Looking around the room I thought about all the things I had done the last four days. I had made new friends and learned new skills that would help me lead not only myself, but also others.

On the long drive up to Vista, I sat in the front seat wondering how in the world this was worth getting up so early for in the middle of my summer vacation. To me, this was just going to be one of those camps where they teach you leadership from a textbook, while a crabby old man recites his well-practiced speech in front of 20 bored teenagers. To me, this was going to be something that adults asked me about. I would plaster a fake smile to my face and tell them exactly what they want to hear. “The camp was so beneficial. I had a lot of fun too.” To me, this was yet another waste of my time.

However, my suspicions were proven wrong, much to my delight. I walked into a room full of energy. I saw a teacher who was enjoying himself as he taught the next generation of the world the basics of leadership and in place of bored kids I saw teens actually paying attention. I had new hopes for my week. “Maybe waking up early won’t be so useless.” I joyfully thought to me self.

Over the week we learned about numerous things, from the different stages of development to our points of power. Our points of power could come from our position, our task, and even our attitude. We learned of applied constraints, and by releasing the shackles you put on yourself you can accomplish so much more than before. Of course they didn’t just tell us about all of these things. We put them into practice with different kinds of activities. Some activities helped us learn how to use our own points of power others explained the development process when starting a new task. One that stood out in my mind the most was the pen making activity.

At first I didn’t see how this was relevant to leadership, but when the more experienced teens helped out the struggling individuals I saw the things we had been learning a little earlier were being put into practice right before my eyes. Depending on everyone’s development and point of power, my classmates were able to take a role that would benefit everyone. Those who were experienced in the activities took over the teaching; others, who had a positive attitude, helped those who had given themselves self-constraints break out of their shell and enjoy themselves during the exercise. When you took a step back you saw a class that was functioning efficiently. No one would have guessed many of the individuals had never done the activity before.

At the end of the week, when thought about the accomplishments of the week from designing our own billboard to giving ten amazing kids new bikes, I thought this was something I could proudly say I went to and enjoyed.

As a member of the Teen Korps Youth Leadership Council it is my responsibility to attend the monthly meetings. For almost every meeting there is a lesson and a speaker. Whether the lesson was on how to reach out to different parts of a community or how to be an effective leader, the lessons are always very powerful and helpful and are paired with a speaker that hits the message straight home.

The meeting was just starting and everyone sat in their chairs and got comfortable. This was going to be a long hour and a half. A man was already waiting in our meeting room; he was going to be our speaker for tonight. He stood up and walked to the front of the room introducing himself as Don Sando. Tonight’s lesson was on team building and our strengths and weaknesses as a leader. Mr. Sando started off with a power point presentation that showed us graphs on the relationship between good morale (people having confidence in you and being liked) and strong results as the leader of your team.

He also had other graphs on similar topics. All of his information and results were actually from real companies and organizations that had experienced good leadership and bad leadership. Finally, Mr. Sando talked about the four characteristics that make a high achieving leader. You need to make sure that you listen to your team’s suggestions and ideas and have positive feelings toward your team. This will lead your actions towards your team to also be positive. We also learned the importance of involving everyone in decisions. Last but not least, he taught the importance of being motivated not for selfish reasons of self gain or wanting to be liked, but because you enjoy sharing power and want to do what’s best for your team.

He also explained the five steps to leadership improvement. First you need to assess what the problem is, then learn how to fix it. After learning how to fix the problem you can continue to adjust by experimentation and observation. The last step is to simply practice this new method of leadership and master it. The result will be a stronger more efficient team.

A favorite quote of Mr. Sando was “people don’t care what you know unless they know that you care.” With that last thought in mind, I hope to become a more effective and stronger leader and am very thankful that I had the experience to learn from Mr. Sando.

On Tuesday, November 30th, several families from the Rancho Santa Fe Kids Korps chapter joined together to provide a delicious dinner for the Bread of Life homeless shelter in Oceanside.  Our families donated all the meal items, including drinks, fruit, green salad, several entree items and many delicious deserts.  The parents and children prepared meals in the kitchen and the children served them to approximately 100 homeless people.
I was happy to help people less fortunate than myself.  I saw many smiles on their faces and they were very grateful for a healthy, warm meal.  I’m glad we were able to make a difference to so many lives!

Sycamore Ridge Kids Korps Hosts Holiday Party at Family Recovery Center

The Sycamore Ridge Kids Korps chapter hosted a holiday party at the Family Recovery Center in Oceanside, in December.  The Family Recovery Center supports women and families in treatment, helping them to recovery from various abuse and addiction issues. The Sycamore Ridge volunteers interacted with the residents and families to make Christmas ornaments, decorate holiday cookies, and start the holiday season on an uplifting note.

The next event will be making and serving dinner for the homeless at Bread of Life in Oceanside on January 8^th.

Tickets Now on Sale for Super Star Gala – Red Haute Tango 2011

Kids Korps USA’s Annual Super Star Gala is heating up San Diego as it brings to life one of the most sensual evenings inspired by the dance, flavor and spirit of the Latin culture. From the dramatic tango, to the sexy Lambada and the smooth footwork of the Cha-Cha-Cha this evening will infuse all of your senses to create the Red Haute Tango Gala on April 29^th, under a blanket of stars at the romantic Grand Del Mar Hotel. For ticket purchase or table sponsorship call 760-452-2676 or email Info@KidsKorps.org.  Visit our website www.kidskorps.org/gala2011

Join Chapter Leader Teresa Miller in Her Run for Kids Korps!

On January 23^rd, Sage Canyon chapter leader, Teresa Miller will run in the Carlsbad Marathon. For 6 years, Teresa has been a leader with Kids Korps, organizing and participating in projects with her children and serving on the Board of Directors. Teresa has pledged to raise $5000 for Kids Korps through her marathon run.  You can help make her effort successful by making a tax-deductible donation. Any amount will be greatly appreciated in helping Teresa reach her goal to maintain and grow our programs throughout the year. To support Teresa’s fundraising efforts for Kids Korps call 760-452-2676 or email Info@KidsKorps.org.  Visit our website www.kidskorps.org.

Sempra Energy 2^nd Annual Environmental Champions Awards

The Sempra Energy Foundation recently concluded its second Environmental Champions Awards, an initiative to make grants to organizations making a difference in the environmental arena in the Southwest and Gulf Regions. The Sempra Energy Foundation awarded $1,000,000 in grants to 501(c)(3) public charities for their environmental education programs for grades K-12. Kids Korps Green Korps(tm) thanks the Sempra Energy Foundation for their selection of Kids Korps USA in support in our creation of a Green Korps Youth Council.

Teen Korps Youth Leadership Council

Council members have completed an online leadership evaluation as we begin the year with an assessment of team strengths and individual roles and responsibilities.  Our speaker, Don Sando from Strategic Results will speak about “Team Building & Management.” He will then lead the council through an exercise designed to help each of our teens develop their team focus and long term better understand their abilities to work with others. Ultimately, the exercise will help each of our teens understand and hone their individual strengths.

On Sunday, November 14^th, the Rancho Santa Fe Kids Korps Chapter hosted a grand Thanksgiving themed feast for the foster children living at New Alternatives, a non-profit foster family agency, in Escondido.  Approximately ten families prepared homemade turkey and all the fixings for the 40+ foster children who were reunited with their families for the special meal.  Food and drink service, as well as crafts, was led by the Kids Korps children and teen volunteers.  It was a truly special event as some of the families had to travel by bus 6 hours just to attend and see their children.  There was much to be thankful for that day by all.