Overview of Summer Leadership Camp for Advisors

We are very happy that you have chosen to attend Summer Leadership Camp! We will do everything we can to make your experience positive for you and your students. Below is a summary of some important information that may help you learn more about the week of camp. Keep in mind that a key to successfully planning a Summer Camp is using the Checklist and other information in the Advisor Guide. Feel free to contact the office if you have any questions.

What is Summer Leadership Camp?

Summer Leadership Camp is a week-long camp for FFA and FCCLA students from all over Georgia. FFA and FCCLA advisors bring and chaperone students from their chapter. The Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center provides lodging, meals, recreation, and programs. Summer Camp provides a fun and exciting environment for students to learn teamwork and develop leadership.

Why are we here?

The most important question to ask is "why are we here?" The camp exists for one true purpose - to invest in and develop character in young men and women. We have all types of competitions, games, and activities, but these are only the attractions that help us reach our goal. To effectively impact the students, both our staff and you as the advisor need to see this as the primary goal of Summer Leadership Camp. We want to see lives changed!

Who can come to camp?

• Members: Any dues-paid member of your FFA or FCCLA Chapter who you believe will be a good representative of your chapter and school. All students must attend with their chapter - no individual registrations are accepted.
  
• Advisors of FFA and FCCLA chapters.
  
• Adult Chaperones: Advisors are responsible for ensuring 1 adult per 10 students. Registration is free for one non-advisor adult chaperone (such as a parent) that is needed to supervise a gender of students if there is not an advisor for both genders. The chaperone must stay in the cabin with students. If you do not have enough chaperones, contact another advisor before camp to make arrangements. Inform the camp of any arrangements at least one week prior to camp.
  
• Graduated Seniors: Graduated senior FFA or FCCLA members who graduated in the current year may attend as members. Anyone who graduated high school before the current year may NOT participate as a member.
  
• Advisor Children: Children of advisors may attend. They may receive a reduced rate only if they are not FFA or FCCLA members. If they are not members, they may not compete during the week. Check with you school system to ensure that there are no additional restrictions on bringing your child to camp.
  

How do I register for camp?

1. Complete the Registration Form online - Complete this step and send the deposit before the Early Registration Deadline to qualify for early registration price. Note that weeks may fill before the deadline, so if you can only attend a certain week, register earlier. Registration is first-come first-serve.
   
2. Send your Deposit check - Deposit must be received within two weeks of completing the online Registration Form in order to reserve your space. We also must have your deposit by the Early Registration Deadline in order to qualify for the reduced price. Deposit required is $35 per student. No deposit required for advisors or children of advisors. Balance for students will be the above price less $35 deposit. See Deposit Policy for details.
   
3. Make changes as necessary through the online system - You may increase or decrease your numbers. Note that if you decrease your numbers after the early registration deadline, you forfeit those deposits. If you increase after the early registration deadline, those campers will pay the higher rate.
   
4. Complete the Final Registration Roster online - Complete this step by Wednesday at 2:00 PM on the week prior to your week of camp.
   
5. Check In at Camp - Check-in will be held in Mobley Hall. Students are asked to remain outside during check-in. You will need to have the following items at check-in:
   • Accurate Final Registration Roster
     
   • Full payment
     
   • All Parental Consent Forms, Medical Forms, and Code of Conduct Forms. No camper will be allowed to stay at camp without these. Make a copy of these for to keep during the week and for travel back home.
     
   • Door Prize (optional). We ask that chapters bring a door prize of $10 value.
   • REV IT UP funds (optional)

For more details on registration (including prices, deadlines, and deposit policy) see the Advisor Guide.

How do I plan for camp?

Start with the Planning Checklist, and then read all the information in the Advisor Guide. We have tried to provide you with all the resources you need.

What is included in the registration fee?

The cost includes all meals, lodging, programs, and a t-shirt. There are a few things at camp that cost extra, such as snacks from the canteen, craft kits in the craftshop, and ammunition at the shooting range. SLC is one of the least expensive camps in the country, but we know that it's still tough to pay for camp. We encourage you to plan fundraisers and ask for scholarships from your community to help pay for camp. There is a sample scholarship letter under the Advisor Information section of the Advisor Guide.

What are my responsibilities as an advisor?

Advisors are the most important part of making the week great for the students. The attitude and involvement that the advisor accepts determine how successful the week will be. There are duties, such as security stations, that will be assigned at camp, but there are many responsibilities that are expected. Please read the Advisor Responsibilities sheet that is in the Advisor Information section of the Advisor Guide.

What are the Camp Rules?

Because this is a Leadership Camp, and it is a school event, we have strict rules for campers during their week of camp. It is critical that the students and advisors are aware of these rules before camp, and that they understand the consequences of not following the rules. We encourage advisors to bring students who they feel will be good representatives of their chapter and the program. Please be familiar with the Camp Policies and Dress Code.

What is the schedule like?

The camp runs Monday morning through Friday morning. The days are packed! You and your students will be very busy! See the tentative schedule under Advisor Information.
Here is an overview of Monday: (Schedule is subject to change!)

• Check-In will be in Mobley Auditorium. We ask that students stay outside during check-in. You will turn in forms and make final payment. You will receive t-shirts, wristbands, and cabin assignments. Arrive as early as possible so that you have time to settle into the cabin before lunch.
  
• Lunch will be served in Sheffer Hall.
  
• After lunch is an Advisor Meeting (usually held in Georgia Power.) At the meeting you will receive information regarding the schedule, policies, and changes for the week.
  
• Student Orientation is when the students will be given a brief overview of what to expect for the week. They will receive schedules, and our staff will communicate the camp policies with them.
  
• After Orientation, teams are dismissed to designated areas for Team Time. During Team Time, our summer staff will lead the students in a few initiatives to get them to begin working as a team. We will also take team pictures during this time, so students will be told to wear their camp shirts. This is also the time that advisors for the team should pick Team Captains.
  
• After supper there will be some type of assembly or activity.

A typical day of camp (Tuesday - Thursday)

• Mornings: Most mornings there is a short flag-raising ceremony just before breakfast. After breakfast we have a brief morning assembly with announcements. Following the assembly, there are volleyball and softball competitions. There are also some recreation areas open during this time.
  
• Afternoons: After lunch is a busy time at camp! All of the recreation areas are open for campers to enjoy. There are also some other events held during the afternoon, including shooting sports, swim meet, boat race, and obstacle course.
  
• Evenings: After supper we have the main assemblies. Assemblies have skits and games conducted by the summer staff, as well as talent shows for students. Advisors are often asked to participate in games and activities because students love to see their teacher on stage. After assemblies there is a dance in Mobley Hall. During the dance, students can also enjoy the recreation areas at Mobley. They will not be allowed to return to cabins without an adult. Advisors will be assigned duty stations during the dance, and adults are needed in the dance to prevent inappropriate dancing. After the dance we hold Reflections, which is a final wrap-up of the day. The staff will provide a brief program and will release students to the cabins.
  

Friday: There are no programs on Friday. Your group will have breakfast, clean the cabins, and depart.

What are the meals like?

The Center has a dining hall and kitchen staff that provides all the meals. The meals are good quality and geared towards the students. Please be sure your students are on time for each meal and ensure that they clean their eating area when done. Eating meals is an important part of keeping the students healthy and hydrated during the hot summer days! There is a special Advisor Dinner on Wednesday night, and we provide a salad bar for lunches on most days. Sample Menu

What is the lodging like?

The cabins at camp are barrack-style bunk cabins. Most hold approximately 28 people in each. The cabins are air-conditioned, and bathrooms are in the cabin. The cabins have a smaller bunk room and bathroom for advisors that is separated from the students. Many of the cabins are old, and they will be crowded during camp. Unless you have enough people to fill a cabin within your chapter, you will be housed with other chapters. Everyone will bring their own linens to camp. We provide a mattress and toilet paper - everything else needs to be brought! There is a boys side of camp and a girls side of camp. The camp program includes Cabin Checks, in which campers are scored on how clean their cabin is each day. Cabin Layout

What is there to do during free time?

The camp has lots of activities including pool, canoes, paddleboats, crafts, canteen, tennis, miniature golf, ping pong, and fishing. There are also some adventure activities available including the Mega Slip and Slide, Zip Line, Climbing Wall, Shooting Sports, and Horseback Riding.

Who runs the camp programs?

The Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center has an Administrative Staff that works to plan and oversee the entire program. We also hire around 30 college students to serve on Summer Staff. Most of the Summer Staff are former campers, and they run assemblies, competitions, programs, and recreation areas.

What extra supplies should I bring?

In addition to the items on the What to Bring that the students use, we also provide an additional Advisor What to Bring in the Advisor Information section of the Advisor Guide.

What are the leadership opportunities at camp?

Every moment of SLC is filled with opportunities for campers to learn and develop leadership skills, but here are some of the "intentional" programs that are in place.

• Team Captains - On Monday, advisors will choose Team Captains. The Captains will have a variety of responsibilities, but most important is serving as a leader for their team. There will be up to three captains per team.
  
• Spirit Bucks - Spirit Bucks are a motivation tool that we use to reinforce positive behavior in students. Staff and advisors will have "bucks" to give students whenever they witness good behavior, such as helping other students, picking up trash, or demonstrating excellent sportsmanship. When a student gets 10 bucks, they can exchange them for a raffle ticket. On the last night of camp we have a drawing for a grand prize (such as an iPod) and other door prizes brought by chapters. We ask that all chapters bring a door prize of $10 value.
  
• Leadership Course - The camp has a low-ropes style course that students will participate in. These elements will help reinforce the team and leadership concepts that they have learned.
  
• Breakfast with the director - Each morning one person from each cabin can eat breakfast with the camp director. The students can provide feedback and suggestions for making camp even better!
  
• Team Time - On the first day of camp we have a time that our staff will work with your team to develop the team dynamic and learn teambuilding skills that will be critical for the week.
  
• Outstanding Team Members - At the end of the week, each team will select one person to be recognized as the Outstanding Team Member of the week. This is a great way to recognize those students who help others have a better camp experience.

What is the Team of the Week?

There are two "Team of the Week" awards which will be awarded on Thursday night:

1. Competition Team of the Week. Throughout the week, teams earn points by competing in various events. At the end of the week, the team with the most points earns the title "Team of the Week." The competitions include team events such as softball, volleyball, swim meet, relay race, and the obstacle course. There are also individual competitions such as tennis, miniature golf, ping pong, basketball, crafts, soccer kick, football toss, quiz bowl, boat race, fishing, skeet shooting, archery, and rifle shooting. Only dues-paid FFA or FCCLA members can compete in the Team of the Week competitions. High School Seniors that graduate in the spring can compete during that summer. Children and adults are not permitted to compete. Advisors will receive detailed rules and explanations when they arrive at camp. There are tentative rules included in the Advisor Guide.
2. Leadership Team of the Week. Teams are evaluated by other teams and the staff throughout the week on leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship, and attitude. The team that best displays the overall values of SLC will win Leadership Team of the Week.
   

What is the Obstacle Course?

One of the popular events of Summer Camp is the Obstacle Course. Held on the last night of camp, some of the students represent their team in a messy and fun set of challenges. Make sure your students bring some old clothes for this event!

Are there things that cost extra once we are there?

There are a few things that you will want to bring spending money for. We have a canteen/snack shop where you can buy snacks and merchandise. The craft kits in the craft shop require a small purchase. To do recreation shooting sports there is a small fee to cover the ammunition.

How do I promote camp?

There are posters and other materials on the Advisor Guide. You can use the promotional video and slide shows from last year that are available at our website. The best way to promote camp is through the students that came last year!
What information will I need to give parents?
In the Advisor Guide we provide a sample letter to give the parents. You will also want to give them Parental Consent/Medical Form/Code of Conduct, Camp Policies/Dress Code, and What to Bring. Every camper must have the Parental Consent/Medical Form and Code of Conduct when they check in at camp.

Is there a camp nurse?

The camp has a nurse on site during the week to treat basic injuries and illnesses during the week. The nurse is usually stationed in the Infirmary, but can be reached by radio by staff members. The camp registration fee includes a small insurance policy that covers visits to the doctor or emergency room if needed. Please read the Safety Procedures in the Forms and Information.

What happens at the facility during the rest of the year?

We often get asked this question! The Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center is a year-round facility that serves approximately 25,000 campers each year. Summer Leadership Camp occurs for five weeks of the summer. The summer actually begins two weeks prior to SLC - the summer staff come in for two weeks of training and preparation. After SLC, the camp hosts Wildlife Camps, Horse Camps, and Rental Groups (such as church youth groups and football camps) for the remainder of the summer. During the school year, the facility hosts FFA events, FCCLA events, BASIC Training, and Rental Groups.

Who do I contact with questions about SLC?

Russel Towns is the primary contact for SLC. If you need immediate assistance and Russel is not available when you call, the receptionist will be able to answer many of your questions.
Russel's Office: 770-786-6926 ext 4. Email: RTowns@GaAgEd.org
Receptionist: 770-786-6926 ext 0. Email: Gaffacamp@GaAgEd.org