Your Red Cross Update

When I first attended the American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region’s Leadership Development Center (LDC) as a delegate during the summer of 2025, I thought it would simply be a one-time, four-day camp experience in the middle of nowhere surrounded by people I didn’t know. I never imagined I would come back to Redwood Glen Camp the following summer to help plan, coordinate and document as a staff member. When I applied, I wasn’t thinking that far ahead. I was just excited for the opportunity to meet new people and try something new. Looking back now, I’m grateful that LDC became so much more than a single camp experience and that each summer, I leave with much more than I could expect.

During my first summer  as a delegate, I looked up to the staffer because they created an environment where everyone felt comfortable being themselves. They showed me that you could have fun  and,be authentic while still being  an effective leader. They cared about every delegate, encouraged us to step outside  our comfort zones and led by example.  I remember one delegate in my squad who was not  very comfortable speaking English. Instead of rushing conversations or leaving her out, the staffer  took the time to listen, be patient and make sure she felt included in activities and discussions. Watching them  made me realize that leadership  wasn’t  about being the loudest person in the room l but  about supporting others, building people up and creating a space where everyone felt  they belonged. And throughout camp, I  continued to witness staff members intentionally  including  delegates who were standing by themselves,  encouraging  those who were hesitant to participate  and celebrating  everyone’s efforts, regardless of the outcome.  Those experiences inspired me to  come back the following year and  apply  as  a staff member.  I  knew I wanted to  create that same experience for future delegates.

Going into camp as a staffer, I felt both excited and nervous. My personal goal was to become a stronger leader so that every delegate could feel the same way I felt my first year: welcomed, supported and encouraged to step outside their comfort zone. I remembered how at the beginning of camp I was quiet and hesitant to talk to people I didn’t know. The staff encouraged me to join conversations participate in activities and get to know my squad. I hoped I could do the same for someone else, and that meant stepping out of my own comfort zone. So, I challenged myself to be more approachable by starting conversations with delegates during meals, introducing myself to delegates I hadn’t met yet, checking in with delegates who seemed quieter during activities and making an effort to learn everyone’s names. By the end, every delegate I connected with knew they had someone they could talk to.  

Serving as a staffer  also  opened my eyes to the work it takes to organize  and execute something like  LDC.  As a delegate, I  didn’t  think much about everything that went into activities like the Search and Rescue simulation, where delegates respond to  various  health emergency scenarios  as if they were  in the real world.  Now  as aI

Having to go through all that work made me appreciate how much time and effort goes into creating an experience where every delegate feels welcomed, supported and inspired to grow. And that work was worth it.  

I got to watch  the delegates grow  into their confidence within a  week.  Some delegates became friends during the bus ride to camp, while others found their closest friends halfway through the week.  At  first,  I noticed  many were quiet or hesitant to participate  in  activities like the dance battle, morning  energizers  and group chants, because they  didn’t  know anyone.    As the days went on, I watched those same  delegates become more confident.  They volunteered to lead group chants, participate  in disaster skits  and take on leadership roles during Search and Rescue. They cheered each other on during CPR practice, team-building  games  and squad competitions.  Seeing that transformation reminded me so much of my own experience as a delegate.  I knew that new friendships that would last long after camp  were built within that week.  

Another highlight I didn’t expect was working alongside such an incredible staff team, made up primarily of other young adults and teenagers like me. Everyone brought different strengths, but we all shared the same goal of making camp the best experience possible for the delegates. Whether we were preparing the Search and Rescue simulation by setting up stations across camp, solving last-minute schedule changes or adjusting activities because of time, everyone was willing to help. It reminded me that leadership is about teamwork and supporting one another. 

Looking back, I am incredibly grateful to have experienced LDC from both perspectives.  As a delegate, I discovered my own confidence and passion for leadership. As a staff member, I had the privilege of helping others discover theirs. Returning to camp reminded me just how much one  week in the middle of nowhere surrounded by people you don’t know  can change someone’s life, just as it changed mine.  

To learn more about how you can be a part of LDC, visit our regional website at Leadership Development Center | Northern CA Coastal | American Red Cross.