The Oasis Community Leaders program is designed for 15 and 16 year olds who are interested in becoming future Oasis Group Leaders (camp counselors). Applicants must have previously attended Oasis and have finished at least the 9th grade. The OCL curriculum provides a natural and knowledgeable transition from Teen Travel camper to Oasis staff member. Oasis Community Leaders will participate in leadership training, community service-learning, trips, and camp activities.
Leadership Training is an experiential learning environment that will give OCL participants the skills and knowledge needed to work with children. As community leaders, they will participate in a variety of workshops covering areas such as child development, behavior management, conflict resolution, teambuilding, physical and emotional safety, and more. Partnerships with existing Oasis staff will be fostered to give campers real-life experience in the day to day responsibilities of group leaders, instructors, lifeguards, and operations staff. Weekly meetings will be facilitated to share and learn from experiences and prepare participants for different roles.
Community Service-Learning is a component of the Oasis Community Leaders experience where participants will have the chance to serve camp and other communities in the five boroughs based on the national Service-Learning Model. Community Leaders will participate in strategy sessions to identify problems and design a plan for solution. They will provide service for varying communities, reflect upon their experiences through discussion and journaling, celebrate their successes, and identify what further service could be carried out. Service might include leading all camp activities/special events, working with the elderly, helping with hunger and homelessness, beautification of neglected communities, helping to better inform the public, etc. Projects will be chosen and designed by the participants.
Trips will happen on a weekly basis and will be a healthy mix of fun, education, service, and adventure. Trips will include exposure to new cultures and communities through service-learning, educational / cultural destinations and learning centers, trips to celebrate successes (the beach), and a three-day, two-night trip to the Poconos where Community Leaders will participate in wilderness, environmental, and teambuilding activities. When possible, trips will be taken using the MTA subways and railways.
Camp Activities such as swimming, sports, arts, music, etc., will still be available for Oasis Community Leaders to participate in as campers. These activities will be offered on a limited basis, and will be chosen by the participants themselves. Community Leaders will also have a chance to experience most camp activities through their staff partnerships as well as service-learning.
BENEFITS FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE...
- Gaining essential leadership skills
- Improving social skills
- Exposure to the diverse array of cultures that make up New York City
- Learning a new sense of responsibility for themselves and for others
- An introduction to a professional working environment
- Earning up to 200 community service/internship hours for high school credit
- Becoming an advocate for their own communities
- Building friendships and professional relationships that will last a lifetime
- Hands on experience working with children in a camp setting
- An introduction to early childhood development
- Preparation for success in the collegiate and professional world
- Excellent experience for resumes and college applications
- A three day overnight camping trip in the Poconos including high ropes course, low ropes course, hiking, canoeing and much more!
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