Youth Take the Lead: Why Gen Z's Global Activism Signals a New Era for Camp Leadership

Across the globe, young people are no longer waiting on the sidelines , they're leading. A recent Associated Press story described how nationally coordinated protests in countries such as Madagascar were powered by groups self-identifying as Gen Z, harnessing social media and grassroots tactics to demand systemic change.

In many cases, these youths aren't just reacting, they're organizing, planning, and driving leadership in real time. For the camp industry, this is a powerful reminder: the next generation (both staff and camers) wants to lead, contribute, and be heard. They don't just want to "show up"; they want to make a difference.

What does this mean for your camp this summer?

Why This Matters for Camps

Leadership is youth-driven. Gen Z and emerging Gen Alpha don't always wait for the adults to hand them the baton, they're ready to grab it. At camp, this means you'll get more energy and innovation if you give older campers and young staff meaningful roles early.

Have you noticed how quickly your young staff picks up new systems? That's because they're used to leading and adapting in real time. The same energy that's driving global movements can fuel incredible program innovation at your camp.

They expect voice and agency. The movements sweeping world headlines are built on shared mission plus peer collaboration plus digital coordination. Your staff and campers increasingly expect similar participatory culture, not just "we show you what to do," but "we build it together."

Think about it: if a 19-year-old can help organize a movement that reaches thousands, why wouldn't they expect to help shape your evening program or suggest improvements to cabin dynamics?

Emerging leaders want authenticity. The protest campaigns are less about slogans and more about visible impact: "We did this, we changed that, we will keep going." At camp, that means small roles matter. Leading a late-night game, redesigning a service project, mentoring a younger camper equals meaningful leadership practice.

Tools of leadership are hybrid. Youth activism today blends offline action and online organizing. Though camp is mostly offline, the model still fits: a quick idea chat in a cabin, a suggestion board, then action in the dining hall. Leveraging both increases engagement.

This is where camp's unique position shines. We're offering something these digitally native leaders desperately need: time away from devices to develop independent problem-solving skills and face-to-face collaboration abilities.

Actionable Insights for Your Camp

Create "Junior Leadership Pods." Choose 3-5 Gen Z/older Gen Alpha staff or campers and invite them to form a pod that meets once per week to design one element of the program. Maybe they tackle challenge course rules, outline a service project, or create a new evening ritual. Give them real decision-making power and visible credit.

One camp director I know tried this last summer with their CITs. The pod redesigned their entire campfire program, and participation jumped 40%. Why? Because peers were leading peers.

Launch a "My Leadership Story" board. Post a large flip-chart or digital board with the prompt: "I led because..." At each day's end, invite one young person to add their story. It builds the narrative of peer leadership and reinforces agency.

This simple tool helps young people see leadership as accessible, not something reserved for adults or "the chosen few."

Embed real-time feedback loops. Just like young activists use live polls and chat channels, ask your staff and camper leadership: "What worked today? What would you change?" Use a shared digital tool during evening check-ins and review the responses together next morning.

The key here is speed. Gen Z expects rapid iteration, not quarterly reviews.

Offer micro-leadership roles with visible impact. These don't need to be big positions: stand-in division lead, camp-wide service ambassador, or "camp connectivity" check-in person. The essential elements: a problem to solve, a decision to make, and a visible outcome.

Remember, these young people are used to seeing their ideas implemented quickly. A camper who suggests a new game and sees it played the next day experiences authentic leadership.

Bridge digital and physical leadership. Use a staff-app group chat or message board to pose questions like: "What one change can we run tomorrow?" Encourage responses overnight and implement the best idea next morning. This mirrors Gen Z's action loop: idea → discussion → action.

But here's the camp magic: once the idea emerges digitally, the execution happens in person, around real campfires, with actual human connection.

The Problem-Solving Advantage

Camp has always been about developing independent problem-solving skills, and this generation needs that more than ever. Yes, they're incredible with technology, but they also need to practice creativity, time management, and interpersonal skills without digital crutches.

When you give a young person leadership at camp, you're not just honoring their capabilities: you're helping them develop the offline problem-solving skills that will make their online organizing even more effective.

Quick Takeaways

Youth today don't just follow: they lead. If camps tap into their desire for meaningful participation, you'll spark innovation and deepen loyalty.

Ownership and voice matter more than status. A young staffer redesigning an activity can be more invested than someone simply hired to perform it.

Small leadership opportunities plus real impact equals developmental gold for your campers and staff.

Blend online check-ins with offline action. Camps are inherently physical: but leadership thrives when ideas are surfaced digitally and executed physically.

The generation that's reshaping global activism isn't going to settle for passive camp experiences. They want to lead, create, and solve problems. The question isn't whether to give them leadership opportunities: it's how quickly you can create meaningful ways for them to contribute.

What leadership opportunities will you create this summer?

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Want more insights on youth leadership and camp innovation? Follow along atilove.campand connect with me onInstagramandLinkedInfor daily updates from the camp world.