Best Kentucky Leadership Camps Summer 2024-25 Directory

CAMP FACILITIES: We have both online art camps/workshops and in-person camps for our 2021 summer art program. Go to Our Camp Website Link: IchenArtAcademy.com for more information.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: Becoming an Ichen Art Academy student means that you have the opportunity to learn from the best art school with a long proven record of success to develop your creativity, foundational skills and artistic talents that will propel you to reach your full potential.

Best Quality Art Program
Since its inception in 1997 (formerly known as Ichen Art Studio), Ichen Art Academy has been putting relentless focus on developing high-quality art programs, reflected through its students’ artworks and measured by its students’ achievements. Many of its art-major students have now gone on to renowned art colleges and most prestigious majors such as CalArt’s Character Animation, ArtCenter’s Entertainment Design and Rhode Island School of Design. Some art-major students from early years have found employments in high-tech companies such as Google, Facebook and Netflix. Similarly, its non-art-major students have been accepted by nation’s top universities such as Harvard, Stanford, Princeton and MIT with the help of submission of a strong supplemental art portfolio. By consistently winning large numbers of national level awards in art competitions, Ichen Art Academy students’ skill levels and artworks are among the best in every age group.

Systematic and Comprehensive K-12 Art Education
Ichen Art Academy offers systematic and comprehensive art education to K-12 students and adults. All of its instructors are highly accomplished artists with many years of teaching and industry experience. Currently the following programs are offered
(Click the respective link to view students' artworks from that age group):

--Children’s Creative Art (Ages 5 to 8)
--Chinese Painting and Calligraphy (Ages 8+)
--Drawing and Sketch Level 1-Basic (Ages 8 to 10) Level 1 (Ages 10-11), 2 and 3 (Ages 12+)
--Oil Painting and Watercolor (Ages 12+)
--Digital Art for Beginner (Ages 9+), Intermediate and Advanced Levels (Ages 12+)
--Cartoon, Manga and Character Design (Ages 11+)
--AP Art Prep (Ages 14+)

Art Consultation Service for College Applications
The art counselor team at Ichen Art Academy specializes in helping art-major students prepare strong college art portfolios and apply for top art colleges and majors in the US. The team is also responsible for helping non-art-major students develop robust supplemental art portfolios for applying top private universities.

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: We partner with Youth Art Foundation, a non-profit organization to help our students develop leadership and utilize their art talents and skills to make positive contributions to their communities.

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: Ichen Art Academy provides comprehensive and systematic art education for K-12 students on a yearly basis. Please check our curriculum webpage for a detailed description:

Our Camp Website Link: www.ichenartacademy.com

OTHER CAMP INFO: Oil Painting, watercolor, Portrait/Figure Drawing, Illustration, Chinese Painting, Drawing and Sketching, AP Art Boot Camp, Open Studio, Fashion Design, UI/UX Design, Architectural and Interior Design, Animation and Game Design, Digital Art, Creative Comic Books, Manga and Anime, Cartoon and Character Design, Perspective Drawing, Graphic Design, 3D Modeling and much more.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Art Camps for kids ages 5-9:
Our Camp Website Link: www.ichenartacademy.com

Digital Illustration Art Camp for ages 9+:
Our Camp Website Link: www.ichenartacademy.com

Summer Art Workshops for ages 11+:
Our Camp Website Link: www.ichenartacademy.com

CAMP FACILITIES: YMCA Camp Ernst has two swimming pools, a 100-foot waterslide, water trampoline, canoes, kayaks, aqua cycles, zip line adventure, and opportunities to go horseback riding, learn archery, hang out in one of two creeks, and so much more! Valley campers, age 10-12, live in one of twenty-one traditional cabins, with restrooms located nearby. Campers enjoy meals in our historical dining hall. Lakeview campers, age 6-9, enjoy living in our Lodge, where all the camp amenities are under one roof, including restrooms and dining hall. LIT campers, age 13-15 live in the loft and longhouse and eat meals at Lakeview Lodge. Check out our website to see photos of each cabin.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: Boys and girls, from ages 5 to 15, are able to enjoy the Camp Ernst experience. YMCA Camp Ernst is just a 25-minute drive from downtown Cincinnati. 75 percent of its counselors were once campers like you at Camp Ernst. Come check out our 365 scenic acres of hardwood forests, playing fields, a horse barn and trails, and a 26-acre spring-fed lake.

Our popular lakefront features the 100 foot waterslide, Blob, water trampoline, banana boat, canoes, kayaks, aqua cycles, and sno kones! Camp’s two creeks, two swimming pools, Zip Line, Giant Swing, Climbing Wall, Burma Bridge, and Air Walk ensure that every day is full of exciting activities. Archery, BB ranges, and a dynamic Fine Arts program round out the daily adventure opportunities at Greater Cincinnati’s most popular camp.

Full week sessions are available for campers age 6-15. Half week and intro to overnight sessions are available for campers age 5-9.

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: The leaders in training program or L.I.T.s, is specifically designed for our oldest campers age 13-15. Leaders in training live in the Loft and Longhouse, cabins designed specially to foster community. In addition to the traditional camp activities, campers also participate in leadership rotations that are focused around team building, communication, role modeling, and problem solving. They put these skills to practice through service projects and the LIT/Lakeview day, where they are paired with a Lakeview cabin and help guide them through their lake rotations for the afternoon.

LITs enjoy other traditions like a Tuesday cookout, Pizza making and dodgeball, and the LIT favorite, the After-Party.

The Camp Ernst Crew Program is a leadership experience for those entering the 10th grade in Fall 2014. The crew program is designed to help foster responsibility, positive learning, teamwork, initiative, and a caring attitude that crew members will be able to use in and out of camp. To achieve this, the crew will participate in trainings, leadership rotations, guest speakers, and experiential service learning during their two week stay. They will form a tight knit group with the other crew members as they work together to complete a variety of tasks throughout their stay.

The Crews primary responsibility during their two week stay will be to perform an assortment of jobs throughout the camp. These tasks include cleaning dishes, serving food, cleaning bathrooms, sweeping, mopping, working on facility projects such as clearing trails and painting projects, and picking up trash. These experiences are used to develop the leadership skills that will be beneficial in the future summers at camp and other future endeavors.

Crew also finds time for the classic camp fun you may remember as a camper. Their college-age leaders will schedule time at the ropes course, lake, and pools. There will be opportunities for creek hikes, campouts, campfires, night hikes, mountain biking and much more. Crew members will attend opening and closing campfires as well as the Camp Ernst Party every Thursday. Crew members will also be given some opportunities to assist with camp-wide programming.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: We offer Income-based sliding scale scholarships. Applications open in January and funds are limited. Please check our website at: Our Camp Website Link: www.myycamp.org for more information.

FAMILY CAMP SESSION(S): Parents often say, “I want to go to camp!” Well, here’s your chance! Enjoy a weekend at camp with your family and friends. Each family is assigned to their own cabin, eats meals in the dining hall, and gets to do the classic Camp Ernst activities together including the Zipline, banana boat, horseback riding, and more! Family camp is held over Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekends. Check out our website at: Our Camp Website Link: www.myycamp.org for more information.

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: We offer Camper Weekends in October, November, over New Years in December and January, and in April. Campers enjoy all the fun of camp packed into just one weekend. All campers and counselors stay in Lakeview Lodge (which is heated). Campers participate in camp activities with their cabin group during the day and come back to the lodge for fun evening programs at the end of the day. Campers make s’mores, sing songs, climb the rock wall, play capture the flag, and so much more. Check out our website at: Our Camp Website Link: www.myycamp.org for dates and rates.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Our traditional resident summer camp program costs $530 for YMCA Members and $620 for non-YMCA members.

Check out our website at: Our Camp Website Link: www.myycamp.org for more information, including session dates.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: This summer join us for Deep Nature Connection in the wilds of Cherokee Park. Our nature based summer camp earth skills adventures will root us into the earth, our community and ourselves. We will tune into our bio-region by remembering ways to communicate with what is around us, the birds, the plants and trees, the animals, the human ecology and how we can deepen our relationship to this living web.

Our program inspires skills of awareness and listening, teamwork, and empowerment as we learn Ancestral Crafts such as basketry, water vessels, clay cookware, and making natural pigments. Primitive Skills include building debris shelters, flint-napping, cordage, and friction fires. Plant Wisdom- Identifying edible and medicinal plants, medicine making. Nature Awareness- tracking, bird language, camouflage, stalking, mapping. Community Connection- Storytelling, team building, games, songs. See more at: Our Camp Website Link: earthpatheducation.com

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: We have Fire Tenders Program for 13-16 yr olds interested in mentoring and nature connection.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Please email lena[AT]earthpatheducation.com for financial need scholarship requests.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
$250 for the week, $225 sibling discount

SUMMER CAMP JOBS:
Looking for an experienced support faciliator: teacher, wilderness guide, primitive skills enthusiast. Male, fun, great with kids, references, experienced.

CAMP FACILITIES: Our 16 acre camp includes many amenities and facilities, including eight air conditioned cabins, dining hall, bath and shower house, Olympic size swimming pool with two water slides, a climbing wall and zip line course, an archery range, and leisure sports, including basketball court, soccer field, tennis court, miniature golf pavilion, and baseball diamond.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: Our motto is: Adventures daily. Memories for life.

Since 1947, Woodmen of the World has been offering fun adventures. Parents can be assured that the trained staff at each camp has the safety of each camper as their first priority. All Woodmen of the World camps are members of the American Camp Association.

A Woodmen of the World summer camp is a great place for kids to build lifetime memories!

Camp Woodmen offers boys and girls age 8-15 the opportunity to learn new skills, be part of a team and develop as leaders. Activities at camp include nature study, citizenship, drama, arts and crafts, swimming, fishing, games, hiking, sports, and many others.

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: Former campers age 16-17 are welcome to return as counselors in training. All counselors receive CPR/First Aid certifications. Counselors also receive training for archery, ropes course/zip-line, and lifeguard skills. Training is provided at no expnese to the counseling staff.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Discounted cost for Woodmen of the World members. Buddy campers may come with a Woodmen member.

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: Camp WOW is available for rent during the spring, summer, and fall when camp is not in session. For current rental rates, contact the state office at 270-753-4382.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
2014 Session Dates:

Session 1: June 16-20
Session 2: June 23-27
Members: $100
Buddy Campers: $200*

Members may attend both sessions. Buddy campers may only attend once.

SUMMER CAMP JOBS:
Energetic, eager to learn, and eager to engage with kids? Camp WOW would love to have you for a counselor this summer. We want caring responsible counselors who can give our campers support and opportunities to grow in confidence and skill.

If you are interested in learning more, or getting an application, please call 270-753-4382, and ask for Angie.

CAMP FACILITIES: We have 27 modern cabins, outdoor pool, dining hall, outdoor basketball courts, an open-air chapel, a pristine lake for fishing, canoeing, and paddleboating, as well as many trails, fields, outdoor chapels, and pavilions.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: Loucon's desire is for all who enter our gates to know God and the life he intends for them. We believe in challenging ourselves and each other to push past the normal everyday experience so that growth occurs. Whether it be rock climbing, rappelling, or meeting new friends, Loucon wants to provide every camper the opportunity to step outside of their comfort zone and grow!

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: Leadership program.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: All of Loucon's camps offer a 3-tiered pricing model. Tier 1 is a lower, subsidized price. Tier 2's price point reflects the true cost of camp. Tier 3 is the highest price point and helps to subsidize other campers. All payment options offer the same camper experience! Scholarships are available through inquiry at info[AT]loucon.org or by calling our office at 270-242-7160.

FAMILY CAMP SESSION(S): This year, Loucon is excited to off Grandparents Camp for campers 12 and younger and their grandparents. Check out Loucon.org/camps to see the dates and fees for this awesome camp!

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: Loucon serves as a training and retreat center from August-May. We host retreat groups of all sizes. We offer many different housing, meeting, and activity options. Inquire at info[AT]loucon.org or call the office at 270-242-7160 to book or set up a tour!

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Visit Our Camp Website Link: www.loucon.org for info regarding summer camp 2018 dates and fees!

CAMP FACILITIES: Campers sleep in groups of 12 inside large military style tents on military grade cots. Training is throughout 300 acres of wooded and farm lands. Meals are eaten family style. Combatives training takes place in Louisville at Core Combat Sports, a world-class combatives facility.

The name of our camp is Forward Operating Base Roland, or FOB Roland, named after Lexington, KY native Matt Roland. Matt was an Air Force Special Operations officer that was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2015. He earned the Silver Star for his courage under fire. His father is a retired Air Force Colonel and is part of our staff. We are proud to serve our community and pass on Matt's legacy to our future leaders and members of the guardian class.

There is a hard structure on site that we can move into should severe weather move into the area.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: Intrepid Leadership Group are military veterans and special operators that worked closely while in Joint Special Operations Command. All of us have sons and daughters that we've raised to stand up for what they believe in and serve others. Our camp is designed to take capable and motivated teens and teach them to use their skills to help others and contribute to society.

We've learned our best leadership training was during stressful situations, so we've created manageable stress by assigning our teens "missions" they have to plan and execute, sometimes in paintball gear while receiving "fire". This manageable stress is a fun and safe way of increasing their heart rate while teaching them to make decisions and lead their teammates. We also use Clifton's StrengthFinders personality assessment tool to help our teens understand and exploit their natural strengths.

We have two certified strength coaches on site the entire time and we use this tool as part of our daily feedback sessions. This is our third year and our camps are fantastic!

Please go to our website and check out pictures and video as well as the "camp cadre" to learn a little about our background. While it can get intense at times, we always keep it safe and ensure humor and fun is always part of the curriculum. Feel free to contact me directly at BullerK[AT]LeadIntrepid.com to discuss our camp further and get any of your questions answered.

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: Leadership Programs.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Gold Star children (sons and daughters of military parents killed in combat) attend for free. Contact Intrepid Leadership Group direct to register and to have fees waived.

OTHER CAMP INFO: During our Girls Leadership Camp we have female chaperones on site the entire time and our male cadre never enter the Girls tents and there are no activities where one of our girls is alone without her teammates.

Phones are made available a couple times a day to check in with parents, but this is largely a device-free camp.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Boys Leadership Adventure Camp: 17-21 Jun, 2019
Girls Leadership Adventure Camp: 24-28 Jun, 2019

Only 24 slots available, 50% is required to hold the slot, refundable until 15 May.

Each camp costs $550 total and includes all meals. Airfare and travel costs to Louisville is not included.

Campers check in at Intrepid's HQ in the town of Goshen, KY Monday morning at 6:00 AM. Intrepid handles all transportation requirements during the camp. The camp ends at 5:00 PM on Friday with a mini-social event in Goshen, KY so the parents can meet the cadre as well as watch pictures and videos of the weeks events.