What is LD?

Overview

We're looking forward to working with your son or daughter in Leadership Dynamics this summer. It's very important that you read through this information, confirm your student's registration, confirm your payment, and complete the work/study contract if it applies, and call us with any further questions you might have. We also want to highlight a few details of the program so there is no confusion as you plan for your student's participation in the Leadership Dynamics program. We hope that after reading the information and background provided that you will agree that Leadership Dynamics offers Badger High School students a unique opportunity beyond the traditional classroom setting. Leadership provides students the chance to develop, hone, and discover their leadership skills. In Leadership students will learn about the dynamics of a group and how to work with others toward a common goal. In addition, the Leadership Dynamics staff will help students learn to strengthen their communication skills and leadership ability. It is also the goal of Leadership to celebrate community and encourage students to actively participate in the betterment of their classroom, school, city, and area communities.

Courses

The Leadership Dynamics curriculum consists of 4 courses. Students, if they chose, can take a Leadership course every year they are in high school. Each course builds on the skills and knowledge gained from the previous year’s course.

• Leadership Dynamics I (LD 1)
  LD One is an introductory course generally taken by incoming freshmen however it is open to any grade level student who wishes to take it. LD One is a ½ credit class held one week during the summer. In this class students are given an opportunity to learn about the roles in a group, leadership traits, and group decision making. Students work on a variety of low ropes exercises and tasks which require them to use the knowledge they have gained. During the week students will be required to perform a service project (reading to daycare kids) and they will have an opportunity to visit Lutherdale and tame The Beast, a 40 climbing wall.
  
• Leadership Dynamics II (LD 2)
  LD Two is the next step in the Leadership ladder. Students who have taken LD One can continue developing their leadership abilities at LD Two camp. Like LD One, LD Two is a ½ credit class held one week during the summer. In LD Two students build on the things they learned in LD One. The low ropes exercises become more involved, requiring greater teamwork and result in greater growth of all those involved. During the week of LD Two campers will walk 21 miles around Lake Geneva, pull an ‘all-nighter’, and meet the challenge of Jacob’s Ladder at Lutherdale. Unlike LD One, when the LD Two students leave camp there are not done with class. The LD Two students, as their service project, organize and implement a car wash, with the proceeds going to Special Olympics.
  
• Leadership Dynamics III (LD 3)
  Leadership Dynamics Three is open to students who have successfully completed LD One; LD Two is also highly recommended. LD3 meets for one week during the summer followed by a year-long class. LD3 will provide students the opportunity to learn to have an effective impact on their community. Beyond the opportunities of our summer program, students will systematically research and utilize the following: networking, letter writing, business telephoning, grant writing, proposal writing, conference planning and implementation, event organizing and implementation, presenting at government and service club meetings, civic regulations, database management, resource identification and utilization, and publication production. In addition, they will improve in teamwork, interpersonal communication, technological communication, problem-solving, time management, scheduling, audience analysis, and public speaking skills.
• Senior Leadership (LD 12)
  LD 12 is the culminating Leadership experience. LD 12 involves a week at camp, as well as a year-long class in which the students develop and implement a MAJOR project designed to benefit the school, city, or local community. At this level the students are given support and guidance but the majority of the impetus comes from within the LD 12 team itself. Students learn grant writing, networking, public speaking skills, etc. in the process of completing their project. The completion of the project brings together all of the leadership and team building skills the students have acquired throughout their years in high school and Leadership. Although traditionally LD 12 students have taken LD1, LD 2, and LD3 they can take it as long as they have had at least LD1, however, LD3 is highly recommended.

Experimental Education

This course requires participants to get involved, work together to solve problems, make decisions, and practice active listening skills. We balance physical challenges, mental ability, and group process. The key advantage of experiential learning is to study theory and immediately apply it. This process emphasizes theory, problem solving, experimentation, debriefing, and personal assessment. Students learn to reach beyond their limits on the high elements, taking risks beyond their initial comfort zone. They come to understand that their limits are often self imposed and can be moved. As they reach success, their confidence and esteem grow. The low elements offer tremendous opportunities for group interaction and problem-solving. When viewing the videotape of their interaction, they recognize behaviors in themselves and others that are not readily apparent with other approaches.

Special Activities

During Leadership Dynamics One, students present reading programs to youth at area day care centers. During Leadership Dynamics Two students hike 21 miles around Geneva Lake and stay up together for 24 hours. LD Two students also plan a car wash which they implement after the week at camp, culminating in a debriefing session, the preparation of training notes for the next year’s group, and a final paper. LD3 students will work on team building skills during camp and will use those skills to implement a year-long project that will benefit the Badger High community. Senior Leadership participants create and execute their own organizing project to benefit the broader Lake Geneva community; also a year-long project. They spend a weekend in November in retreat. All students participate in high ropes activities at Eagle’s Nest Adventure Center at Lutherdale Camp outside of Elkhorn.