It is hard to imagine a better leadership development opportunity than being tasked with hosting, entertaining and managing an 80-student group of extremely excited nine and ten-year-olds on their very first overnight camp experience… but that is exactly what the popular Gr. 10 Student Leadership Program took on this past fall.

Gr. 10 has traditionally provided an excellent window for students to pursue additional leadership development opportunities because, although students have matured since middle school, the demands of their academics are not yet comparable to those in Gr. 11 and 12. Not surprisingly, Collingwood’s Gr. 10 Student Leadership Program has become very popular. This year, dozens of students applied for the 14 available spots. Students are selected for the program based on their school involvement and leadership potential, and the process typically involves consultation with coaches and teachers to ensure they will be fully committed to the role.

The program’s goal is to foster leadership development among participating students by supporting Wentworth’s Gr. 4 and 5 students on their overnight stays at Camp Summit. For many students, the Gr. 4 school camp trip is their first night spent away from their parents. Gr. 10 student leaders play a key role in making this milestone memorable by providing encouragement, guidance, and connection throughout the camp experience. Leaders continue to develop and apply their skills through various initiatives throughout the school year, culminating in their participation in the Gr. 5 overnight camp.

Reflections from Gr. 10 student leaders indicate that many believe the program strengthens their confidence to assume larger leadership roles, deepens their sense of belonging at Collingwood, and provides them with a new purpose beyond their own self-interests. At this year’s camp, our faculty/house supervisors witnessed inspiring examples of personal growth and dedication among our Gr. 10 student leaders. Because, let it be said: if you can handle the responsibility of 80 screaming Gr. 4 students, you are ready for whatever comes your way next. 

At this year’s camp, our faculty leaders witnessed outstanding personal growth and dedication among this group. Their daily diary back to parents describes how the Grade 10 leaders stepped up to the plate in a big way.

Day 1

We wanted you to know that we arrived safely at Camp Summit.

Your children created goals for this camp that would break them out of their comfort zone and outside the norms of what basic goal setting might be. From there, we ventured into the creation of some "back pocket games". These are short, small, fun games that the leaders can do when transitioning from activity to activity with their campers and how they can bond with their cabins at night. 

This is where and when we noticed very quickly that there is one specific word to describe this crew...ENERGY!

We were challenged with the immediate task of figuring out how to harness this energy (amazing). We can confidently say, we would take this over anything else, any day of the week. The grade 4 campers are going to be in for a real treat. 

Another school is here with their 6s and 7s before our grade 4s arrive tomorrow. During free time your children did not stick to themselves and socialize, but instead jumped into field games with students from a school they did not know. That right there showed us quickly that their priorities are inline with the philosophies of our program. 

We are intrigued by this group. They are flush with personality and we are excited to see how they start their first full day in the morning. 

Task number 1: Get them to bed at a reasonable time.

Day 2

We have officially completed our first day at camp. 

The bonding amongst the group was quite strong last night. A group that may not always hang out in its entirety at school, finds its way to act as a collective, each member looking after the next. It's not uncommon for students that participate in this year-long program to come out of it with new friendships and last night is one of many examples as to why that is true. 

Usually we need to knock on the cabin doors of the student leaders to help them start the day, afterall, they are teens. However, that word that was used yesterday (ENERGY) apparently did not die out overnight. They were all up, dressed, teeth brushed and ready to start the day. We were still wiping the sleep from our eyes as they were skipping towards the dining hall before the breakfast bell even rang. 

The buses arrived filled with 80 screaming grade 4s. Before we had a chance to release the leaders, they bolted towards the bus with zero hesitation or instruction - we weren't even finished talking. By the time we caught up, we stopped, we stared and we smiled...

There your children were, hauling bags from underneath the bus and lining them up in an organized fashion. They were high-fiving grade 4s, spinning them around and asking names. The grade 4s were star struck and in that moment, each one of your children just became the coolest kids at camp. We saw hand holding, inclusiveness, organization, encouragement, tear wiping and piggy backs. 

That infamous "energy" that has been spoken of naturally became channelled and put to good use. They never stopped, they never took a break. Even at bedtime we could hear them initiating their back pocket games to calm the campers as they tried to get them to sleep. We doubt they will be up as quickly tomorrow, but then again, they shouldn't be. A good night's sleep is deserved and the real question that remains is - will the campers let them have it?

Day 3

Kids. Love. Camp. 

Last night was something different. After a full day of activities, campfire skits and free time, pure exhaustion leading to overtiredness hit all of the people involved at camp. Once the campers were out, they were out.

Each group of leaders offers something different with this program. There is always a word that manages to encapsulate who they are as individuals, but also who they are as a group. At first we were convinced it was going to be "energy" because it was so prominent in how they showed up. Now having had the pleasure of bonding with them and observing them on a different level has us feeling that a more appropriate word to describe them is "inclusive". 

At Collingwood we promote a style of leadership that we refer to as being a "selfless leader". This type of leader puts everyone before themselves as a way to guide, promote, and elevate the people around them. It couldn't be more clear to us that each one of your children have the makings of what it means to be this type of leader. They have talked the talk and walked the walk at each turn during their camp experience. It is imperative that you understand how special that is at their age.

The magic of camp and the leadership it can offer is something unique to what is available on campus. There are a few more leadership components to this program throughout the year before gearing up for grade 5 camp in April and we are really looking forward to spending more time with your children. They have made their mark and the fact that they will continue to grow makes us very excited to see where they will land.

This article is featured in the Winter 2026 edition of Bridge.