The Forest Preserves and Outdoors Empowered Network (OEN) held the first CLIC (or Camping Leadership Immersion Course) training this June at Camp Sullivan. A dozen youth leaders gathered for the weekend-long course to sharpen their leadership skills, learn about camping equipment use and care and familiarize themselves with group activities related to outdoor recreation and nature-based education.

With CLIC training completed, these leaders can now confidently bring their youth groups to Camp Sullivan for a camping trip using gear from the CLIC gear library. Judy Idrovo of Mujeres Latinas en Acccion-Proyecto Juventud was quick to bring her group out to camp:

“My CLIC experience was the first introduction I had to camping during the summer of 2015. Not only did the staff walk me through best practices, but also allowed us to participate in the activities we would eventually be leading with our own teens. It felt like being a teen again!  I met and learned alongside phenomenal youth leaders from all throughout Chicago as a part of the CLIC group. This experience made camping with my youth team and teens enjoyable, adventurous and unforgettable since I was able to rely on the knowledge I had gained through my training. It’s never too late to become one with nature.” 

Read more about the training (and Judy’s initial thoughts on camping) in OEN’s blog post documenting June’s training.