What former participants say about the program:

The camp has been operating for more than seventeen years, and students have always been very positive in their assessment of the weekend. The following comments are typical of the reactions of most students.

“The camp was a great experience. I made many friends and contacts that I can share ideas with in our Interact Club. It was also a great way to learn how to cooperate and work with other leaders. Overall, an awesome experience that I would definitely recommend.”….Zoe Lazaris-Brunner, Aldershot High School, Burlington. (2006)

“The leadership camp provided me with an extraordinary experience to connect with other motivated and passionate peers. My favorite activity was the canoe challenge because it required us to combine all of our leadership skills”….Julie Harmgardt, Blakelock High School, Oakville. (2006)
Jullie is now in her 4th year at Queens and has distinguished herself in amazing ways. We can all be proud of her and we count ourselves lucky to have had her at the camp as a student and as a Jr chap. You have to read her current bio.

“The camp opened my eyes to the opportunities with which I had to get involved. I always thought that there where not enough ways for me to make a difference, however, I learned that these opportunities were right in front of me. I just needed to take the initiative to join in and get involved.”….Paul Nogas, Assumption High School, Burlington. (2004)

“When I went to the Leadership Camp in 2005, it changed my life for the better. It helped me to not only trust people easier, but also how to be a leader without being loud or overpowering. I would recommend it to everyone.”….Jeanine D’Addario, Assumption High School, Burlington. (2005)

“The camp was literally one of the best experiences of my life. Meeting all those people, learning so much about myself, and challenging myself over and over again in that short weekend, definitely shaped the person I am today.”….Beth Milner, Aldershot High School, Burlington. (2005)

“This camp was the best time I have ever had. I got a chance to make many friends and contacts, but I also got a chance to learn what it meant to be a leader, and how to do it. If I could go back, I would in a heartbeat.”….Dalia Abbadi, Port Credit High School, Mississauga. (2005)

“Leadership camp was a lot of fun, and I actually did learn to become a better leader. I also met a lot of really nice people”….Darcy Shea, Aldershot High School, Burlington. (2006)

“Rotary Leadership Camp was a weekend I will never forget. I met so many fantastic people who I stay in touch with today. I came away with an awesome experience, to be a leader and work with other leaders like myself.”….Meagen McKeen, Abbey Park High School, Oakville. (2006)

2011

The following letters have been dictated to my computer’s Dragon Dictate programme from hand written notes created by the students at the 2011 Leadership Camp.

The transcriptions may not be perfect as the voice recognition system is not perfect but it’s 10 times easier and faster than hand typing.

Rotary club Burlington Central
I really want to thank you for providing me with this amazing opportunity. Over these 3 days I have learned so much and met so many great people. Without your help I could never have been the person I am now. This is been the highlight of my year. Thank you. (signature unreadable)

Thank you so much for the amazing experience. We appreciate it. I had a lot of fun and made amazing friends.
Thank you Kalsum

Thank you to the Burlington Rotary club.
Thank you for sponsoring us to send us to this camp. It was a great experience. We learned so much and had so much fun, thanks a lot for this. It was an experience of a lifetime. thanks.
Jordan from Georgetown

Hi there Rotarians of Rotary club Burlington
I’m trying not to write a very formal letter because I feel like some of the most important things I learned over this fantastic camp you’re so generous graciously organized is that you have to have some fun even if things are heading for the cliffs. Thank you for the opportunity for the hugs, laughs, great food and pure love and dedication you’ve dedicated your lives towards. I’ll always remember to have warm socks but a warmer heart.
sincerely Shalalka

Dear Rotary club of Burlington
thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to participate in such an exceptional experience. My time was really worthwhile and I learned so many aspects of leadership and it helped me realize my true leadership potential. I also met some amazing inspirational people who I will always be in contact with. thanks so much.
Aditi

Hi there, thank you so much! Seriously, this camp has changed my life! Last year as a participant, this year is a junior chap I have made so many friends have had so many good times lots of love
Natasha

Thank you so much for such a positive experience, I met some truly awesome people and had a great time and - her heart grew 3 times that weekend.
Love Savannah

Hi my lovely club
Thank you so much for giving me an opportunity to go to leadership camp. Had a lot of fun, made new friends and learned a lot of leadership skills and teamwork. The challenges you gave us were fun but not easy. The only thing I would change on the camp is that it could last longer I had so much fun that I don’t want to go home yet .
your exchange student
Katri
PS the spiderweb and trust fall were the best

Dear Burlington Central Rotary club thank you so much for an amazing, unforgettable weekend. I know that you put countless hours of planning organization and commitment into ensuring the educational experience that we had was so wonderful. I’m so grateful for all of the time, effort and passion that you have given us out of your personal initiative. I have learned so much about myself, leadership and working with others this weekend and it will take my new skills and ideas back home with me so I can use my full potential, once again thank you so much for this experience. In all of your hard work
Harriet Yan

Thank you so much for an unforgettable weekend! At first I was a little nervous about coming because I didn’t know what to expect but I am so happy I was able to come and partake in an incredible weekend. I have learned so much in ways I never have expected and I made so many new and amazing friends that enhanced my weekend thank you.
Emily

Thank you I can’t even explain how much I’ve enjoyed this! I have met new people, experienced new things and new concepts. Have never really been to a camp like this. I would recommend this camp for everyone who is looking to gain knowledge and have fun! I hope that I can come back next year as a junior chap. This camp has just been so much fun and I want more people to find out about this thank you so much.
Derek

To Burlington Rotary club, being here, enjoying the weather and the leadership opportunities, really makes me thank you for your commendable effort. It was a wonderful place to be amongst the leaders and learn from our and their mistakes. I made countless good friends that I would never have I would remember for a lifetime to come. For those countless things I would extend my thanks to your club and the organizers
Shalok

Thank you! Thank you!
This weekend has been one of the best in my life. I will never forget it and will never be the same leader as before
love Rohan
PS you all rock

Dear Burlington central thank you so much for letting us experience such great times at this camp. We learned a lot, matured and understood the importance of a leader. We can all take back many skills in point is, that we can implement into our daily lives. We are all leaders and one day we will be a means to help serve our country and the rest of the world. Once again thank you very much sincerely
Danielle

To the Burlington Central club
thank you so much for this opportunity! It gave me great memories and opened my eyes to so many amazing things that are available to us like the exchange program. This is been one of my favorite weekends and I will remember it for the rest my life. I made friends that I feel as if I’ve known them my whole life and I sit here thinking I don’t want to leave because I had so much fun and I thank you for that. I love how when you come here you are not judged and not made fun of and you don’t have to be afraid or ashamed to show who you are right away. Everyone was open and kind and inviting and I it was so easy to make friends.. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed as hard as I did this weekend and I felt so accepted I’m going to miss everyone I leave but I know we will stay in touch because of how close we got. I wish this experience could last longer because everyone is just so wonderful and all the activities you guys prepared for us were amazing and I can’t thank you enough for this experience, I will take this experience with me for the rest of my life I hope and come back next year thank you again
from Heidi

Dear Burlington Rotary club
I would like 2 thank you so much for giving me the chance to experience this weekend . I have learned and will take away so much from it! I hope that I can be a better person and leader from doing it, and use what I have learned in ways you would be proud. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity–it will never be forgotten!
Sincerely Jenna

The Rotary club of Burlington
thank you so much for allowing me to be part of such an incredible experience. Never been to camp before and the experience of being with other incredible people was unforgettable. This changed my life!!
Thank you Rudy

To Rotary club Burlington
I’m so thankful that your club has taken the time to plan and organize and run this. I found it was a really eye-opening weekend, and unlike anything I’ve participated in before. I can definitely take away a lot from this experience, especially the teamwork and strategizing aspects. Most importantly I realised I haven’t been using my leadership skills to the fullest. I’m so pleased I was able to see this through your camp.
Thank you so much sincerely
Tyler Thomas

Thank you!
Thanks for the awesome experience and the great memories. This is an amazing thing that you guys are doing here.
Andrew

thank you!
This weekend with the Rotary club really helped open my eyes to leadership roles when working in teams, and increased my knowledge of leadership.
From Evan

to the Rotary club of Burlington
thank you so much for providing me with an experience I will never forget! This leadership camp allowed me to meet new friends, internationally even, whom I know I will stay in touch with, as well as strengthening my skills as a leader. I had a great weekend and again, I thank you for it. thanks
Joslyn

I would like to personally thank you for allowing me this amazing experience. This weekend I grew so much as a leader and it was a wonderful life lasting experience. This weekend I learned a lot about myself as a leader. I learned to really stand up and use my abilities as a leader and not to try and be a follower. This weekend was an amazing weekend where we learned a lot about ourselves and met many new lifelong friends. Once again I would like to thank you so much for this great experience to grow as a leader. Thank you
Jordan Mara

to the Burlington Rotary club
I am writing to thank you for awesome weekend! I had a really great time and learned a lot, and I really think I got a lot out of the weekend. I really had my confidence boosted and I'm feeling much more sure of myself. Your camp really helped me to feel more sure of myself and to be more decisive. Thank you for helping me develop my leadership abilities
Nathan

Dear Burlington Rotary club
thank you very much for providing an interesting leadership camp for people in Halton and around the world. The camp was a unique enriching experience for all leaders. The food was excellent and the staff very friendly. The ammenities were very good and it results in a fun time at Rotary leadership camp thank you very much
Thomas

Dear Burlington Central Rotary club
thanks for an awesome weekend! I met tons of new friends, and improved on my leadership skills thanks
Sarah

Dear Burlington Rotary club
I would like to personally thank you for allowing me the chance to participate in this activity. The people I met, and memories I made will never be forgotten, thanks again Chantelle

thank you for this opportunity. I had so much fun, and now have a new set of communication skills. Much better than a Friday at school
Laura

dear Burlington Central Rotary club
Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to to participate in this leadership Camp. I made a lot of great friends and met fantastic people, learned many valuable lessons that will aid me in becoming a better leader within my school and my community, and ultimately had an incredible time. I've even learned things about myself and discovered things about myself that have made me a better person. I loved the camp and had an absolutely fantastic experience and would do it again in a heartbeat thanks again Sarah

the Burlington Rotary club
Thank you so much for a spectacular weekend! It was nice to get away from ordinary life and spend a few days away and separated from everyone else it was a lot of fun, I learned so many new amazing things. I also met so many new people with such dynamic and unique personalities. I really appreciate your hard work preparing an event so unforgettable!
Thank you so much again
Zainab Fatima

The Rotary club of Burlington Central
I really appreciate everything you did to make us have fun and made us learn different things. Thank you so much for this leadership camp in which I learned a lot. I'm very happy as an exchange student here because I could meet other people and also had new experiences. In all of this new experiences are going to make me better to make my country a better place and also a better world thank you so much.
Gabriella

The Rotary club of Burlington Central
Thank you so much for the opportunity to attend this leadership camp. The organization effort and funding is much appreciated. This weekend assisted me in becoming a better leader, being in a setting with all other leaders. I think this camp should be extended making it a mandatory excursion for all high schools in every grade. It is definitely a worthwhile experience!
Thanks again
Holly Gordon