By Latisha Humphries P '31
Director of Community Engagement and Belonging
This June, nine Wellington students traveled to Camp Miniwanca in Michigan to participate in the National Leadership Conference—a week-long immersive leadership experience that brought together students from across the country.
Unlike many conferences where students spend most of their time listening to presentations, Camp Miniwanca asks participants to practice leadership. Every element of the week is intentionally designed to help students better understand themselves, build authentic relationships, and learn how to lead within a diverse community.
Throughout the week, students participated in daily leadership groups, interactive workshops, community discussions, outdoor challenge experiences, and large-group assemblies. They were intentionally placed in small groups with students they had never met before, representing different regions, backgrounds, identities, and life experiences. Without the distraction of cell phones, students were encouraged to be fully present, engage in meaningful conversations, and build genuine connections.
Rather than focusing on titles or positions, the conference emphasized leadership as a daily practice rooted in courage, empathy, curiosity, responsibility, and service to others.
Some of the experiences students participated in included:
- Small-group leadership sessions centered on self-awareness, communication, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Challenge courses and outdoor experiences designed to build trust, resilience, and confidence.
- Community-building activities that required students to work alongside peers from across the country.
- Reflection sessions that encouraged students to examine their values, leadership styles, and personal growth.
- Workshops exploring topics such as identity, belonging, ethical leadership, and creating positive change within their schools and communities.
- Daily opportunities to lead, receive feedback, and reflect on how their actions impacted others.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the conference was watching our students step outside of their comfort zones. They introduced themselves to strangers, shared their stories, listened deeply to experiences different from their own, and formed friendships that crossed geographic, cultural, and social boundaries. By the end of the week, many described feeling more confident, more connected, and more prepared to lead with authenticity.
The experience also challenged students to think beyond themselves. Leadership was consistently framed not as personal achievement, but as the responsibility to strengthen the communities they are part of.
Our students represented Wellington exceptionally well. They embraced every opportunity presented to them, approached new experiences with openness and curiosity, and demonstrated the values we hope to cultivate in every member of our community.
As we begin the new school year, this group will continue building on what they learned by helping to develop leadership opportunities for their peers, ensuring that the impact of Camp Miniwanca extends well beyond one week in June.