A Look at Leadership Development Centers by Sarah White
Hey Red Cross Youth!
I don’t know about you, but I love summer! Not only did I graduate from college, but I have TWO Leadership Development Centers to attend this summer. Not even summer can tear me away from the Red Cross!
Leadership Development Center is a camp hosted by the Red Cross in which youth students come and learn about the Red Cross and opportunities to volunteer within the organization, while also developing leadership skills for the future. Not to mention make best friends!
While there are only a handful of LDCs across the country, I feel so lucky to attend two. I’ve been a staff member for the Long Beach LDC in California since 2009 and a staff member for the Bay Area LDC (also in California) since 2012. This year, I am the Camp Director for the Bay Area LDC and I’ve been having a blast! It’s been so great to develop my youth staff, which are avid Red Cross volunteers and are eager to teach their peers about the Red Cross and how to get involved.
If I had to say what on
e of my favorite sessions is, I’d have to say this session called “Preparedness” where we simulate a disaster and
have the delegates rescue us.
It is pure chaos and fun, and a great way to learn how to prepare for disasters.
LDC is a great way to recruit youth volunteers for the Red Cross, and it has been such an amazing experience for me these past 6 years. If anyone, a youth volunteer or a youth coordinator is interested in the idea of hosting an LDC, feel free to contact me with any questions you may have at [email protected]!
