On July 23rd, Isothermal Community College hosted a one-day leadership camp for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in Polk County. This GEAR UP camp was organized by the Dean of Teaching and Learning Support Administration, Dr. Kelly Lovelace. Dr. Lovelace said she wanted to give rising middle school students a chance to get to know one another before leaving their feeder elementary schools and arriving at Polk County Middle School.
“I really wanted to give the students that were coming into middle school a jump start,” Kelly said. “Even for the 7th and 8th graders, I wanted to help their confidence, independence, communication, and problem solving skills.”
Students participated in several leadership, confidence, and team building exercises.
One activity, called “stepping stones,” had students pretend to cross an alligator-infested river on foam stepping stones. If someone fell off of their stepping stone, that stone was removed from the game. This activity encouraged students to work together to form a better path and support system, so that everyone could safely cross the river.
The most popular activity of the day was the skit Dr. Lovelace prepared for the students to perform. Students roleplayed that they were survivors of a plane crash, and needed to demonstrate leadership while also completing the role they were assigned in the skit.
“It was so much fun,” Kelly said. “The students got so into it.”
Students enjoyed this activity so much that they asked Dr. Lovelace if they could do another skit — this time one that they wrote and directed.
“They loved it so much they asked if they could do another skit,” Kelly said. “That wasn’t in my plans, but I’ll roll with it because they're taking initiative.”
This second skit was a modified retelling of the Cinderella story. Every student had a hand in creating the story, assigning roles, and making sure everyone was included.
“I had one student who was incredibly reserved, but she actually stepped up and wanted to be the main character in this story,” Kelly said. “Nobody felt left out.”
Another activity students participated in was the creation of leadership posters.
Students created word bubbles with the traits they believe good leaders hold, and worked with the ICC print shop manager to turn their word bubbles into leadership posters resembling political campaign posters.
“We printed them, and I’ll be taking them to the schools,” Kelly said. “I’m hoping they’ll hang them up in their classrooms."
This event was open to all middle school students, regardless of their academic performance. Kelly said that many of the current leadership events available to students are for either high schoolers, or students designated as academically or intellectually gifted.
“I like that this program was for anyone who wanted to participate and be part of it,” Kelly said. “There was no cost, so anyone who wanted to participate could. I like that egalitarianism.”
Isothermal Community College is one of 12 Appalachian GEAR UP higher education partners. To read more about our higher education partnerships, click here.
Polk County Students Participate in Leadership Camp at Isothermal CC
Polk County Students Participate in Leadership Camp at Isothermal CC