Girl Scouts of Citrus Council launched our first-ever Camp CEO® event this past July 12-17, 2008. We had 19 girl participants, including some first time Girl Scouts, and 14 executive female leaders from the Central Florida area.
The girls were paired with a CEO mentor that was selected just for them based on their aspirations and future career goals. Throughout the week, the girls discovered more about themselves, built their business skills through workshops, and applied their new skills by working together in “companies” to create a product for day camp. The companies had to deal with “wrenches” in their plans and emergencies that required crisis communication, and two companies had to deal with a potential merger. Skill-building workshops included networking, negotiating, financial management, leadership, and etiquette.
They also had a rare opportunity to learn more about the leadership journey of each CEO through a special session called "Dreaming the Future". The girls learned that the road to becoming an executive is not always straight and narrow. Sometimes it is filled with road blocks and detours. When the girls had an opportunity to take the floor during a final “Dreaming My Future” session, they could clearly state how Camp CEO® had impacted their ability to take action and make their dreams a reality, and change the face of the professional world. The event was sponsored by Bright House Networks, Boyken International, Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, Pearls for Women, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and the University of Central Florida. On evaluations, girls indicated the camp helped them develop confidence, leadership, and teamwork, and 83% of girls indicated Camp CEO® increased their confidence to succeed in the business world. Following are some quotes from participants:
In response to, “How has Camp CEO® shaped your career goals and/or helped you develop leadership skills that you will use in the future?”
• I feel like I have clearer goals for myself.
• I made a decision about what I want to be when I get older.
• I finally have an idea of what I want to do.
• It’s changed my life.
In response to, “How will you use what you’ve learned at Camp CEO®?”
• I’m going to apply it to my everyday life
• I will keep for me forever. I have learned a lot. I have future plans … new ones.
• First off I’m changing my high school application, all APC classes. I was afraid of failing before.
• I will become a CEO.
In response to, “Please tell us how you have benefited from participating in this program, and if so, why you feel other girls should sign up too.”
• Girls need to take over the business world. This really helps.
• Camp CEO® has been a wonderful experience for me, and I feel that it would benefit any girl that signed up for it; there is so much to learn.
• I learned I could do anything. This camp was amazing.
• Scientifically a bee shouldn’t be able to fly, but it does. I’m a bee and I will soar!
• No matter what happens you can do anything and don’t ever let anyone tell you any different.
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