Young Adults Leadership Program

Empowering young adults who’ve experienced cancer to confidently pursue adult lives of intention, service, and leadership.

As you move into the next stage of your life, you likely have many questions— what makes you unique? What things are you passionate about and how can you make a difference in the world? What does a good leader look like and how can you be one? 

Start to answer these questions and others in the Young Adults Leadership Program! Come make new friends while you learn more about yourself and grow your leadership skills. 

Note for high school seniors before applying: It’s ok to not be sure what you are doing in the Fall. Sometimes the week of the YA program is close to the date when students go to college for the first time. If you have any interest in coming to the YA program, please fill out an application. We will work with you closer to August to check that the dates still work.  

Year 1: You’ll spend most of your time with your Young Adult (YA) group learning about and building on your strengths. You’ll learn what these strengths are with the Clifton Strengths Assessment. Through Leadership Sessions, team-building activities, and regular camp activities, you’ll explore how Strengths-Based leadership works. As a group, you and the other Year 1 YAs will consult with the Junior and Senior Camp Program Directors. Together, you’ll create and run a program for each camp at the end of the week. 

Year 2: In your second year, you’ll put your strengths into action in two main ways. First, you’ll co-lead some of the Leadership Sessions with the YA Program Advisors for the Year 1 YA’s. Second, you’ll team up with an RMC counselor or staff member to individually plan and lead an activity that benefits the camp based on your strengths. You might work on some of this planning before camp through email or virtual meetings. At the end of the week, you’ll get a certificate for taking part, and we’ll celebrate your contributions to camp! 

Both Years: You’ll have fun at camp! There will be regular camp activities like Ropes Course, Lake, Cooking, Swimming, and other fun activities. While the week has a schedule and goals for YA participants, there’s room to make changes based on the group’s interests and energy. 

Eligibility:  

• Childhood cancer patient or sibling (siblings must have been a former RMC camper)
• Ages 18-21
• Able to live independently 
• A physical exam within 12 months of camp, using the Ronald McDonald Camp YA physical form
• Background clearances (PA child abuse, FBI, criminal background check)
• A willing spirit!