Advanced Leadership Program (Entering 10th grade through recent graduates)
$0.00
Advanced Leadership Program
Teens entering 10th grade through recent graduates
(I love when former helpers stop by and jump in during college breaks.)
**You do NOT need to have attended BMK camps before, but you are required to attend a spring intro/planning session.
The BMK Advanced Leadership Program is built for teens who want more than volunteer hours. It’s for teens who want real responsibility, real experience, and leadership training that lasts far beyond high school.
This is a program for teens who are ready to step into roles where their choices matter. Where they are trusted. Where their voice carries weight. And where they learn how to lead themselves first so they can lead others well.
There is no cost to participate. Teens in the program are expected to help with at least two camps over the summer. If only one ends up being possible once the schedule is released, I will—as always—take things case by case.
What Teens Will Learn and Lead
Participants help teach and guide younger campers in a wide range of areas:
• Cooking and kitchen skills
• Fire making and outdoor safety
• Archery
• Art and creative projects
• Animal care and farm chores
• Mindfulness and emotional awareness
• Leadership and group management
• Problem-solving, teamwork, and time management
• Reading the moment and adjusting plans quickly
BMK camps are fast-paced and unpredictable in the best ways. Plans change. Kids surprise you. Animals have their own agenda. Weather does what it wants. All of it becomes a training ground for leadership.
Teens learn how to adapt without shutting down, how to communicate clearly under pressure, how to notice what’s happening around them, and how to step in before a small problem becomes a big one.
Over time, they learn to anticipate needs, hold boundaries, and stay steady when the moment isn’t. They learn to operate with integrity even when no one is watching. That’s leadership.
Why This Program Matters
The Advanced Leadership Program is something teens carry with them far beyond a summer at BMK.
It builds the kind of skills that colleges, employers, and scholarships look for but rarely see:
• Initiative
• Accountability
• Emotional control
• Adaptability
• Communication
• Time management
• Confidence under pressure
• Kindness and respect as non-negotiables
This is not shadowing. Teens are not passive. They are leading.
Participants gain:
• Autonomy to run activities
• Input on camp programming (for those enrolled before January)
• Opportunities to design lessons and lead them
• Real responsibility
• Silver Cord volunteer hours
• The confidence that comes from doing hard things
• Letters of recommendation after more than one year of participation or exceptional engagement
Second-year participants also receive leadership titles they can use on college, scholarship, and job applications. There is nothing else like BMK on a resume because nothing else offers this level of responsibility, real-life experience, or freedom to lead.
Redefining Leadership as Lifestyle not Job Title
Leadership here is not about being the loudest voice or the one in charge. It’s about how you behave when the moment asks something of you.
It’s choosing kindness when it would be easier not to.
It’s noticing what needs to be done and doing it without waiting to be told.
It’s staying calm when things get messy.
It’s reading the room.
It’s being the person others can rely on.
The Advanced Leadership Program trains teens to choose the handle that holds—over and over again—so they can take these skills into every part of their lives.
Support, Coaching, and Growth
All participants attend a pre-camp planning meeting where we set personal leadership goals. Throughout the summer, they receive direct, honest feedback and guidance.
I set the bar high because I know they can meet it. And once they do, I help them raise it themselves. My job is to give teens the tools, confidence, and responsibility needed to step into their own leadership—here and wherever they go next.
Camps Available to Lead
• Outdoor adventure camps (fire making, archery, wilderness skills)
• Cooking-focused camps
• Art and creative camps
• DIY Sephora-style camps
• Farm and animal-based camps (baby goats, chickens, timber time)
• Single-day and half-day options
Every camp includes time outdoors, time with animals, and genuine opportunities for teens to practice and grow their leadership.
Application Form
Leadership Program WAIVER, RELEASE, AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
(For Minor Participants)
In consideration of my child being permitted to participate in the leadership program and related activities at Becky’s Mindful Kitchen (“BMK”), I, the undersigned parent or legal guardian, knowingly and voluntarily agree to the following terms on behalf of myself and my child.
Assumption of Risk
I acknowledge that participation in activities at Becky’s Mindful Kitchen involves inherent and foreseeable risks that cannot be eliminated, even with the exercise of reasonable care and supervision. These risks may result in physical injury, emotional injury, illness, permanent disability, death, or property damage.
Activities may include, but are not limited to: interaction with farm animals (including goats and chickens); treehouse use; timber and outdoor play; uneven or natural terrain; ninja-style obstacles; zip lines; climbing elements; cooking and baking activities (including use of ovens, stovetops, knives, and kitchen tools); fire starting; pizza oven use; hatchets; trail hiking; exposure to insects, animals, weather conditions, dirt, and other natural elements. This list is not exhaustive, and I understand that my child may participate in activities not specifically listed.
I knowingly and voluntarily assume all risks, known and unknown, inherent in or related to my child’s participation in BMK activities.
Release and Waiver of Liability
On behalf of myself, my child, and our respective heirs, assigns, personal representatives, and estates, I hereby release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue Becky’s Mindful Kitchen, its owners, officers, employees, volunteers, participants, agents, and all other persons or entities acting on their behalf (collectively, the “Releasees”) from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages, or liabilities arising out of or related to my child’s participation in BMK activities, including claims arising from the negligence of the Releasees, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
This release does not apply to claims arising from intentional misconduct.
Indemnification
I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Releasees from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of or related to my child’s participation in BMK activities or my breach of this agreement.
Medical Representation and Health Policy
I represent that my child is physically and medically able to participate in BMK activities and has no condition that would prevent safe participation, or that I knowingly assume all risks associated with any such condition.
I agree not to allow my child to attend a BMK event if they have experienced fever, vomiting, or diarrhea within the preceding 24 hours.
Allergies and Medical Information
I understand and agree that all allergies, medical conditions, or special needs must be communicated directly to Becky Schmooke.
Behavior Expectations
I understand that if my child’s behavior is unsafe, disruptive, or inappropriate and does not resolve after verbal redirection, I may be required to pick up my child immediately. In such cases, my child may not be permitted to return, and no refunds will be issued.
Jurisdiction, Governing Law, and Severability
I agree that any legal action arising out of or related to this agreement or participation in BMK activities shall be brought exclusively in the state in which Becky’s Mindful Kitchen is located, and that the substantive laws of that state shall apply. If any portion of this agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
Photography and Media Release
I grant Becky’s Mindful Kitchen permission to use photographs and/or video recordings of my child taken during the event for promotional, educational, or marketing purposes, including use on websites and social media, without compensation.
Acknowledgment and Acceptance
By signing this agreement, I acknowledge that I have carefully read and fully understand this document. I understand that this is a release of liability and a legally binding agreement. I understand that by agreeing to this waiver, I may be waiving important legal rights, including the right to sue for negligence. If I am signing on behalf of a minor, I affirm that I have the legal authority to do so and that I consent to the minor’s participation in BMK activities.
I understand that my child may not be permitted to participate in the event if I do not agree to the terms of this waiver.