New Brunswick youth gain valuable skills, make lasting friendships during annual Legion leadership camps

It's an opportunity of a lifetime for New Brunswick youth and an experience most of them say they'll never forget.
"People told me before I came here that it'll be the best time of your life and it really has been," said 17-year-old Amy Sheppard of Moncton last Friday.
Sheppard was one of 75 students from throughout the province to gather on Mount Allison University's campus last week for the annual Legion Youth Leadership Camp, a program that has been teaching high school students valuable skills for five decades. Sheppard said she was eager to apply for the camp this past spring after hearing stories from others who had participated in previous years.
"I had heard a lot of good things about it. . . and I thought it would be a great opportunity for me; a chance for me to get out of my comfort zone," she said.
The focus of the camp is to boost self-confidence in young people and to develop their leadership skills. To kick off the week, the instructors provide the campers with a basic lesson on the how-tos of planning and organizing an activity, and advise them on how to properly teach that lesson to their peers. Then, throughout the remainder of the week, the youths themselves take on the leadership roles during activities while the instructors are only there for guidance or support.
"We kind of show them the ropes on the first day and after that, it's essentially student-driven," said instructor Norm Russell. "We're here if needed but they're the ones leading the activities."
Each of the kids must teach a class at least twice during the camp; doing research, gathering information and getting up in front of their fellow campers to teach them various skills.
Not only do the participants teach classes, but they must also organize various evening activities, such as a co-ed volleyball tournament, a variety show or a dance.
Sheppard said the experience has taught her that she can take the initiative herself to organize activities in the future and to not be as self-conscious about speaking in front of a crowd
"And I learned that, no matter what I do, there will always be people who will be there to encourage me," she said, adding the best part of the week was the friendships she made during her stay in Sackville.
Heading into her senior year in high school, Sheppard believes she's gained some useful skills that she will take with her through to graduation.
"I think I'll probably get more involved with things that are going on at school."
Aaron Tabor of Sussex said he thinks the camp provides young people with more confidence at an age when teens need it most.
A self-professed shy guy, Tabor said the week at leadership camp has offered him a boost as he heads into Grade 12.
"This week has shown me that there are people out there who are interested in what I have to say," he said, noting public speaking was never before his forte.
"It really lets you be who you are. I'm not afraid now to just be who I am."
When he returns to his hometown, Tabor says he has plans to become more involved with school and with his community.
"This has really given me a lot more confidence and I think next year I'll probably participate more in school activities and be a better leader in my community."
The Legion camp features a large number of activities throughout the week, but puts most of its focus on athletics - a 50-year tradition which has been based on the principle that sports is a good medium in which to develop leadership skills.
From swimming to canoeing to soccer and orienteering, the week-long camp offers an array of activities to suit just about everyone's tastes.
Students selected for the camp are usually chosen by their high school principal, physical education teacher or guidance counselor. The recommended names are then sent to a local Legion branch for the final okay.
Although the selection process is not necessarily based on physical aspects, longtime camp director Gord Hopkins has said in the past the majority of student leaders in high school usually tend to be already involved in some type of sports or extra-curricular activities.
In its 50th year, the youth leadership camp -- sponsored by the provincial command of the Royal Canadian Legion -- marked its anniversary with a special reunion celebration on Sunday, July 19 at the local legion where past campers, leaders and volunteers came together to commemorate the occasion.