Youth Leadership 
Intro
Cradle Beach has a long-standing tradition of developing the skills of youth ages 14-16, called Pioneer Campers (PCs). Traditionally, PCs have a full program that includes work responsibilities, community service projects, and a specialized schedule of activities appropriate for the teen years.
Thanks to support from the John R. Oishei Foundation, Cradle Beach has expanded its traditional PC program to build leadership skills in youth year round. This program includes summer sessions and three leadership weekends for youth in the Fall and the Spring. For maximum impact, we encourage young people to take part in leadership weekends and summer sessions.
During the leadership weekends, 45 young people arrive on Friday evening and leave on Sunday afternoon. During that time, they work on vocational assessment, career development, and personal growth.
For vocational skills, youth use the Bridges Choices Explorer to explore careers on-line in our computer lab. This program provides students with vocational assessments, occupation profiles and career videos. It also connects young people with college and uiniversity programs. In addition, participants keep their own journals and portfolios using this program. Because Bridges is on-line, PCs can use it anytime--at home or on our campus, increasing the potential impact of this program.
In the area of career development, the Bridges Choices Planner helps youth to build a career plan, plotting the skills they will need for a successful career. They also learn interview techniques, resume development, and interpersonal skills. As with the Choices Explorer program, campers can access their plan anytime, anywhere on-line. They can also compare and share their plans with young people across the country, as well as their fellow PCs.
To achieve personal growth, youth participate in a variety of leadership, communication, and team building activities. Young people experience the challenges of our ropes course and the specific skills it takes to be a PC during the summer. Cradle Beach also teaches conflict resolution skills to decrease violence among youth, not only when they are here, but also when they are at home or school.
Participants help to shape the program by identifying topics in which they are interested and feel they need additional information. We have offered programs by request in areas such as:
- Disability Awareness
- Managing Finances
- Communication
- Decision Making
- Stress Relief
- Financial Aid
- Character Education
Youth leaders write individual goal plans to familiarize themselves with understanding and working toward personal goals. These plans are written and developed with the assistance of counselors, who also help participants to track their progress toward meeting their goals.
Hundreds of young people have completed the youth leadership program and have told us repeatedly that it has improved their lives. To request an application for the Pioneer Camper Leadership Program, please Michele Tripi at mtripi@cradlebeach.org or (716) 549-6307, ext. 208.
2008 Pioneer Camper Leadership Program Dates
February 8th - February 10th
March 7th - March 9th
March 28th - March 30th
