WINNERSCAMP: AN EPIC LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE FOR TWEENS AND TEENS IN HAWAI’I

Delorese has been a dear friend of mine for many years. Recently she suggested that I bring a group of my Outbackers to Winners Camp for a leadership course! I am so glad that I did!!! The teamwork and comradery amongst the group I brought is unbelievable. They interact better with one another, they work harder for each other, but more importantly they cheer each other on outside of Outback because of the relationships that they created. My goal is to bring a group of Outbackers to Winners Camp at least twice a year. I already have others that did not get to go asking when we are planning our next outing. I would highly recommend that any business organization that wants to strengthen their team contact Winners Camp as soon as possible. Not only will their team be stronger because of it, but their team will also be armed with the tools to help others become more successful.

The Ropes Courses were my favorite part of camp. I had to overcome my fears and in the end I gained a better mindset about facing obstacles. I struggled multiple times and my team helped me keep a positive mindset and encouraged me to keep going until I was successful!

The parent day seminar was worth the tuition in itself! Every family can use the tools taught at Winners’ Camp to get through the challenging teen years.”

I wanted to extend a huge thank you on behalf of Punahou Aquatics. Since we returned from camp there has been such a huge change in morale. I hear the kids walking around the pool deck saying some of the acronyms they learned. I think the kids had so much fun and some of them have mentioned to me that they had a certain impression of people before the camp and found out that they were way different. This experience helped bond our team in a way that no practice or swim meet could. I also think it is very admirable of what you are doing with your staff in training them to be leaders. I was particularly impressed with Summer and Joseph. They were great with our swimmers. They were positive and they were funny. I think many of the great rewards from this weekend will be reaped much longer down the line but overall I was very impressed by the program you ran. From the bottom of my heart, thank you from Punahou Aquatics.

“Just got word from my son: he made Eagle Tech at school, which means he is in the top 10% of the entire school, not just his class. I think he has truly broken through and is achieving his goals. THANKS TO WINNERS’ CAMP!!! “

Winners’ Camp was successful in improving self esteem, reducing depression and teaching leadership skills to the teens in the program serviced. Never, as a psychiatrist or as a volunteer with community organizations, have I witnessed such remarkable transformations… students learned that they have new options when confronted by the realities of peer pressure… and to instead make more productive choices… I heartily endorse this type of primary prevention program as a critical step in stopping the deterioration of family life and community that is presently threatening so many families and youths in Hawai’i.

Winners’ Camp is among the most effective business-supported education improvement projects in the nation.

Through every part of my education: stressful finals, late nights studying, and tedious assignments, I think about what Winners’ Camp taught me. I now have perseverance and an unmatched diligence for accomplishing my goals. I believe the motto sums it up perfectly, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me”. I’m now prepared to take a proactive stance on my life, bringing my talents to the next level.

Delorese, You are a heart song and so is the entire work that you are doing. My tween had the time of her life and couldn’t stop talking about it all the way home. Her demeanor was softer and the veil of aloofness and self-protection was no longer there. Congratulations on being so authentic. The word “inspirational” is not enough to describe your contributions. You totally shine when you are there guiding those teenagers (who all adore you by the way). Can’t thank you enough. It will make a big difference in her well being.