Cooperative Leadership Camp

Each summer, the North Carolina Cooperative Council hosts a week-long, ovenight camp for youth at Camp Monroe in Laurel Hill, NC. Open to rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors, the camp features energetic and interactive workshops, presentations, outdoor recreation, leadership development, team building activities and small group sessions with an emphasis on how cooperatives operate. Youth who attend are sure to have an exciting, memorable learning experience while making lasting friendships with youth from across the state.

Cooperative Leadership Camp is designed to provide an enjoyable learning experience for students, concentrating on:

• The cooperative way of doing business in a free enterprise society.
• Developing leadership skills and qualities in our future community leaders.
• Building a better understanding and appreciation for cooperatives.
• Recognizing outstanding NC youth possessing leadership qualities.

Each year, five campers are selected to receive leadership awards for their unique leadership abilities and receive an all-expense paid trip to the National Institute on Co-op Education at Virginia Tech University. All campers will also be eligible to apply for the $1,000 Jim Graham Cooperative Leadership college scholarship their senior year of high school.

The schedule for the week includes organization of a t-shirt cooperative, including an election of a board of directors, and selection of a manager.  Participants are also involved in small group sessions focusing on the area of leadership development and competitive team building activities. Speakers include prominent elected leaders and officials, college professors, and representatives of marketing, purchasing and service cooperatives. Other special features include a talent show, luau and fun team competitions by the lake. Click here to learn more about the camp https://www.ccnc.coop/cooperative-leadership-camp.

This year, the camp will be held June 26-30 and Central Electric will be sponsoring three rising sophomore, junior or seniors to attend. The deadline for all applications is May 15. For more information, you can contact Janet Jackson at 919-708-1638 or by email at jacksonj@cemcpower.com.

 to apply for the 2023 Cooperative Leadership Camp