‘They can make a difference’: Girls empowerment camp exemplifies leadership qualities

By Leah Rainwater

St. Joseph girls are learning what it means to be a leader this week at the second Madam President Camp.

This year is the second year of the weeklong day camp in St. Joseph, which aims to help young women 11-13 find their voice and build their confidence.

“I feel like I’m more able to speak confidently and that stuff and then I know how to feel more like, educated on civic engagement,” said Jozie Campbell, a second-year camp participant.

The boost comes from women who are involved in the St. Joseph community.

“We have a wonderful team,” said LaVell Rucker, a camp facilitator. “A wonderful team of women who have been involved in the community for the St. Joe education system or in the business world for years.”

Rucker said since starting the camp last year, she’s seen growth in all of the young women who participate.

“This is our second year of Madam President Camp. Our first year, what we experienced was, there were some student campers that were shy, who did not feel like they had a voice or just didn’t feel comfortable speaking and sharing,” said Rucker. “They didn’t feel safe or like they were in a trusted group, right? So what happens is, as they interact and as we just engage them in the different activities and the fun things, because it’s so much fun, so much laughter, then they just become comfortable.”

Journey Nelson is an 11-year-old young woman and first-year participant in the camp. She said she’s learned a lot already since starting camp on Monday.

“We’ve done a lot of things, I’ve got to know new people,” Nelson said. “I’ve got to see what being a leader truly is.”

Nelson said she was nervous going into camp at first, but being two days in, she’s made some new friends.

Rucker said along with the confidence boost and new friends, the camp provides an opportunity for the young women to see how they can make a difference.

“It’s giving the girls an opportunity to actually learn while they’re young so that they can get an idea what it entails to be involved and to bring about change in their life,” said Rucker. “If they see something that they’re not in agreement with that’s going on either in their community or either at their school, then they have an opportunity to know a little bit about how they can make a difference.”