Junior Leaders: In Detail

Program Highlights

Leadership Training: For two weeks in Eldorado Canyon, Junior Leaders work closely with their counselor to learn the ins and outs of being a good leader at camp and in their community.

Role Playing: An abbreviated version of our AO Staff Manual is the foundation for our JR Leader Training. Role plays, our most common training technique in staff training help us learn by doing and discussion.

Behind the Scenes: Junior Leaders get a look behind the scenes of camp, learning what it takes to prepare all aspects of the program from gear prep to GORP!

Staff Connections: Staff regularly review with Junior Leaders their progress and skills. They make themselves very accessible to Junior Leaders for any questions or needs.

  • Have a lot of fun while learning how to be a great counselor!
  • Order and make your own GORP - an AO classic!
  • Also enjoy the hikes, climbs & outdoor fun of being a camper once more!

 

Just wanted to let you know again what a wonderful session these last 2 weeks have been. Meghan learned a ton, came home tired, dirty and happy! What more could I ask for?

- Rich and Lori

Got Questions? Get answers!

 
 
 

We will keep all of your
contact information
private and respond
to you promptly.

 
 
go back register
 
 

The Junior Leaders Program involves 2-week leadership trainings in Eldorado Canyon followed by leadership opportunities alongside counselors with our 4.5 to 6 year-old Junior campers.

This leadership program bridges the gap between being a camper and a young adult. Junior Leaders share their love of camp with Junior Campers and help them develop an appreciation of nature.

Junior leaders gain new skills, such as First Aid and CPR, that help them in working with children & babysitting.

Trainings are two weeks, Experiences are one week.

Training Dates & Rates:

  • Training Option 1: May 29 - June 8 ($625)

Experiences are available to anyone who has successfully completed a Training and are available from May 29 - July 20. Cost: $100 per week.

Ages: Boys & Girls, 12 - 14 for training; up to 16 for experience

Times: Approx. 8:30am - 4:15pm

Download our Rates, Dates, and Discounts PDF.

 

Training: Junior Leaders get to share in the Eldorado Canyon experience with the other campers there throughout their training.

Experience: Once trained, they are working alongside staff in our Junior Program, which explores many nearby natural areas and is based near downtown Boulder.

Each day, Junior Leaders are picked up and dropped off at locations around Boulder County.

Those locations are:

  • Heatherwood Elementary
  • Base Camp (20th & Pine)
  • Marshall Mesa Trailhead (Training only!)

We have our own big yellow bus! Our driver, Ed, is a district driver for St. Vrain and has been hired not just for his great driving skills, but for his understand of children. There will almost always be additional counselors on the bus to help Ed supervise, lead songs, and check in with each camper.

register
 

For Junior Leaders Training, see the Eldorado Canyon Transportation Details.

For Experience, see the Boulder Junior Program Transportation Details.

Daily Transitions

Training Sessions: Junior Leaders participate in the mornings and afternoons with the rest of the Eldorado Canyon Program, sometimes leading the group.

Experience: Junior Campers love the Junior Leaders and will seek them out to help make what can be, for the younger campers, a tough transition in the morning and afternoon.

Sample Session Schedule

JR Leader Training
These weeks closely mirror our Eldorado Canyon program - campers get to hike, climb, swim and participate in all camp games. Additionally, they discuss and practice working with younger campers using parts of AO's staff training.

JR Leader Experience
Junior Leaders in our Junior Program have fun with younger campers and work alongside staff. They serve as role models and friends to younger campers while learning from great counselors.