CLI 2006
by Kevin Brawley, CLI 2006

A week at Cathedral Camp at the conclusion of my sophomore year brought about changes in my life, changes that I am still learning about and experiencing. Christian Leadership Institute was a weeklong leadership camp for high school age youth sponsored by their parishes. Timothy 4:12 best explains the goal of the program: “Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” When I read these words at the beginning of the week, I did not understand their full implications. However, by the end of the week I began to realize the influence that CLI would have on my life. CLI helped me to appreciate my leadership potential and learn how to use it in helping others. It made me more confident in my abilities, talents, and beliefs. The week showed me that I could make a difference in the world, and sent me out to do so.

I attended CLI in June of 2006. Christian Leadership Institute, at the time, was not the place I wanted to spend my first week of summer vacation, with kids that I did not know. Adding to my irritability on the first day was that it was chilly, dark, and rainy. I was a shy kid, and I did not want to be away from my family for an entire week. The knot in my stomach grew larger as we drew closer to the camp. I was feeling very uncomfortable, and questioning myself. Why did I sign up for this?

Upon arrival, I felt the knot growing larger still as I checked in and was taken to a room not much bigger than my mother’s closet; I was told that I would be sleeping there for the next week. The room was small in every way. It seemed as if everything were proportionate to the size of the room, including my expectations for the week. A few minutes later, the group of candidates gathered for the first time, in another, much larger, room and I did not see any familiar faces. Everyone was doing the same thing, standing around, looking at everyone else, and wondering what this camp was all about. I overheard two kids talking about ice hockey, and I play ice hockey, so I timidly joined their conversation. Unexpectedly, a friend from school walked into the room, and I no longer felt so nervous. This week might turn out all right after all.

The week began. There were only sixteen candidates, so we got to know each other fairly well through the workshops. Our leaders set great examples for us to learn from. The morality workshop was especially intriguing because we had to talk about our beliefs, but the planning skills workshops taught me more about myself than I ever thought possible.

Over the course of the week, we had to plan events using the skills we learned in the workshops, such as communication skills, problem solving, and consensus seeking. These activities drew out my abilities and potential. Towards the end of the week, the candidates had to begin planning the Diocesan High School Youth Convention. Throughout the planning of the convention, and with every passing workshop, I grew more confident in my abilities and myself. During this arduous planning process, I determined that my abilities and talent for leadership were emerging. I always seemed to keep everyone on track. I got things done by the deadlines. I motivated people, and kept them involved in the process. I could do these things well. The other candidates were looking to me for direction. I realized that throughout the week, I had become more like the leaders of the camp.

Christian Leadership Institute helped me to realize my leadership potential and how to utilize it in assisting others. I became much more self-confident and, I realized that, with the skills I possessed, I could make a difference in the world. The shy nature I began the week with is tucked away, and my confidence in my abilities, talents, beliefs, and myself, flourish. All of these leadership skills I use today in my involvement with many different activities, such as in marching band, and serving as a lector and altar server in my parish. “Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” It seems as if Timothy’s message was for me.