June 15-29

July 1-15

July 17-31

Leadership Academy

Where girls ages 15–18 step into real responsibility and find out what they're capable of.

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The WeHaKee Leadership Academy is for campers ages 15 to 18 who are ready to grow their leadership skills. Campers move through three levels: Counselor-in-Training 1 (CIT1), Counselor-in-Training 2 (CIT2), and Junior Counselor (JC), each building on the last. New campers age 15 or older begin in CIT1. New campers ages 16+ still begin with CIT1, but can enroll in multiple stages within the same summer, completing two or even all three levels over four or six weeks.

Leadership Academy campers experience camp differently. Along with enjoying the traditions, friendships, and activities that make WeHaKee special, they begin stepping into roles that ask more of them. They learn how to take initiative, support others, work as part of a team, and lead with maturity in a real community.

What Makes It Special

The Leadership Academy gives teens the chance to practice leadership, not just talk about it. Each level builds confidence through real responsibility, mentorship, and guided experience. Campers are supported by staff as they grow into stronger communicators, role models, and leaders within the camp community.

Everything Included

Your camper's session includes housing, meals, daily programming, evening camp traditions, and full access to the WeHaKee experience.

Overnight cabin accommodations
Three meals and snacks each day
Leadership workshops and guided mentorship
Daily camp activities and evening programs
Support from experienced counselors and staff
A welcoming, confidence-building camp community

All sessions are $3,650. New campers age 15 or older begin in CIT1. New campers ages 16+ still begin with CIT1, but can enroll in multiple stages within the same summer, completing two or even all three levels over four or six weeks.

Counselor-in-Training 1

June 15 to June 29
July 1 to July 15
July 17 to July 31

Counselor-in-Training 2

June 15 to June 29
July 1 to July 15
July 17 to July 31

Junior Counselor

June 15 to June 29
July 1 to July 15
July 17 to July 31

Payment Options

We offer flexible options to help families plan with confidence. A low deposit holds your camper's spot, and monthly payments are available.

Monthly Payment Plan: 4 automatic installments on November 15, January 15, March 15, and May 15
Deposit: $500 holds your spot

Each day in the Leadership Academy has a natural rhythm that gives campers structure, challenge, and variety. Campers spend time with their peer group, support younger girls, take part in leadership workshops, enjoy meals together, and contribute to the larger camp community in meaningful ways.

Some moments are active and high energy. Others are reflective, thoughtful, and just as important.

Staff guide campers as they take initiative, build confidence, and grow into stronger leaders through real experience.

Leadership Experiences

Leadership Academy campers take part in experiences that help them practice responsibility, communication, and teamwork in a real camp setting.

Personal Growth

Goal setting and reflection
Confidence building workshops
Decision making in real scenarios
Leadership feedback and coaching

Leadership & Responsibility

Public speaking and communication
Team leadership and facilitation
Conflict resolution
Mentorship with younger campers
Group problem solving

Applied Camp Experience

Assisting activity instruction
Leading small group activities
Supporting cabin life
Event planning and execution
Daily responsibility roles

Outdoor & Team Challenges

Outdoor skills and team building
Group challenge initiatives
Camp-wide leadership projects
Team problem solving

What Families Should Know

The Leadership Academy is designed for older campers who are ready for more responsibility. Campers are supported as they grow into leadership roles, with guidance from experienced staff who help them stretch, reflect, and succeed.

For many teens, this is their first experience leading in a real environment. They learn how to communicate clearly, support others, and handle responsibility with more confidence and maturity.

A few activities and services are available for an extra cost. None of them are required, but each one is worth considering depending on how your camper wants to spend her summer.

Horseback Riding

For girls who want extra time at the barn, in the ring, and with the horses.
$290 per 2-week session
$580 for two sessions
$870 for three sessions

Water Skiing & Wakeboarding

A great add-on for campers who want more time building confidence and skills on the water.
$85 per 2-week session
$170 for two sessions
$255 for three sessions

Bus Transportation

Coach bus transportation is available from the Chicago area and from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).
$150 each way

Bedding

Available for international campers. Bedding includes a sleeping bag, pillow, pillow case, sheets, towel, and wash cloth.
$65 for one session
$90 for two sessions
$110 for three sessions

Laundry

Optional weekly laundry service is available. Laundry is picked up at camp, professionally cleaned and folded, then returned within 24 to 36 hours.
$60 for one session
$120 for two sessions
$180 for three sessions

Session Break Day Trip

Campers attending back-to-back sessions take one off-camp excursion during each session break. Families are encouraged to add $20 to $40 per session break to their camper's Trading Post account. Campers are supervised by WeHaKee staff at all times.

Highlights

Changing lives
since 1923

Camp WeHaKee has been creating meaningful outdoor experiences for over 100 years. Whether campers arrive for a full session, a family weekend, or a special program, time at WeHaKee is about connection, discovery, and stepping away from everyday life to experience something real.

100+ Summers of Impact

4.9 rating

Braver by the End

She tries things here she never would do at home

Friends for Keeps

Girls come from all over and leave knowing each other

Skills That Stick

Riding, paddling, climbing, and skills she keeps for life

Years of Tradition

Campfires, singing, and traditions going back to 1923

FAQs

Have questions?

How much does the Leadership Academy cost?

Each two-week Leadership Academy session is $3,650, the same tuition as a standard Girls Camp session. Each level runs as its own two-week session, so girls who want to complete multiple levels in one summer enroll in back-to-back sessions at $3,650 each. A $500 deposit holds your spot at registration, and the automatic payment plan spreads the balance across January, March, and May. Tuition grants are also available for families with financial need.

Does the Leadership Academy count as a job or internship?

The Junior Counselor level is a direct pathway to becoming a WeHaKee counselor. Many of our staff members started in CIT1 and worked their way through all three levels. After completing the full program, graduates are well-positioned to apply for a paid summer staff position in future years. It's one of the most common ways WeHaKee counselors come to us. They grew up here.

What skills does the Leadership Academy develop?

The Academy focuses on servant leadership: the idea that leading means showing up for others first. Participants build skills in relationship-building, group dynamics, communication, feedback (giving and receiving it), and decision-making under pressure. They also develop practical camp skills: activity instruction, conflict resolution, and working with children of different ages. These aren't abstract lessons. They happen in real situations with real campers every day.

What does a Leadership Academy participant actually do each day?

Leadership Academy participants work alongside WeHaKee staff in a real, hands-on way. Depending on their level, they lead activity periods, supervise younger campers, assist with cabin management, and participate in structured leadership training. They also take part in all the activities and traditions they love from Girls Camp: Council Fire, Evening Gathering, Hunter Lake, the works. The difference is they're doing it with more responsibility and intentionality, not less fun.

Can my daughter do multiple levels in one summer?

Yes. Because each level runs as its own two-week session, your daughter can enroll in back-to-back sessions and complete CIT1 and CIT2, or even all three levels, over four or six weeks. This is a popular option for older teens who want to move through the full program in a single summer. Tuition is $3,650 per two-week session, same as Girls Camp.

What are the three levels of the Leadership Academy?

The Leadership Academy has three progressive levels: CIT1, CIT2, and Junior Counselor (JC). CIT1 introduces leadership fundamentals: working with younger campers, learning group dynamics, and developing your own style. CIT2 builds on that with increased responsibility and deeper skill-building. Junior Counselor is the final stage, where you function as a full working member of the WeHaKee staff alongside your counselors. Each level is available in every two-week session, so you can complete two or even all three levels in a single summer.

Who can join the Leadership Academy?

The Leadership Academy is for girls ages 15 to 18 who are ready to take the next step from camper to leader. It's designed for teens who have completed 9th, 10th, or 11th grade and want more than a traditional camp session. You don't need prior camp experience to start. New campers age 15 or older begin in CIT1, the first level of the program.