Demystifying Goldmine Leadership Camp

by Anne-Marie Davidson


A thought occurred to me today:  At Spring Con, we had 30 congregations in attendance.  At Goldmine Leadership School, there are 24 participants (maximum).  By any math, there are congregations without representation.  Who, I wondered, doesn't send their youth to Goldmine? 

I looked it up: in the last 3 years, 16 congregations have sent youth to Goldmine.  Edmonds, University, Corvallis, and Eastshore sent multiple youth each of those years.  That leaves at least 14 congregations with youth groups who don't have anyone who has been to Goldmine. 

I have a vision:  in my vision, every congregation that comes to Con (or has a youth group) sends at least 1 youth to Goldmine every year.  (Happily, this would mean we'd need TWO Goldmine camps every summer.)  Why is it so important?  What's so magical about Goldmine?

Undoubtedly there are aspects of Goldmine you can get at other leadership camps: namely, the focus on leadership skills.  However, even here, I think Goldmine is unique in grounding them in Unitarian Universalist history and values.  I suspect the discussion we have on Power and Ethics is a bit different when placed in a UU context than it is in other communities. 

Goldmine also spends quite a bit of time allowing youth to explore what they believe.  Each day tackles a key question; each evening, we spend time in small groups discussing our beliefs. 

Perhaps most importantly, however, Goldmine creates a intentional community.  It is not a perfect community: conflict can and does happen.  Part of learning to live in community, however, is learning how to address issues in a healthy way where the community can continue to grow.  This work of community allows the students and staff to develop incredible bonds that last well past their week together. 

Putting it all together, students develop a sense of personal power.  They understand their ability to impact their community and create change.  They go home energized and ready to take on challenges. 

This is where it comes back to the congregations: when you have someone coming home from Goldmine leadership camp, be ready to dialogue with them about what ideas they have and how they might contribute to your congregation.  Sometimes it is with their youth group, but they may also have a vision toward congregational or district level work. 

My timing for raising this is poor, as the application deadline for Goldmine is just past.  However, I hope this will encourage you to identify your youth leaders and encourage them to go next year.  I'm serious about seeing someone from every congregation with a youth group at Goldmine.  I often hear from advisors and sponsors - "How do we make the circle bigger?  How do we include more youth in leadership roles?"  Goldmine leadership camp is a great answer.  It will benefit not only the youth who attend, but your youth group and your congregation both. 

And what about your young adults?  This year, Goldmine for YAs is starting up, called Goldsmith.  Interested?  Talk to Samaya Oakley, chalicinsamaya@gmail.com.