Youth Leadership Programs: Green SuperCamp Bali

It’s amazing how life works sometimes.

As you know, we had been sharing our kids’ experiences and journey as they followed their enterprise ideas through to fruition. Certainly, as our learning and that of our children accelerated over the previous six months, other opportunities landed in our laps.

One such opportunity came in the form of a friend and a simple email.

She had attended one of the workshops we had been doing with our mentor, Paul Counsel. She sent us an email with a link to something, in her words, “pretty special”.

Being school teachers, and always being open to hearing about things that inspire children to think outside the square and follow enterprising ideas, the link our friend sent us truly was special.

Below is a snapshot of a concept that had us super excited and super motivated.

Discovering Green SuperCamp Bali

Green SuperCamp Bali was indeed a very unique and inspiring concept.

At the time, what captured us most was the combination of an extraordinary natural setting, forward-thinking education, leadership activities, learning skills and the clear intention to help children grow in confidence over a short period of time.

We had seen many schools and camps, but this felt different. It seemed to combine personal development, learning, sustainability and real-world experiences in a way that aligned strongly with what we were trying to foster through Enterprise for Kids.

Youth Leadership Programs That Build Confidence

The camp was held in the tropical paradise of Bali and connected with the world-renowned Green School campus.

From the materials we saw at the time, Green SuperCamp used a learning approach that aimed to develop life skills, learning skills, confidence, teamwork and leadership.

It was not just about children sitting and listening. It was about children participating, moving, trying, reflecting, building relationships and stepping outside their comfort zones.

That is why youth leadership programs can be so powerful. Children and teenagers often need experiences that help them discover what they are capable of outside their normal routines.

They need safe environments where they can practise confidence, communication, teamwork, responsibility and self-expression.

Learning Skills, Life Skills and Real-World Learning

One of the things that impressed us was the focus on learning skills as well as life skills.

We were especially interested because, as teachers, we had long believed that learning should feel meaningful, active and engaging. Children learn so much when they are physically involved, emotionally connected and given opportunities to participate.

Listening to some of the videos and stories at the time, we viewed teenagers describing large improvements in confidence, learning and self-belief.

Of course, every child’s experience is different. But what excited us was the possibility that a well-designed camp could help young people have breakthroughs in how they see themselves and what they believe they can do.

The current Green Camp Bali kids and youth camps continue to offer nature-based programs for children and teenagers, with a focus on adventure, sustainability and immersive learning.

A Learning Environment That Inspired Us

The SuperCamps were held at the Green School campus, a place that immediately fascinated us.

The founders of Green School, John and Cynthia Hardy, built a school that was intentionally close to nature and strongly connected to environmental education.

The school was never intended to feel like a standard city school. It was designed to be in the heart of nature itself.

We were inspired by the bamboo structures, the natural setting and the sense that education could look and feel completely different.

Green School Bali’s current description of its approach includes sustainability, community-integrated learning, entrepreneurial learning and a wall-less natural environment. That philosophy strongly connects with the kinds of real-world learning experiences we value for children.

You can learn more about the school through the official Green School Bali about page.

Sustainability, Nature and Leadership

Another thing that captured our attention was the way sustainability seemed to be built into the physical environment.

The original materials we viewed spoke about bamboo buildings, natural light, compost toilets, solar energy, gardens, animals, rivers and children learning in direct connection with the natural world.

For us, this mattered because leadership is not only about confidence and public speaking.

Leadership is also about taking responsibility for yourself, for others and for the world around you.

A youth leadership program that connects children with nature, sustainability, teamwork and personal growth can help young people see themselves as part of something bigger.

Social Learning and Self-Discovery

As we viewed the short movies of teens sharing their experiences after attending Green SuperCamp, we were struck by their personal insights.

They seemed to go through a journey of self-discovery where they built strong relationships with future leaders from around the world.

Many described Green SuperCamp as a life-changing experience.

They learnt to live in the moment and become more fully self-expressed.

They developed responsibility for themselves and each other. They also took part in activities outside their comfort zone.

Activities such as rope climbing, Balinese dancing, mud activities, flying fox, group challenges and practical projects all seemed to contribute to building self-confidence and leadership.

Confidence Building Through Challenge

We were completely amazed that Green SuperCamp seemed to have such a positive impact on kids in only a matter of days.

As teachers and parents, we wondered what schools could learn from this kind of model.

What if more children experienced education that developed confidence, leadership, sustainability, self-expression, practical skills and entrepreneurial thinking?

What if more children saw themselves as capable of leading, creating, contributing and thinking differently?

Why Green SuperCamp Bali Inspired Our Family

We were so inspired by Green SuperCamp that our three oldest kids were booked to attend the camp that year.

For us, the decision connected strongly to Enterprise for Kids.

We wanted our children to grow up with confidence, initiative, creativity, courage, responsibility and an entrepreneurial mindset. Green SuperCamp Bali seemed to offer experiences that supported those qualities.

This article became the beginning of a much bigger family story.

Green SuperCamp Bali Series

This post is part of our Green SuperCamp Bali series.

• Part 1: Youth Leadership Programs: Green SuperCamp Bali — why the camp first inspired us.
• Why Our Kids Wanted to Attend Green SuperCamp
• Flynn’s Green SuperCamp Bali Reflection
• Amber’s Green SuperCamp Reflection
• Jai’s Green SuperCamp Bali Experience
• Green School Bali: Leading the Way

We will let you know in future blogs how they go… although we think we already know the answer to that one! 🙂

Key Takeaway: Youth Leadership Programs Can Shape Confidence

Where to Next?

• Explore current Green Camp Bali kids and youth camps
• Read about Green School Bali’s learning approach
• Read why our kids wanted to attend Green SuperCamp
• Read Flynn’s Green SuperCamp Bali reflection
• Read Amber’s Green SuperCamp reflection
• Read Jai’s Green SuperCamp Bali experience

What kind of youth leadership program could help your child build confidence, courage and a bigger view of what is possible?