By David Jernigan, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
We’ve all heard stories of city kids arriving at overnight camp, apprehensive about the wilderness and none too thrilled to disconnect from their devices. By the end of camp, those same kids are gazing at stars with wonder and tranquility, swapping stories over s’mores. While these moments certainly happen every summer at our beloved 160-acre outdoor residential site in Madison County, Camp Kiwanis is more than a change of scenery and place of peace. It’s an award-winning epicenter where Atlanta’s future leaders are fortified.
Since 1951, Camp Kiwanis has welcomed more than 600 young people annually to engage in activities such as kayaking, archery, swimming, and orienteering. These activities are foundational, teaching teamwork, self-belief, and trust—skills essential for personal and professional success.
A key component of Camp Kiwanis is our Leaders in Nature’s Kingdom (LINK) program, founded in 1982 and a recent recipient of the prestigious Eleanor P. Eells Award for Program Excellence from the American Camp Association. LINK is a four-year leadership development program for teens aged 13-15, designed to cultivate future leaders.
“LINK is the heart and soul of our camp program and has carried on many traditions throughout the years,” said Camp Kiwanis Executive Director Carly Robinson. “As we bring city kids from across 10 Metro Atlanta counties out into the woods for traditional camp experiences, it is important that our campers see themselves in the faces of our staff members. The best way to do that is to ‘grow our own.’ Leaders in Nature’s Kingdom allows us to start training youth at age 13 and have some of the best staff members ever once they reach 18. Most of our city kids are petrified of ‘lions and tigers and bears’ in the woods when they arrive on Monday. But, by the time they leave on Friday, they don’t want to go back to the big city, since they were finally able to experience the wonders of nature, down by the riverside.”
I’ll never forget my first Camp K experience. I made the two-hour journey north of Atlanta and was immediately overtaken by the natural beauty of Camp K, nestled in the heart of the historic Broad River and Bartram Trail. As I strolled through the grounds, a LINK member caught my attention. Here was this teenage girl leading a team-building exercise with a group of middle school girls. I was mesmerized by her impeccable leadership skills: her clear commands and genuine encouragement resonated with the girls, who responded with trust and enthusiasm.
This remarkable display of leadership in action reverberated through camp with LINK members leading archery classes, coaching novel and non-swimmers in kayaking safety, teaching kids about the ecosystem and nature preservation, and resolving conflicts with social-emotional health and wellness skills that rivaled the best educators.
It quickly became apparent to me that Camp Kiwanis is a vital platform for personal growth and leadership development, fostering a sense of responsibility and achievement that our teens carry into their communities and the world. It’s no wonder why many of our Youth of the Year (YOY) finalists are also LINK members. Take Elias Dennis for example. Our 2022-23 BGCMA YOY who also went on to achieve the 2023 Georgia State YOY title, credits his experience as a LINK member and camp counselor with helping him realize his love for animals. A graduating senior, Elias works part-time at Banfield Pet Hospital and runs a yard-care business. This fall, he’ll study veterinarian science at Tuskegee University.
Likewise, our 2023-24 BGCMA YOY and 2024 Georgia YOY Runner-Up Jaden Tarver says becoming a LINK member was her most impactful experience, giving her the confidence to advocate for youth on the hill. She says attending Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth Days of Advocacy in Washington, D.C. opened her eyes to endless career paths. “My end goal is to become an attorney and work in the nation’s capital as a policymaker. I want to positively impact the world by providing support to those who feel unheard and make great changes that will benefit the masses.” This fall, Jaden will attend Howard University and study political science.
Alumni success stories like these coupled with a recent rise in interest among teen members are testaments to Camp K’s effectiveness and its crucial role in our mission to ignite the unlimited potential of kids and teens.
“We hope to utilize our alumni more in the future, as their post-program success speaks volumes for what they learned with us,” Robinson said. “We hope to carry on the LINK tradition for many years to come.”
CALL TO ACTION: Help us expand the impact of Camp Kiwanis. Partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta and Camp Kiwanis enables you to support workforce readiness opportunities for our teens, preparing them for success in today’s job market. Additionally, Camp Kiwanis offers rental opportunities for business retreats, providing an inspiring setting for team development sessions. Your partnership can provide invaluable support to these future leaders, ensuring they are prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Camp Kiwanis is not just about recreation; it’s where kids and teens develop essential leadership skills and explore interests that lead to post-secondary success. We aim to expand access to Camp Kiwanis for more Metro Atlanta youth to attend each support, enhance the Leaders in Nature’s Kingdom (LINK) program, improve camp infrastructure, and cover summer operational expenses. Your collaboration can make a lasting impact on the lives of young people, fostering their holistic development and paving the way for their future success.
For more information on how to partner with us and support Camp Kiwanis, please visit www.bgcma.org/campkiwanis.
