Junior Leadership Program

Camp Helper Sign-Up

CAMP TRAINING SESSION: MAY 9TH 3-4:30PM

Because of everyone’s changing availability this summer, I will wait until the 9th to ask for final camp commitments. Please arrive on/provide by the 9th the list of camps you will be helping with.

Do NOT stress if you can’t make this date work.

This was the date that worked for almost everyone when I last compiled your feedback. I know that life is insanely busy in the spring. I do not want this to add to an already packed day, or get in the way of a “go nowhere/attend to things at home” day.

If you cannot make the training session and ATTENDED camp in 2025:

Contact me about setting up a time to chat on the phone or swing by for a short run through of expectations.

If you cannot make the training session and DID NOT attended camp in 2025 or have not been part of BMK before:

Contact me to set up a time to come out and get a tour and learn about how the camps are run or the changes since you were last here.

Parents: you are welcome to stay and listen in, or hang out in timber or in workshop room- feel free to bring along work/book/nothing at all.

**Please plan on parking facing up the hill as you do in camp, or drop off like in camp. We will meet inside BMK so just head around back and into the kitchen when you arrive. Yes, ice cream will be provided.

There are still spots in baking camp, the entrepreneur workshop, and archery camp. If you/ your child has friends who would want to join next year as a junior leader, they can attend as a camper this summer and be eligible to apply for summer 2027.

Contact:

Text: 319-325-3464

Email: beckysmindfulkitchen@gmail.com

Location: 4139 Crosheck Rd NE, Solon, IA 52333

For Campers

Two-day camps run from 9:00am–1:00pm each day.
One-day camps run from 9:00am–4:00pm.

For Helpers

Helpers should plan to arrive between 8:40–8:50am. You will help with any last-minute set-up and be ready to assist with camper drop-off.

If you are coming to camp with a younger sibling, your sibling can either come early with you, or you can arrive at the normal camp start time. The same applies to pick-up. Your sibling can hang out after camp, or you can leave at the regular end time. This is completely up to parents. This program is not meant to add stress or create scheduling headaches. Please do what works best for your family.

Pick-Up on Day 1

Helpers should plan on staying until about 1:30pm. This extra time is used for additional clean-up, setting up for the next day, and a short debrief. We talk through how Day 1 went, any changes to the plan for Day 2, great moments you noticed from campers, and anything important to share moving forward. More detail on this will be covered during spring training.

Day 2 (or Full-Day Camps)

For two-day camps, Day 2 pick-up is usually closer to 1:45pm. This will be confirmed on Monday after we see how long clean-up and reset take and how many helpers we have.
If you don’t have flexibility and need a set time now, plan on 1:30pm for both days to make things easy.

During Day 2 clean-up and debrief, we revisit what improved, what was challenging, obstacles or failures, and moments you were proud of. We also take time to call out leadership moments you saw in each other and meaningful moments from campers.

For full-day camps, we check in briefly at lunch to see how things are going, then do a full debrief at the end of the day. Pick-up is typically around 4:30pm.

The Why

This extended time is essential to making this program more than “I helped at a camp.” These conversations mirror the same discussions, questions, and lessons I bring to adults ranging from executives to NFL rookies earlier in the summer. I highly encourage helping with more than one camp. Those who participate in multiple camps get the added benefit of applying these lessons again and seeing why they matter.

A note:

Summer schedules are unpredictable. Life happens. If staying after camp is not possible, or if you need to be picked up early or dropped off late, please don’t stress. Just let me know as soon as possible so I can plan accordingly.

For Parents

Please help spread the word about some of the more advanced camp options this summer. In past years, I moved away from offering older-kid-only camps, so some families may not realize these opportunities are available again. Word of mouth is how BMK has always grown, so thank you.

Updates on older kid only camps:

As part of theBaking camp, June 19th,I have added eclairs and cream puffs to the menu- I HIGHLY recommend this camp for those helping the following week as the choux dough technique will be used in that one as well.

Archery & First Aid combines archery instruction with practical, life-saving first aid and CPR skills. This camp does not include certification, but it does focus on real-world skills campers can carry with them. For campers who have attended fire camps in the past and demonstrate strong safety awareness, they can work on their fire building skills.

For entrepreneur-minded campers, we have added a Junior Entrepreneur Workshop for those ages 12 +. They can design their own Sephora-inspired beauty line with hair, skincare, or makeup products. A spa line with candles, soaps, face masks, or bath soaks. Or jewelry line with earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. They can also come with no interest in entrepreneurship and still get just as much out of it.

TheFeed Yourself Camp is focused on independence in the kitchen- not just baking cookies or boxed mac and cheese- but learning the building blocks that will allow them to create endless meals from scratch and the confidence to keep building on their own. Your entire family will benefit from this one!

There is also one spot availablein the August baking competition.

(And yes, another form to fill out- don’t worry, it is a quick one, and will help me make life easier for everyone this spring/summer. PLUS I need your shirt order info so I can have one ready for you at camp!)