Key Leader to team with YMCA World Camp

Close to 200 students, facilitators, and adult volunteers from all over the world will meet in Hawaii next month as part of a cultural exchange at YMCA World Camp.

Key Leader is working with YMCA Camp Erdman for the event, which will bring teens from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the South Pacific together for two weeks.

“The YMCA’s core values are in line with the Key Leader values,” says Erin Fischer, Key Leader program specialist.

“This is a great way for us to have a program that extends the Key Leader reach. We’re hoping to use this as a tool to see if this is logical as the next step.”

The students will stay in Hawaiian families’ homes for four days before heading to Camp Erdman for 10 days. Students will learn the Key Leader values while taking part in other camp-related activities, such as maneuvering a challenge course, swimming and kayaking, taking part in a cultural fair, off-campsite excursions, and performing service projects within the community.

“The most important thing is that the students are going to have such a voice for us as to what our next steps are going to be,” Erin says. “This event literally is serving the children of the world. We’re going to have 150-200 Key Leader graduates at the end of the two weeks, and we’re going to make connections globally. It will show we can truly bring this program to any community in any country—anywhere in the world.”

Key Leader graduates will help facilitate the event. Students must pay the complete cost of US$1,400 for the camp, plus airfare. Most students are fundraising to offset the cost, and Kiwanians can help these students in their fundraising efforts. To find out how you can help students pay for their Key Leader experience, contact Erin Fischer at 317-217-6268 or 800-KIWANIS, extension 268.