Leadership Development Camp

2018 Leadership Development Camp

American Red Cross Los Angeles Region Leadership Development Camp is an annual youth camp that gathers over a hundred delegates in in the San Bernardino mountains for a week each August.

2018 marks the 75th anniversary of the Leadership Development Camp, demonstrating the firm and lasting commitment of the American Red Cross to train and empower future humanitarian leaders in communities around Los Angeles.

Over five days, high school and college students build confidence and cultivate core leadership skills such as teamwork, public speaking, and diversity/cultural understanding. These skills can later be applied on school campuses and later in life. Throughout the week, American Red Cross youth volunteers and staff members create sessions and activities that reinforce delegates’ individual and team leadership skills. Over 100 youth come back from camp each year as stronger individuals. Delegates form friendships that can last a lifetime. Moreover, they will become leaders who make a difference in their schools and communities.

"I don’t think I’ve ever met so many people who were so loving, encouraging, and just willing to open their hearts to each other."

Kaitlyn C

Leadership Development Camp Activities

Leadership Development Camp prepares high school students for the challenges of tomorrow. The camp's programs focus on teaching the valuable skills for their educational and professional career by actively involving the delegates. The programs, constantly changing and evolving, are designed and implemented by alumni and students from universities around the country.

The Los Angeles Region Leadership Development Camp (LDC) offers youth one of the most inspirational, introspective, and life-changing experiences through our one-week leadership camp. Through LDC, youth have the opportunity to learn about and improve leadership skills, discover their true potential, and gain appreciation for community service. LDC combines learning activities with hands-on interactive games, to create an extremely fun, positive and powerful experience.

Youth learn fundraising, marketing, and time management/planning skills. LDC is leadership by youth, for youth. We focus on core leadership skills first in an active environment. There are no lectures! Sessions and activities are about doing, and that’s a standard at LDC.

Expect to expand your world by sharing your experiences with youth from all over Southern California. Be prepared to open your mind and learn something new about yourself and about what’s going on in the world. Discover what you can do to make a positive impact in your life and in your community.

Continuous Youth Leadership Model

What sets Leadership Development Camp (LDC) apart from other youth camps, is that it is completely planned and staffed by high school and college youth. Youth who have served as Camp Delegates, are invited to apply and return as Camp Staffers. Youth who have previously served as Camp Staffers, are invited to apply to become a part of the Leadership Development Advisory Council. This model allows the Red Cross to carry camp traditions on continuously from cohort to cohort, as well as provide a space for youth to build on multiple layers of involvement and leadership lessons. The continuous development model guarantees, that our leadership lessons don’t end on the last day of camp – they continue for the youth who come back to staff the camp, and for those around them.

Leadership Development Camp Advisory Council

Leadership Development Camp Advisory Council members are the most senior camp participants. LDC Advisory Council applications are only open for youth who have previously served as LDC Camp Staff. Advisory Council Members mentor and train Camp Staff, to help them successfully organize the camp.

Leadership Development Camp Advisory Council Applications are closed for 2018. Applications for 2019 will open in September 2018.

Leadership Development Camp Staff

Leadership Development Camp Staff are appointed annually in April. To organize camp activities, Camp Staffers participate in two training sessions, a weekend retreat, and camp planning weekend organized by the Advisory Council between May and July.

Leadership Development Camp Staff applications are open to all previous delegates.

Leadership Development Camp Staff Applications are closed for 2018. Applications for LDC 2019 open in January 2019.

Leadership Development Camp 2018

Leadership Development Camp 2018 will be held August 6th through August 10th Applications for LDC 2018 will be available March 1st through July 20th.

Applications are open to all Southern California youth enrolled in 9th to 12th grades. This is an overnight camp. Camp price includes all lodging, materials and activities associated with the camp.

Red Cross Youth Corps and Club Member Application

1) Apply online - Apply now

2. Complete Camp payment
Once your application is received, you will be contacted for payment instructions. Please ensure that your contact information is accurate and reliable.

Delegate Fee $400.00 is due by July 20th. Fee includes accommodation and 3 meals per day for 5 days & 4 nights (lunch & dinner provided on Monday and breakfast only on Friday). Camp fee is non-refundable.

3. Submit Signed Waiver & Health History Forms

Download, get parent or guardian consent and email forms to Amanda.pham@redcross.org by August 5, 2018

All other applicants

1. Complete Red Cross volunteer application

All delegates are required to register as Red Cross volunteers. If you have not volunteered with the Red Cross previously, please begin your application by creating a Volunteer Connection account and obtaining written consent from your parent or guardian if you are under 18.

2) Complete Leadership Development Camp Application

3) Complete Camp payment
Once your application is received, you will be contacted for payment instructions. Please ensure that your contact information is accurate and reliable.

4) Submit Signed Waiver & Health History Forms.
Download, get parent or guardian consent and email forms to Amanda.pham@redcross.org by August 5, 2018

Leadership Development Camp Delegate Scholarship

Each year, limited delegate scholarships are available for current Red Cross youth volunteers. For more information on how to apply for a scholarship, please email Anna.Giang@redcross.org.