Lessons in Leadership

Flowing through another awesome week at Experience Camps + four days till Third Nature Summer Camp.

Aug 27, 2024

“All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power. If you want to govern the people, you must place yourself below them. If you want to lead the people, you must learn how to follow them.”

- Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

I just wrapped up another "best week ever" at Experience Camps, which are non-profit summer camps for children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or caregiver. This was my 9th year as a volunteer counselor and 7th year running the Leaders in Training (LIT) program for 16-18-year-old young men.

Every year at Experience Camps is a little different. As is the case with anything I do on a recurring annual basis, I come into the week with different things on my mind, depending what's been going on in the world and in my life. If you've read the last two newsletters, you know that my brother-in-law's passing has put family front and center. Going into last week, I wasn't sure how this fresh grief would impact my ability to lead.

Before the campers arrived, I set an intention: Flow.

I was surprised when that was the word that came up, but it felt right. To me, it meant that I would flow through the week with ease - trusting myself to know when to step up and when to step back. Staying present, and allowing what wants to emerge to emerge. Doing less - which can be hard on our egos when leading any experience, whether it be an IRL class, online course, retreat, workshop, or camp for grieving children.

Our egos want to be seen making a difference. But when we learn to feel the energy of a space and be the best for the group (as opposed to the best in the group), we learn that sometimes what the group needs most from us as leaders is to simply listen, hold space, and give others the spotlight.

During a time when I was feeling the weight of my own grief and 2.5 weeks focused on supporting others, I'm proud of how I was able to practice this sort of "flow." I'm also grateful to work with an amazing director + counselor team full of people who were all in FTK (For The Kids) - many of whom I consider part of my chosen family.

For people who lead others out there - whether it be a team at work, your own company, or your friends & family - how might you practice your own brand of Flow Leadership?

More camp is coming right up!

With the trip roster finalized and an amazing group of people coming together, I'm finally letting myself feel really excited for our long awaited return to Camp Scatico for Third Nature Summer Camp, this weekend.

Camp will run through Monday (Labor Day), so next week's newsletter will arrive on Tuesday, September 3rd. I'm excited to see what one-week-from-now-me has to say. I know whatever happens, we'll learn so much, as we always do.

Applications are officially closed for Third Nature Summer Camp 2024.

Interested in joining us in 2025? Let us know here.

Third Nature Summer Camp

Fridays With Third Nature

We'll be off again this Friday - no session August 30th.

We'll be back on Friday, September 6th, joined by some new faces from our Summer Camp Weekend!

If you're missing us in the meantime and won't be joining us at camp, here are some ways to inject some Third Nature vibes into your life back home:

1. Connect...

To self - consider taking time out of your day for meditation, yoga, journaling, or simple solitude.
To others - make plans with someone you miss spending time with. Reach out to a friend you haven't spoken to in a while - maybe someone from the Third Nature community!
To the world - open your 5 senses - allow yourself to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel more of what's out there.

2. Disconnect...

Leave your phone at home and go outside.
Take a true weekend off from work.
Close your laptop before dinner and enjoy analog evenings.

3. Be yourself...

Revisit your core values, and consider how you might embody one of those values today.
Give yourself your ideal Summer Saturday.
Do less - just be.

4. Have fun...

Go on a spontaneous adventure.
Play a game or build something with your friends or family.
Dance like no one's watching.

Let us know how it goes :)

Loved That: Experience Camps FTK (For The Kids) Edition

Welcome to the 5th edition of "LOVED THAT."

If you missed the last four newsletters - this is the new, more freeing version of "Favorite Things Of The Week."

Below are some of the things that made me say (out loud or in my head), an enthusiastic, LOVE THAT, while at Experience Camps this past week:

This year's LIT's, the oldest campers, who I had the privilege of guiding through the week. I loved getting to know these 32 young men, witnessing their growth and support for one another, while navigating the complex and often conflicting feelings that come with the loss of a loved one. Experiences like this give me more faith in humanity and optimism for the future than any politician ever could.
Two special meals outside the dining hall that we offered the LIT's. First, the Camp-otle bowls made by a group of counselors who devoted several hours to cooking up the best meal of the week on Wednesday night. Then the following morning, the make your own pancake bar - mine with bananas, chocolate chips, and rainbow sprinkles. I love making the oldest campers feel special with these little privileges and perks - and getting to benefit from them myself.
The sense of gratitude felt around camp when the sun came out after a few days of rain and clouds. I especially loved the clear skies we got the last two nights. Lots of star gazing + conversations with young men about space and the universe, one who is now considering astronomy for his college major.
Literally taking my grief to the gym with my friend Matt - in other words, getting to share about the most recent chapter in my grief journey while lifting weights during some rare down time.
A 17-year old camper performing a song she wrote about Experience Camps at the end of closing ceremonies. If you're looking for a quick cry, check out Get Me by Tina LaRosa.
Getting a parking space directly in front of my building in Park Slope for the first time ever, yesterday.
Logging 959 minutes of NatureDose, a new high for me since installing the app in May. I discovered NatureDose after posting this on LinkedIn - a post that got relatively low engagement, but has added so much value to my life.