NNED Junior Academy - Where Leaders are Made

By Jay M. Woodward

Pony Express Editor

On July 9-12, 2009, NNED Royal Rangers held the Junior Leadership Training Academy in Anson, Maine. Twelve boys and nine Commanders attended the camp, which provided appropriate training in leadership development, teamwork, and camping skills. The Academy has a spiritual emphasis, and is designed to provide boys with professional training to become effective leaders.

It consisted of three separate age groups: Discovery Training Camp (DTC) for Discovery Rangers, Adventure Training Camp (ATC) for Adventure Rangers and Junior Training Camp (JTC) for Expedition Rangers. The Camp Commander was Dana Lemieux, and Commander Jason A. Wright was the Senior Guide. The leaders who served on staff brought with them their years of experience, training, and most importantly, a commitment to developing boys into godly young men!

As it was at the last JLTA in 2007, the camp location was in a field belonging to Pastor Tim Haynes and his family. It provides the perfect venue for Ranger events such as these. Pastor Tim and his son Jonathan played a big part in helping the camp run smoothly, purchasing food and supplies, and making sure that there was plenty of water for everyone to drink! Indeed, Outpost #21, which was the host Outpost for JLTA, and its leaders deserve credit for the camp’s success. Commander Donn Blomerth provided plenty of wood for the council fires, and Commander Charlie Poisonnier assisted ATC Camp Commander Mike Hills with the ATC. Commander Ken Beaufort served as the JTC Group Commander while Commander Gary Baillargeon served as Group Commander for the DTC

On Friday, the camp began with the boys being put together with their appropriate patrol. At first, the boys experienced difficulties to working together, but over the course of the weekend, teamwork and patrol spirit began to show and brought out the best in the boys. By the camp’s end on Sunday morning, The DTC “Royal Adventurers” patrol earned the Gold Level of Excellence! Also, the ATC “Beastly Bobcat” patrol earned the Bronze Level of Excellence. Even more noteworthy, the two boys who made up the JTC patrol, twins Jacob and Jarron Johnston of Outpost #21 in Madison, performed double duties at the camp, helping the ATC and DTC patrols out in addition to their own work. As a reward for their hard work, Commander Jason appointed them as Co-Senior Guides for Pow Wow in August! This was on top of their earning the Silver Level of Excellence! Way to go, guys!

The success of this year’s JLTA was in no small part due to the teamwork of the staff. As Pastor Tim stated, “I think this was the most cohesive staff I have seen at a camp... I feel blessed to be a part of it.” He went on to thank the staff for their “dedication to the ministry of Royal Rangers, keeping boys for Jesus, by training them in godliness, as well as leadership.” The boys who attended JLTA returned home “Ready” to be leaders in their local Outposts, and “Ready” to take the Rangers ministry to a whole new level! These are not just our future leaders; they are also the leaders of today!