NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CAMP
PROGRAM OVERVIEW

A FOUR DAY PROGRAM GROWING YOUNG AUSTRALIAN LEADERS

National Leadership Camp is a highly interactive, challenging and motivating program that brings together students from across Australia. The program focuses on developing personal character and a sense of value, identity and purpose whilst also enhancing leadership and character resiliency skills.

Over four jam-packed days, the National Leadership Camp will delve into values, service, grit and vision to enable leadership growth and development. What sets the National Leadership Camp apart is the small group experience enabling mentored discussion and reflection. This unique opportunity allows students to unpack the highly engaging keynote speakers, interactive seminars and outdoor team challenges that make up the remainder of the program.

PAST SPEAKERS INCLUDE

Caitlin Bassett
Caitlin Bassett
Lifeguard Maxi
Lifeguard Maxi
Hannah Darlington
Hannah Darlington
Matt Purcell
Matt Purcell
Pip Russel
Pip Russel
David Kosh
David Kosh
Anika Learoyd
Anika Learoyd
Robyn Moore
Robyn Moore
Xavier Campbell
Xavier Campbell
Barnaby Howarth
Barnaby Howarth
Zottie Dottie
Zottie Dottie
Nathan Strempel
Nathan Strempel
Matt de Groot
Matt de Groot
Mike Baird
Mike Baird
Baxter Holt
Baxter Holt
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DAY 1 - VALUES

Our first day at camp is all about getting to know YOU! Day 1 offers an exciting introduction into National Leadership Camp through the lens of understanding and discovering our values. Our values become the cornerstone of not only who we are but how we will lead and help us to create a foundation for strong leadership. 

  • Welcome to National Leadership Camp  
  • Meet you Mentors and fellow small group  
  • Small Group Time 
  • Leadership Talk – Keynote Speaker #1 – Values – What do you stand for and how do you values shape who you are and inform your leadership? 
  • National Leadership Camp – Team challenge #1 – Small Group v Small Group (Get ready to compete in an brain teasing, competitive and creative team challenge, which team will reign supreme?) 

DAY 2 - SERVICE

Diving into Day 2, delegates will start with exciting keynote addresses from Australia’s best leaders who centre their leadership journey around service and serving others. Delegates will continue to spend time with fellow delegates, building connection and overcoming team challenges together! 

  • Small Group Time 
  • Leadership Talk – Keynote Speaker #2 – Service – Who you are is how you lead – how does your leadership and experience allow you to serve and impact your community? 
  • National Leadership Camp – Team challenge #2 – Small Group v Small Group – A series of physical outdoor challenges that will see small groups work together, problem solve and dig deep for small group victory.  
  • Hear from your Mentors – we learn from others experiences and the sharing of story. Our mentors share from their lives around their leadership and the moments that impacted and shaped them.  
  • Evening session – an opportunity to connect with and hear from the wider National Leadership Camp cohort. 

DAY 3 - GRIT

It’s all about GRIT! Day 3 at National Leadership Camp is how we can be resilient and courageous in enduring the challenges that are thrown our way as leaders! Grit day offers more small group discussion, keynote speakers and outdoor activities with mentors and MORE! 

  • Small Group Time 
  • Leadership Talk – Keynote Speaker #3/4 – Grit – in the face of adversity or long-term goals, what is our mindset and what do we need to employ to overcome this? We have two epic keynote speakers join us on Day 3.  
  • National Leadership Camp – Team challenge #3 – Where technology and the arts meet National Leadership Camp – explore our theme through the lens of creativity and teamwork. All teams will be showcased, provided with feedback and scored by our encouraging, expert judging panel and celebrated by the Camp cohort.  

 

DAY 4 - VISION

Looking to the future! For our last jam-packed day at camp, delegates are encouraged to look to the things they have learnt and how they can apply them to their leadership journey post camp and in their own communities. 

  • Final Small Group Time 
  • Leadership Talk – Keynote Speaker #5 – Vision – taking all we have learnt from National Leadership Camp and making a plan to execute our vison.  
  • Today we solidify the impact we want to have in our leadership and the steps we will take to get there in the next 6 – 12 months.  
  • Hear from our Agents (The Agents are the selected small group of returning delegates who attended the year before) They share their experience and tips and advice from a former delegate.  
  • Parent / guardian session for supporting their young leaders post National Leadership Camp 
  • Goodbye, thank you and opportunities to stay involved 

 

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NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CAMP HAS TAUGHT ME THAT LEADERSHIP SKILLS ARE NOT ONLY USED IN SCHOOL BUT IN LIFE TOO. IT’S HARD TO PUT INTO WORDS WHAT THIS CAMP HAS DONE FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO WELCOMED INTO AN AMAZING GROUP. IT HAS GIVEN ME THE CONFIDENCE, SKILLS, AND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES TO LIVE MY LIFE WELL.

Yasmin – WA - Year 11 Student

VALUES. SERVICE. GRIT. VISION.

Values, service, grit and vision are the foundation to an authentic leader. Each day at National Leadership Camp is framed with a theme per day to dive deep into how we can lead ourselves and lead others.  To help us explore the particular theme of the day, the program (see below) is written to enhance, excite and challenge students understanding. We operate through an experience based program where young people who attend National Leadership Camp can not only hear great ideas but are able to put them into action in a safe and fun environment.

THE PROGRAM

Our program is based on over 16 years of experience running National Leadership Camp. The program is jam-packed and designed to make the most of the 4 days we have together. Throughout the 4 days, students are broken into small groups of approximately 10 other students. This small group is lead by 3 adult mentors who are specifically chosen by Burn Bright. The program is designed to have a variety of elements to create a holistic experience for everyone who attends. Each day, students participate in small group discussions, large teamwork based group challenges, listen to inspiring speakers from around Australia and New Zealand and are challenged and encouraged to think about what leadership means for them.

OUR SPEAKERS

Every year National Leadership Camp hosts a range of Australian leaders from different spheres and walks of life. We invite people who share their story and their learnings from their time as a leader and who bring immense experience and wisdom to the National Leadership Camp Delegates.  Past speakers have included Robyn Moore, Lifeguard Maxi, Hannah Darlington, Nathan Strempel, Matt De Groot, Lisa Griffiths, Pip Russell, Matt Purcell, Nathan Hulls, David Koch, Barnaby Howarth, Mike Baird and more! There are lots of surprises in store for next camp! Watch this space.

OUR MENTORS

Our fabulous and amazing team are the people who bring National Leadership Camp to life! We are lucky to have volunteers who come from all parts of Australia and New Zealand. These people give up their time because they understand and know the impact the National Leadership Camp has on young people. Our camps have such an inspiring effect and relevance, that many students decide to return to Burn Bright post their secondary schooling to ‘pay back’ and become Mentors to the next generation of leaders.

Mentor Applications Open Now

I HAVE FOUND THIS EXPERIENCE CHALLENGING YET HIGHLY REWARDING. I AM THANKFUL TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF EVERY SECOND OF THIS AND I FEEL THAT MY LIFE HAS BEEN CHANGED FOR THE BETTER

Joel – NSW - Year 11 Student

WANT TO ATTEND NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CAMP?

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST AND WE HANDLE THE REST

If you are 15-18 and want to attend National Leadership Camp this year, let us know by filling out the form here.

When you fill it out, we’ll get the ball rolling on finding a way to get you to camp and that starts by reaching out to your parent or guardian whose details you put down.

MIND SHIFTING IMPACT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

National Leadership Camp fosters an increase in positive emotion, more desire engage in passions and hobbies, higher recognition of fulfilling relationships, stronger connection to a sense “life purpose” plus a higher opinion of one’s own accomplishments.

This data is collected by an independent organisation, Assessing Wellbeing In Education (AWE). This data is collected through a pre, and post program survey, completed by students who attend the program. AWE uses a collection of validated psychometric scales to assess individuals subjective wellbeing: experiences, feelings, functioning, and perceptions of how their lives are going.

RESILIENCE

SELF-EFFICACY

Meaning

Accomplishment

positive emotion

Engagement

Relationships

Total Wellbeing

WOW OUR SON CAME BACK FROM CAMP AN EVEN MORE DRIVEN TEEN THEN WHAT HE WAS BEFORE. HE LOVED EVERY MINUTE AND SAID IT CHANGED HIS LIFE. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR DOING AN AMAZING JOB AND RUNNING THIS LEADERSHIP CAMP FOR THIS AGE GROUP. IT SOUNDED SO AMAZING, I WANT TO COME!!! HE HAS DEFINITELY PUT IN PLACE LOTS OF IDEAS AND VISIONS FOR WHAT HE WANTS TO ACHIEVE AND WE BOTH KNOW HE WILL KICK HIS GOALS. HE HAS THE WORLD AT HIS FEET AND WE KNOW HE WILL GO OUT AND WORK HARD FOR WHAT HE BELIEVES IN. THANK YOU AND KEEP UP THE INCREDIBLE INSPIRING WORK.

Mother of a NSW Delegate

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Close Marvin's Bio

I found Burn Bright in the midst of studying civil engineering at the University of Wollongong, just as I wanted a richer, deeper, more full experience of life.

Through Burn Bright, I have met many students and volunteers who are all seeking to find their place in the world. When we come together at NLC or SLC, no matter our age, we begin on the same page, of wanting to do good for ourselves, our community, and the world. And then we are thrown into a program that brings us closer to each other, our purpose, and how to bring forth this impact. It’s like having your cake and eating it too.

Volunteering with Burn Bright stoked a fire in me – It helped me feel comfortable in myself and made me realise life isn’t just about work, study, or productivity, but our relationships and how we connect with others along the way.

I have learned skills in videography, worked for a top-tier corporation in marketing, and most recently published a book called “18 and lost? So were we” 

I have a passion for storytelling, bring loads of energy wherever I go, and am dedicated to helping young people move through the initiation of leaving high school and going into the ‘real world’. 

The best part for me is being able to stay connected to the latest generation growing through high school. To see them grow, expand and express more of themselves is like watching an artwork paint itself. It’s magic.

Close Simon's Bio

I am Simon Thurston, a Kiwi based in Perth. I work as an Instructional Designer and in my spare time I enjoy reading, running, and board games.

Since my initial connection to Burn Bright I have been onboard with their mission. Burn Bright’s focus on building the capabilities enables students of all ages to see how they can shape their world through connections with others and their own self discovery.

Seeing others grow, learn, and open up is what keeps me coming back, to help others realise their potential and how they can influence their future and their community is a definite highlight. It’s infectious, the atmosphere when they run a program or camp is welcoming, exciting, emotional, and rewarding all in one.

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Close Kelsie's Bio

Hi, friends! I’m Kelsie, a psychologist from central QLD working in private practice. I got involved with Burn Bright officially in 2016, but the journey started long before that. I attended the National Leadership Camp (now hosted annually by Burn Bright) in 2009. It had such a profound impact on me that I returned as a mentor and volunteer. Those connections ultimately lead me to joining the Burn Bright team as an adult.

When I transitioned from facilitating with the Burn Bright team to working as a psychologist, I was so grateful for an incredible foundation of skills (particularly facilitation, communication and interpersonal skills) along with a strong grounding in positive psychology that Burn Bright integrates into their ethos.

I can’t imagine my life without volunteering for Burn Bright. I have met some of my dearest friends through the Burn Bright crew. I’ve found that volunteering for BB is rewarding, humbling, and often brings as much personal growth for the volunteer as it does for the young person.

From a professional perspective, I love that Burn Bright programs/camps support the adolescent individuation process by providing an exciting and supportive environment for teens to explore their own sense of self, personality, identify and values alongside other young people.

Imagine this POV: you’re back at school wanting to figure everything out and fit in – and you find
yourself in a room with amazing music that uplifts you and hooks you in. You meet the team of
dynamic, interesting, caring facilitators whose own friendships inspire you. Their facilitation skills bring about amazing light-bulb moments and lessons that light a fire inside you… It makes me want to feel that for myself again. The next best thing, for me, is volunteering for the team who passes that on to other young people.

Close Nick's Bio

My start at Burn Bright is one of the best cases of one door closing and another door opening. After losing my job at a local pub while on uni holidays, I started looking for new opportunities that were different and decided to volunteer. Searching for opportunities, I found working bees, community driving and nursing home visits, but the chance to become a National Leadership Camp intern stood out. Over nearly six months, I worked with the team to pull off Burn Bright’s first National Leadership Camp, and had an absolute blast in the process. After camp, I started working for Burn Bright while studying, doing anything and everything — data analysis, hiring strategy and even picking up furniture.

Finishing up working for Burn Bright in 2019, I am still actively involved with the Burn Bright volunteer community. I’ve found that the emphasis placed on investing in your relationships, understanding your values and making an impact allow you to be accepted for you. This has given me the tools needed to make the difficult decisions that life will inevitably throw at you. Besides all that, I’ve had a ton of fun and formed life-long friendships with people I may have never crossed paths with otherwise. “Get involved — you’ll change your life for the better and make life‑long friends in the process”.

Close Lindsey's Bio

I am a health science student from Perth wanting to get into the mental health realm of occupational therapy. In the meantime, I work as a barista and supervisor at a beachside café. In my spare time, I love to play netball, be around my friends and I have just gotten into crocheting. I went to Perth College where I was lucky enough to go to the first Perth College Leadership Camp in 2018 as a student and absolutely loved it. What really drew me in was the atmosphere that was created, the open conversations, and the lasting relationships formed.

Since then I have been a mentor for the Perth College Leadership Camp in 2019, 2020, and 2021 and had the opportunity to go to the National Leadership Camp in 2019. When Burn Bright comes to Perth I also love helping out at their programs as much as I can.

Volunteering for Burn Bright has given me so much that I could never have imagined. I have learned so much about myself and I have so much more confidence in myself and my abilities that I know I wouldn’t have had if I wasn’t exposed to the amazing opportunities volunteering for Burn Bright has given me. Before being involved I would never have seen myself being a mentor, role model, and facilitator to students, but now I can confidently say that I am, and I have made an impact on others that I am proud of. I have also made so many meaningful connections to so many amazing people from all around Australia through Burn Bright. I get asked quite a bit why I keep coming back to my old school to volunteer and it’s simply because I was given this amazing opportunity to be a part of the Burn Bright programs and if I can help facilitate that experience to someone else then why wouldn’t I?

Close Peter's Bio

I was born in Perth and moved to Sydney in my early 20’s to continue work as a youth worker and surfboard maker. This was followed by 30 years working in IT as a computer programmer.

Following retirement in 2016 I searched for an organisation that was aligned with my values of servant leadership and service, especially in the youth space. This search led to Burn Bright where I am now volunteering one day a week and mentoring at the National Leadership Camp. Volunteering with Burn Bright gives me a great deal of hope and confidence in the next generation of leaders. It is a pleasure to be a part of the Burn Bright family.

I have been married to Denise for 41 years and we both very much feel part of the Burn Bright team.

When not at Burn Bright you may find me running along Manly beach, riding my mountain bike or indulging in my passion for photography.

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Close Rosie's Bio

Hi! I’m Rosie, a 20-something full-time public servant, part-time Tassie tourism advocate.

I am passionate about seeing young people succeed, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than watching them become the next generation of change-makers.

I have been a champion of the ethos and work of Burn Bright since its inception in 2014, and consider them to be the leading experts in their field. By delivering impactful leadership and wellbeing programs to students across Australia, they offer the knowledge, skills and engagement to invoke lasting positive change in school communities.

The Burn Bright team are dedicated, inclusive and values-driven, which is why I love working with them.

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