Erin Callahan was a counselor at Kahdalea for three summers as barn staff/Shawnee Tribal Leader before stepping into the sole role of Seminole Tribal Leader last summer. In this blog, Erin shares her experience serving in this revamped position and how it changed camp beautifully in so many ways. We are so excited to see the fruits this change will continue to bear in the summers to come as tribal leaders pour into the campers and counselors!
When Adam and I sat down in January to chat about the new tribal leader position, I was a bit skeptical. I’d been the Shawnee Tribal Leader the previous two summers and this was about to be a dramatic change: no cabin and no activity. While I was intrigued by the prospect of having more time to invest in all of the campers in the tribe, I was concerned I would struggle to connect with them without a cabin of my own. I also had no idea what I would spend my time doing every day without an activity to lead. On top of all that, I was going to oversee the Seminole Tribe, which was an age group I’d never worked with before. Needless to say, I was a little anxious at the start of camp.
At the beginning of the summer the tribal leaders were tasked with figuring out the best way to define and manage this position as it was revamped into a role camp had never before seen. With the rock star lineup of tribal leaders, we refused for the summer to be anything less than spectacular. Our dream team: Anna Whitfield with Choctaws, Natalie Richter with Shawnees, me with Seminoles, and Caroline “The General” Curran with JCs. This blend of personalities and leadership styles melded together to create a cohesive team that was able to tackle everything that came our way and support each other in the process.
While the transition was difficult for me not having a cabin and living alone on Seminole Hill, this summer was probably the most connected I’ve ever felt with the campers. Not having a cabin to watch in the mornings and evenings allowed me the space to spend intentional time with each of the cabins on the hill. There were some days I spent a little time in each cabin, and other days I’d spend the whole evening with one or two cabins. Some of my favorite moments were joining in with a cabin’s “rose, bud, thorn” review of the day, playing Catchphrase on the porch, and chatting outside my door with girls waiting in line outside the shower house. Something we often discuss in staff training is the value of wasting time together. Some of the most memorable moments in my own life have been the conversation and fun my friends and I created in the moments with nothing otherwise happening. These are the moments acquaintances turn into friends. With no cabin responsibilities to attend to, I was able to waste time with the campers and, in those moments, really get to know them. Never did I imagine that I would be able to get to know such a large group of individuals so well, but after the three-week session I remember talking to my mom on the phone and being able to name each Seminole, but also their spot in the cabin, and their interests and personalities. Being able to share a moment of life with each of the campers was one of the greatest gifts of the summer; I can’t speak enough to the depth of their incredible hearts and the beauty of each and every one of their souls.
One of my other apprehensions about being a tribal leader was not having a specific activity to lead. I was unsure of being a “floater” for the summer, but this actually allowed me the time and space to run much of what happened behind the scenes. I had the time to visit each activity and check in on both my campers and counselors in the Seminole Tribe. I was able to keep up with where they were most joyful and most struggling. This time in the day allowed me to see the needs of those around me and help where possible. I was able to work creative solutions with counselors whether it was about helping ease a homesick camper or giving rest to a tired counselor. I was able to thoroughly plan special days and events (Seminole Morning Out was by far my favorite to plan, participate… and surprise the girls with). While I was worried I would be out of the flow of camp, I was actually deeper in the flow than I’d ever been before and able to give a little extra intentional love to those who needed it.
Being a tribal leader this summer was a beautiful gift. I was stretched to learn different aspects of what it means to be a leader – the hard parts and the good parts. I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of such a wonderful tribe of young women who taught me to find the beauty and joy in life through everything from conversations on porch steps to sleepovers to prank wars. Thank you to all those young women who made my life just a little bit richer this summer. Until we meet again!
Pictured below are the wonderful June and Main Session Seminoles Erin got to lead during summer ’24!
