2025 PROGRAM
MORNING SESSION
The Changing Colors of Leadership
The morning session will explore the theme “The Changing Colors of Leadership” through engaging lessons and activities rooted in the Real Colors temperament assessment complimented with colorful STEM activities. Participants will discover how understanding different personality styles can “brighten” their leadership approach—both professionally and personally. Sessions will include interactive experiences, self-reflection, and practical tools to enhance communication, connection, and collaboration. Presenters Lynnette Vachal, Susan Milender, and Hannah Nordby from NDSU Extension, along with Ohio Extension's Dr. Bob Horton and Patty House, will guide participants through a variety of dynamic segments designed to bring leadership concepts to life.
MAJOR WORKSHOPS
(Participate in a concentrated study in one of these areas)
KINNECTing to our Roots - Angela Shapley
In a world where convenience often comes at the cost of connection and sustainability, "KINNECTing to Our Roots" is a four-day immersive experience designed to help you reclaim practical skills, build resilience, and foster a sense of empowerment through self-sufficiency.
Each day, we’ll dive into a skill that past generations relied on—things that save money, reduce waste, and create a deeper appreciation for everyday essentials. Join Angela for a hands-on adventure in butter churning, bagel baking, and crafting your own laundry detergent and all-purpose cleaner. These simple yet powerful practices help us reconnect to the roots of everyday living.
As we roll up our sleeves and get messy in the best way, we’ll celebrate the vibrant colors of leadership that grow from the ground up. Interactive games from the KINNECT curriculum will keep us laughing and learning together as we explore what it really means to lead with purpose, playfulness, and a whole lot of heart.
Steven Tamayo - Lakota Arts & Culture
Explore the vibrant patterns of leadership through the rich tapestry of Lakota Arts & Culture, where tradition, identity, and community come together in powerful color. Steven Tomayo, Omaha, NE, draws upon his family history as a member of the Sicangu Lakota tribe. His fine arts education, along with his cultural upbringing, have shaped him as an artist, historian, storyteller and dancer. (Full course description coming soon.)
Thomas Tonkin - Tracking-Language of Nature
Step into the wild world of nature and see it like never before! In this hands-on workshop, we will go on a journey of discovery as we unlock the stories animals tell through the signs they leave behind. Through observation, curiosity, and wonder we’ll learn how to navigate the natural world by using our senses to follow the clues around us.
Together, we’ll explore animal tracks, scat, physiology, and other mysterious signs to answer questions like:
Who left this track behind?
What does the set of tracks tell us about its size, gender, or even if it is pregnant?
Does it have horns or antlers and how large of a set are they.
Why is the animal in this location and how does it relate to the nearby ecosystem?
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The natural world is filled with wonders and mysteries. Each sign has a unique story to share. As we trace these clues through the shifting colors of forest and field, we’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the incredible world around us—and the many shades of awareness and attentiveness that leadership in nature requires.
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Jim Cain - Building Character Experientially
With $175 million in new funding from the Eli Lilly Endowment, youth-serving organizations like 4-H, YMCA, Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs, Junior Achievement, ACA, and Big Brothers Big Sisters are investing deeply in character development—and camps are leading the charge.
Join renowned author and experiential educator Jim Cain for an engaging, hands-on workshop exploring the tools, techniques, and traits outlined in the brand-new book Building Character at Camp (co-authored with Bob Ditter). You’ll experience interactive activities that bring over twenty key character traits to life—perfect for camp, afterschool, and youth leadership settings.
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As we explore each trait, we’ll see how character comes in many shades—compassion, integrity, courage, humility—each adding a unique hue to the evolving picture of today’s youth leaders.
Leave with practical strategies, fresh inspiration, and a copy of the book will be available for purchase to bring it all home.
MINOR WORKSHOPS
(Choose up to eight of these tentative minor workshops to expand your recreation and leadership skills.)​
Atlatls - Dave Chandler, Great Falls, MT
Biometrics - Deborah Ivie, UT
Bridge Building - Patty House, Hilliard, OH
Canoeing - Outlaw Ranch Staff
Embroidered Totes - Cari Snider, Amarillo, TX
Equine Therapy - Carolyn King-Marcus, Ten Sleep, WY​
Field Notes - Thomas Tonkin, Custer, SD
Games - Cari Snider, Lubbock, TX
Gravity - Dr. Bob Horton, Columbus, OH
Healing Through Words - Angela Shapley, Mason City, IA
Homemade Pasta with Sauce - Annette Broyles, New Salem, ND
Mann Cultch Leadership - Jim Cain, Brockport, NY
Native Lore/Storytelling - Darrah Goggles, Lander, WY
Needle Felting - Patty Pace, Indiana
Outdoor Ed - Thomas Tonkin, Custer, SD
Playful Leadership: Strengthening Skills Through Engaging Games, Lyric Wall, Casper, WY
Sublimation - Debrorah Ivie, UT
Sphero Planter Challenge - Bob Horton, Columbus, OH
Sweetgrass Earrings - Darrah Goggles, Lander, WY
Tai Ji Quan - Susan Milender - Valley City, ND
Teambuilding - Jim Cain, Brockport, NY
Traditional Games - Steven Tamayo
Trauma Brain - Mary Beyerhelm Huey, Nora Springs, IA