What's it Like to Participate in the Honor Council Leadership Program?
One of our favorite (updated!) traditions at Greystone is the Honor Council Leadership Program!
Senior Seniors can choose to opt-in at the beginning of Main Camp to participate in a 5-week program focused on Biblical servant leadership. Honor Council members attend 3 sessions a week: one, learning about the Biblical foundations of leadership from Sandi, a second with the Millers, telling stories and learning how these principles make an impact at camp, and a third with an Alumna mentor, getting the chance to connect with a Greystone alum and hear about how she practices servant leadership out in the world.
Honor Council members also commit to putting what they’re learning into practice by engaging in service at least two times a week during the session. This could look like helping out in an activity, sweeping up in the Dining Hall, or even taking pictures around camp. We help each girl find a service opportunity that uses her unique gifts and talents! The Honor Council girls also provide leadership at other important moments, like Closing Vespers.
But what is it actually like to participate in this program? We asked a few of our 2022 Honor Council Seniors! Read on to hear more about their experience, what surprised them, and what lessons have stayed with them through their senior years.
Neely:
What was your favorite part of the Program?
I absolutely loved the sessions with Jimboy and the Millers, but getting to hear from a camp alumna, especially one that could look back on her years as a camper, helped us as present campers to not take our days as a camper for granted. Elizabeth Madden specifically was a life changer! I wish I could re-listen to her message to us first thing every morning.
What’s been your biggest takeaway from the Program?
Servant Leadership. I think about Jimboy’s example of him sweeping after every meal every single day, if not twice or three times a day! I don’t even have the vocabulary to express my gratitude for this insight. It helped me notice the servant leadership that happens every day around me, but more than that, it helped me take advantage of the opportunities in my life.
What would you tell someone thinking about participating in it in the future?
Word for word, you won’t believe how much you will get out of these sessions! It is well worth it; each one of these sessions will set you up for success and open your eyes to bettering yourself in ways you didn’t even know were possible.
Edie:
My favorite part of the Honor Council Program was doing acts of service around camp because it allowed me to give back to the camp I love so much. If you are thinking of joining the Honor Council, I would highly recommend it because it taught me to be a servant leader and prepared me to serve out in the world!
Caroline:
What made you want to join the program?
I wanted to grow as a leader, and learn from some of the best servant leaders that I know. Leadership in the world often is tainted by power and self gain, and I knew that at camp I would be able to learn about leadership in its true form, serving and benefiting others.
What was your favorite part of the program?
My favorite part of the program was probably the speakers that came and talked to us. Getting to hear how camp has changed their lives, how they use the leadership training they received here in their jobs, and just hearing the stories of important and successful female leaders.
What surprised you about the program?
There is so much about servant leadership in the Bible! Just mirroring Jesus and how He led is a perfect example of leadership. The simplicity of it was surprising to me, and it was made so much more clear through the Honor Council Program.
What was your biggest takeaway from the program?
My biggest takeaway from the program has honestly been how rewarding it is to serve. It is so easy to get to go to camp and just enjoy all of the fun things around us, without thinking about all of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to make it happen. Getting to be a part of even a small part of that and seeing the impact that it makes on people is one of the best feelings in the world. If that isn’t a testimony to servant leadership and its importance I don’t know what is!