By Kyle Studley, South Coastal Chapter (MA)

When everyone arrived here at Lion’s Camp Pride on Sunday, August 17th, nobody knew what to expect. Lion’s Camp Pride is situated on Lake Merrymeeting in New Durham NH. Personally, I had attended several years ago but didn’t recall all of what I had experienced (not that it wasn’t memorable!). Everyone’s first impression of the camp is always either the two and a half mile road that never seems to end, or the fact that you have fairly decent cell phone service which slowly diminishes for those two and a half miles. Yes, that’s correct; there is no cell service at LTC. On the other side, having no cell service is part of what makes the experience what it is.

Anyone who chooses to attend LTC starts by choosing one of the three course options: Basic Skills, Master Councilor Skills, or as a Jurisdictional Officer. When you arrive at the camp, you are given two LTC t-shirts and a binder, which basically serves as your guidebook for the week, containing the week’s schedule, any course materials, and some DeMolay paper and pens, to take notes.. hopefully. All the DeMolays are then divided into one of four cabins, which will eventually become your chapter.

Throughout the week, the chapter you form will have to overcome several obstacles, both physically, mentally, and emotionally. A typical day offers a few classes, a bunch of athletics, and some free time, as well as some night-time entertainment. Every day offers opportunities to learn more about leadership in DeMolay, even if it is not directly from the courses. At LTC, you have to learn to become a leader in your chapters.. Not only in your chapters, but at work, home, or wherever it could come in hand. If this sounds like it’d be interesting to you, I can guarantee that you will not regret attending.