Two Edwardsville Students Grew as Leaders at Illinois FFA Camp

EDWARDSVILLE - The Illinois FFA Leadership Camp gave two Edwardsville High School students the opportunity last week to strengthen their leadership skills, build friendships and step outside their comfort zones during a three-day experience centered on teamwork and personal growth.

The camp brought together members of the National FFA Organization from across Illinois for activities designed to develop communication, leadership and teamwork.

Founded in 1928, the National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is a student-led organization that prepares members for leadership and careers in many fields of agriculture. Through local chapters across the country, students participate in leadership conferences, career development events, community service projects and hands-on agricultural experiences that build personal, professional and technical skills.

Illinois FFA Leadership Camp is one of the organization's annual leadership conferences, giving members opportunities to develop confidence, communication and teamwork through hands-on activities.

EHS’s FFA members Caitlyn Stafford and Mason Morfey began their trip by meeting the members of their small groups and cabins before taking part in activities designed to help them get to know one another.

“On the first day, we got started by meeting with our groups with other students from all around Illinois,” Morfey said. “[We] got to know everyone in our group and then met with everyone in our cabin to do a team-building activity where we had to make an egg survive a 12-foot drop.”

Throughout the week, campers participated in challenge and obstacle courses, small-group sessions, daily reflections and the annual Agriculture Olympics, which emphasized teamwork through a variety of competitions.

“It was really fun and you meet a lot of new people and become very close to each other in a matter of days,” Stafford said. “It had felt like we had known each other for years after the challenge course because it had really made us get to know each other.”

Despite the leadership activities, both students said the camp's signature watermelon football game was their favorite event.

“You all get in the lake, and the counselor throws a Vaseline-covered watermelon in the lake and you play football with it,” Stafford said.

Beyond the games, both students said the experience strengthened their leadership skills by encouraging them to communicate, collaborate and step outside their comfort zones.

“One thing I think I improved on was talking to people and getting out of my comfort zone,” Stafford said. “[Leadership camp] teaches you to talk to everyone, even if you don't know them, and it teaches social skills and learning how to manage and lead activities while listening to others’ ideas.”

Morfey echoed Stafford's thoughts but emphasized the leadership lessons he gained from the experience.

“We all had to work together at all points of the day,” Morfey said. “These experiences will help me grow as a leader and lead more people to have the experiences I have had in the FFA.”

Campers also had opportunities to earn scholarships and recognition throughout the week. Stafford received the Ed Curry Scholarship, which helped cover the cost of attending camp.

The $215 Ed Curry scholarship is in recognition of former advisor, agriculture teacher and leadership camp staff member Ed Curry. The Illinois FFA website describes him as someone who loved FFA camp and wanted to share that experience with all FFA members.

Stafford is one of five across Illinois to receive this scholarship. To become a recipient, she had to write two short essays, one about who or what motivated her to want to attend camp, and one about how she will use her camp experience to impact members around her.

“It was more of a ‘write an essay and you’ll get the camp paid for.’ It was so the alumni didn’t have to pay in my case,” Stafford said.

Both students expressed gratitude to those who made the trip possible: the Edwardsville FFA Alumni and Supporters. The FFA Alumni is an organization made up of former FFA members, parents, teachers and community members who support local FFA chapters.

Through fundraising, scholarships, volunteer work and financial contributions, alumni affiliates help provide students with opportunities to attend leadership conferences, competitions, camps and many other activities.

Looking back on the experience, Stafford said the friendships she built and the leadership lessons she gained made the trip worthwhile, and she encouraged other FFA members to attend if given the opportunity.

“Looking back on it, I will never regret going,” Stafford said. “It can be life-changing because of the people you meet. And to anyone thinking about going or having the opportunity to go, take it because it is a great experience and it teaches some skills you can have in your back pocket.”

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