornings: Most mornings there is a short flag-raising ceremony just before breakfast. After breakfast we have a brief morning assembly with announcements. Following the assembly, there are volleyball and softball competitions. There are also some recreation areas open during this time.
  
• Afternoons: After lunch is a busy time at camp! All of the recreation areas are open for campers to enjoy. There are also some competitions held during the afternoon.
  
• Evenings: After supper we have the main assemblies. Assemblies have skits and games conducted by the summer staff, as well as talent shows for students. Advisors are often asked to participate in games and activities because students love to see their teacher on stage. After assemblies there is a dance in Mobley Hall. During the dance, students can also enjoy the recreation areas at Mobley. They will not be allowed to return to cabins without an adult. Advisors will be assigned duty stations during the dance, and adults are needed in the dance to prevent inappropriate dancing. After the dance we hold Reflections, which is a final wrap-up of the day. The staff will provide a brief program and will release students to the cabins.

Team of the Week

One of the tools that the camp uses to involve and excite the students is the Team of the Week. Typically a cabin is a team. There are competitions held throughout the week that help teams earn points. This includes team events and individual events. At the end of the week, the team with the most points earns the title Team of the Week. This is a major part of the week, so take a little time reading the Team of the Week Information.

Obstacle Course

One of the popular events of Summer Camp is the Obstacle Course. Held on the last night of camp, some of the students represent their team in a messy and fun set of challenges. Make sure your students bring some old clothes for this event!

Advisor dinner

On one evening of camp, we offer a special dinner for all advisors. The dinner is typically a steak meal held in the Terrace Room. This is a time for us to tell you "thank you" for all that you do to make Summer Camp successful.

Spirit Bucks

Spirit Bucks are a motivation tool that we use to reinforce positive behavior in students. Staff and advisors will have "bucks" to give students whenever they witness good behavior, such as helping other students, picking up trash, or demonstrating excellent sportsmanship. When a student gets 10 bucks, they can exchange them for a raffle ticket. On the last night of camp we have a drawing for a grand prize and other door prizes brought by chapters. We ask that all chapters bring a door prize of $10 value.

Leadership Opportunities for students

The competition and recreation opportunities are a great part of camp, but they are the tools that we use to attract the students. The real purpose of Summer Leadership Camp is to develop the character of young men and women. We want all students to have opportunities to be a part of a team, participate, have new experiences, and have opportunities for leadership.

• Ropes Course - We use low and high ropes course to give students a great experience working with their peers and stepping out of their comfort zones.
• Team Captains - On Monday, advisors will choose Team Captains. The Captains will have a variety of responsibilities, but most important is serving as a leader for their team.
  
• Outstanding Team Members - At the end of the week, each team will select one person to be recognized as the Outstanding Team Member of the week. This is a great way to recognize those students who help others have a better camp experience.

Emergency Information

The camp has a nurse on site during the week to treat basic injuries and illnesses during the week. The nurse is usually stationed in the Infirmary, but can be reached by radio by staff members. The camp registration fee includes a small insurance policy that covers visits to the doctor or emergency room if needed. Please read the Safety Procedures in the Forms and Information..

There you have it - a general overview of SLC! There is much more to learn, and we are here to help answer your questions. Just contact me if you have any other questions.

Russel Towns
Phone: 770-786-6926 Ext 1
Email: GaFFACamp@GaAgEd.org