On Wednesday April 15, the North Lake Chapter Officers and Assistant Officers packed their sleeping bags and headed to Suttle Lake to join the Oregon State FFA Officers and other FFA members from the Redmond, Crook County, Madras, Culver, Bend and Sherman County chapters at the annual District Leadership camp.
This year’s officers are, President Joe Carlon, Vice President Avery Overton, Secretary Amanda Dark, Treasurer Kori Worthington, Reporter Cheyanne Strong, Sentinel Jon Sprague, Asst. Vice President Kourtney Worthington, Asst. Secretary Lesley Dark, Asst. Treasurer Felecia Bias, Asst. Reporter Shayne Dinger, and Asst. Sentinel Kody Worthington.
Leadership camp is a place for the Central Oregon District and Chapter Officers to gather and learn their responsibilities in the office they hold and further their leadership and speaking skills. Students are also involved in and experience patriotic flag raising and lower ceremonies each day at camp. FFA members have the opportunity to participate in rigorous officer sessions that help student understand the relationships and relevance of agricultural education and the FFA program.
Leadership camp is a place to be pulled out of your comfort zone and meet many new people. A strict rule while there is that members can’t be “podding-up” and mingling with only fellow members from his or her chapter. If a member is caught breaking this rule the member has to give an impromptu speech at meal time on a variety of ironic subjects such as, “Why do kamikazes wear helmets?” This can be very entertaining and “educational.” Members also enjoy participating in outdoor recreation, skits, The polar bear plunge, and the Rituals Contest.
On Thursday night the Advanced and Beginning Chapter Officer Teams competed in the District Rituals Contest. This year in the Advanced Contest, Bend placed 1st, Madras placed 2nd, and Culver placed 3rd. In the Beginning Contest Culver placed 1st, Bend took 2nd, and North Lake placed 3rd.
The following morning members had to rise and shine at 6:00 A.M. and walk to the Suttle Lake for the intense polar bear jump. North Lake chapter proudly had all members, including Mr. Waldron plunge into the freezing water, and were all able to sign the polar bear scroll which marks the official indoctrination into the Central Oregon FFA Polar Bear Club. It was mild year for the polar bears. Unlike last year, there were no snow flurries and three foot drifts, and it was a muggy 43 degrees with water temperature at 41 degrees. However, it was a cold walk back to the cabins, but we all survived. The rest of the day was spent cleaning the camp and packing bags to head home. The leadership camp was a great experience for many members. They took home many new skills, goals, memories and responsibilities for their chapter.
Cheyanne, Amanda and Lesley sign the the Central Oregon District Polar Bear Club scroll
The Central Oregon District Polar Club
Flag Raising ceremony
