Katahdin sixth-graders enjoy Camp Kieve

    KATAHDIN, Maine — Sixth-graders from Katahdin Middle School will be missed at The Leadership School at Kieve.  While on their three-day course, Katahdin students worked together with kindness and respect during their teambuilding, decision-making, and adventure learning activities on Lake Damariscotta. Students and staff learned through an experiential model of hands-on activities and open classroom discussions revolving around group dynamics, conflict resolution, communication skills and making healthy decisions in the face of various school and peer pressures. Kieve staff, Katahdin teachers and students all agreed that this week’s session was a great success.
The Leadership School at Kieve has been a valued educational partner in the state of Maine for the past 28 years and is fully endorsed by the Commissioner of Education, Susan Gendron. The school works with students, teachers and parents to effectively deliver positive messages, which will help create better citizens and healthier communities. The program aims to build students’ self-esteem and self-awareness and provides students with accurate information and the tools necessary to stay on track despite contrary peer influences.
Elise Lindsey, a Leadership School teacher was delighted to work with the Katahdin students. “This group has been a dream,” she exclaimed during one of the group’s last sessions. Abby Green, a teaching intern and cabin staff agreed and said that she was thrilled to see the students break down social barriers, especially in the cabin. “The students are making a concerted effort to communicate and hang out with people they don’t normally talk to at school.” Helping students break down barriers and communicate effectively is one of the things that The Leadership School takes pride in doing. The sixth grade teaching team at Katahdin says they already see a difference in the way their students have grown during their three days at Kieve. “We think it’s a fantastic experience for these kids,” said teacher Randy Cullins. Judy Stevens agrees and explained that she and Cullins both use The Leadership School’s acronym, LEAD STAR to help their students work on their communication skills. Ask the sixth graders and they’ll tell you what LEAD STAR stands for.
In fact, ask a sixth grader anything about their experience at Kieve and they’ll be delighted to talk about The Leadership School. “It was amazing. I loved climbing the best,” said Kaycee Cintron, a sixth grade student. “My favorite part was having to work together,” said Katelyn Giles. “I want to stay longer,” said Erin Crawford. All of the students agreed that The Leadership School staff is “awesome” and that they will “miss them so much!” Indeed, the lively and cooperative students from Katahdin Elementary School will be missed on Lake Damariscotta.
The three to five day Leadership School residential program operates during the traditional school year. Half of the cost for students to attend a program typically comes from fundraising at the school, parents, and community level.  Kieve-Wavus Education, Inc. subsidizes the other half of program costs in excess of $750,000 annually. For schools that are unable to attend residential programs on the Nobleboro campus, outreach programs are offered which allow The Leadership School to travel throughout New England, bringing tailor-made programming and curriculum to students in their home school environment.
Other programs offered by Kieve-Wavus Education, Inc. include Kieve Camp for Boys and Wavus Camp for Girls, which serve youth from Maine and around the world; Kieve-West, a co-ed wilderness program in Colorado; an Alumni and Family Camp; and a 9/11 Family Camp for families from New York and Washington, D.C. who were affected by the 9/11 tragedy.  In addition, Kieve-Wavus Education, Inc. operates The Kennedy Learning Center on the Nobleboro campus, which serves as a private retreat and conference center for adult teambuilding programs.
For more information about The Leadership School call (207) 563-6212, email leadershipschool@kieve.org, or visit the website at www.theleadershipschool.org