Meet LIT graduate Kylie VanPatten

August 18, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

From June 27-July 22, Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center held a program called Leaders in Training (LIT) for 16–17-year-old high school students to learn how to become leaders in the camp setting and in ministry. Click here to learn more about the LIT program.

One of them is outgoing 16-year-old Kylie VanPatten, whose mother, Kristi VanPatten, is the pastor at Alplaus UMC. This summer was Kylie's tenth summer at Casowasco.

Here are some of Kylie’s reflections of the LIT training in her own words:

• I have gained five new friends. I don’t know if I would have made it through the program without them. We all worked together and helped each other. We connected so well together and laughed a lot. I love this group and hope we always stay in touch.
• Being an LIT required a lot of hard work and emotional control. And being around young campers, it’s important to put a filter on what you say.
• The LIT program gave us so much experience. By helping the staff here (at Casowasco), I gained the confidence I would need to get a job here.
• The Highlands portion of the training was emotionally challenging for me—I’m afraid of bugs. But stargazing the last night in the Highlands was the most spiritual aspect of the program for me.
• I really surprised myself by how quickly I picked up leadership skills. I thought leading campers would be extremely difficult; it turned out to be mildly difficult.
• My faith gets a refill every time I go to Casowasco. This place is where I feel closest to God.

Kylie was one of the three campers who also earned her lifeguard certification—that part of the program was her favorite part!

Congratulations Kylie on your LIT graduation!