Students learn importance of leadership and teamwork in achieving goals

St. Louis, Wednesday, June 20, 2007 - Twenty Red Cross youth volunteers from the St. Louis area recently attended a three-day Leadership Development Camp sponsored by the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter at the YMCA's Trout Lodge near Potosi, Missouri. The selected youth are active members of YouthCorps, contribute to at least one community service project and Red Cross teaching opportunity each year, and are certified in CPR, First Aid, and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

"Leadership Development Camp enables youth to become leaders - both now and in the future - by showing them how to apply their skills and values to YouthCorps, school activities, and in their communities," said Deane Adam, director of youth services for the St. Louis Area Chapter.

The American Red Cross Leadership Development Camp is designed to emphasize the importance of leadership and teamwork while boosting the self-esteem of young volunteers. During the experience, the participants completed a number of physical activities, including a high ropes course and an alpine swing. After each activity, advisors reinforced the skills needed to achieve the challenges. By the end of the week, through various learning opportunities conducted both inside the classroom and outdoors, the youth volunteers learned that leadership is the ability to push themselves, to think on their feet, and to support and trust each other. Funding for Leadership Development Camp was provided in part by an award from the Youth Opportunities Program of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, which provided tax credits to support YouthCorps.

"It was extremely important for these young volunteers to get to know one another and push themselves past their comfort zones while learning new skills in leadership and team support," continued Adam. "During the challenge activities, it was exciting to see each of them accept their unique responsibility in order for the group to succeed."

The following youth from area schools attended Leadership Development Camp:

• Belleville West:
  Alexandria Hercz
  Jamie Renneker
  Caitlyn Sutton
  Stefani Sutton
  
  
• Bishop DuBourg:
  Lauren Naegeli
  Tracee Schestak
  Shelley Shaw
  
  
• Freeburg, IL:
  Tabitha Pitt
  Sheilah Self
  
  
• Hazelwood Central:
  Aaron Hartfield
  Shaun Morganfield
  
  
• Metro:
  Aaron Chunn
  
  
• MICDS:
  Haley Mayenkar
  
  
• O'Fallon, IL:
  Bridget Adams
  Justin Kerns
  Traleesa Parker
  Kara Thomas
  
  
• Parkway North:
  Noah Pearlstone
  Amit Shintre
  
  
• St. Joseph's Academy:
  Yarel Belanger
  

About the Red Cross YouthCorps Program:
The American Red Cross YouthCorps Program is designed for middle school and high school teens. YouthCorps trains individuals in the programs and services of the American Red Cross during after-school group sessions held once a week. Training focuses on health and safety and disaster preparedness. The Red Cross curriculum is then taught throughout area schools by the YouthCorps members, who are also active in community outreach through various service projects.

To start a YouthCorps group in an area school, students need a school sponsor, a classroom where the group can meet, and at least six middle school or high school students interested in peer teaching and service projects. For more information about the Red Cross YouthCorps program and other youth services provided by the St. Louis Area Chapter, please call 314.516.2717, or log on to the Chapter's website at www.redcrossstl.org.

About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 90 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 410,000 times each year. The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.

# # #