Camp Vohokase is built on the belief that leadership is not simply taught—it is developed through experience, relationships, challenges, and the opportunity to serve others. Every summer, our campers arrive at Chenoweth Trails ready to learn, grow, and challenge themselves. But one of the most meaningful parts of the program is watching those same young men return years later as leaders, mentors, and role models for the next generation.  

This year, we were proud to welcome two former Camp Vohokase men back to camp in a new role: Junior Counselors Jalen Granberry and Anton Scurry Jr.  

Their return represents something special. They once sat where our current campers sit. They experienced the challenges, friendships, lessons, and traditions that make Camp Vohokase unique. This year, they had the opportunity to give those experiences back. 

Jalen Granberry, a member of the 2021 Camp Vohokase class from Hammond, Indiana, returned to camp this summer as a Junior Counselor, bringing with him years of experience as a former camper and a perspective that allowed him to connect with our young men in a unique way.  

As a Junior Counselor, Jalen supported campers throughout the week by helping keep his group organized and engaged, served as a positive example, and providing another trusted person for campers to turn to when they needed encouragement, guidance, or simply someone who understood what they were experiencing.  

Jalen’s presence at camp was a reminder that the lessons of Camp Vohokase don’t end when a camper graduates. The relationships and values developed here can continue to shape a young man’s life—and eventually allow him to become a source of support for someone else. 

“I just want to say how grateful I am to not only go to this camp as a kid with a goal to be as R.E.A.L. as the counselors and people I met at this camp every year, but to reach my goals and get the chance to be one of those R.E.A.L. people. Thanks for everything, Light Foundation.” 

For Jalen, returning to Camp Vohokase as a Junior Counselor was a true full-circle experience. Years ago, he arrived as a young camper, learning from the counselors and mentors who helped shape his experience. This year, he returned with a new responsibility: helping guide and support the next generation of young men.  

One of the most meaningful parts of Jalen’s experience was seeing camp from the other side. Instead of being the one receiving guidance, he was now in a position to provide it—encouraging campers, sharing his experiences, and helping them navigate the same journey that once shaped him.

Being back at camp allowed Jalen to see firsthand how much the young men can grow throughout the week and reminded him of his own journey through Camp Vohokase. The opportunity to be the person he once looked up to made his return especially meaningful.  

Whether it was a conversation with a camper, a challenging moment that required leadership, a funny moment around camp, or simply seeing the boys grow throughout the week, these are the experiences that make returning to Camp Vohokase so meaningful. 

Today, Jalen is working as a union millwright with Local 1076. His career requires hard work, preparation, discipline, and the ability to work through challenges – qualities that reflect the same work ethic and determination he developed throughout his time at Camp Vohokase. 

“Just like in camp, every day I have to get up early, get ready, and start a long day of hard work and working through whatever bumps in the road.” 

Jalen’s journey from Camp Vohokase camper to young professional and now Junior Counselor is a powerful example of the continued growth we hope to see from every young man who comes through the program. Camp taught him the importance of showing up, working hard, pushing through challenges, and never giving up. More importantly, it gave him the opportunity to see what leadership looked like — and eventually become the kind of leader he once admired.  

Anton Scurry Jr., a member of the 2019 Camp Vohokase class from New Bedford, Massachusetts, also returned to camp this summer as a Junior Counselor, becoming a familiar face and mentor for the young men following in his footsteps.  

Anton brought a valuable perspective to camp because he also knows firsthand what it feels like to be a Camp Vohokase camper. He understands the nerves that can come with stepping into a new environment, the excitement of meeting new people, the challenges that come with being pushed outside of your comfort zone, and the importance of having someone in your corner.  

Throughout the camp, Anton supported campers, encouraged them through challenges, and served as a role model through his words and actions. 

“I want to start by thanking the Light Foundation and everyone at Camp Vohokase for giving me skills, experiences, and lessons that have helped me become a better man. The Foundation gave me things that I can carry with me for the rest of my life and, more importantly, skills that I can now pour back into the program and into the young men I had the opportunity to volunteer with. 

There are so many memories from camp that I could talk about, but one of my favorites was after my fireside chat. It felt like the entire camp came together as one. We all formed a circle, held onto each other, and said a prayer together. Then Matt Light had us promise that we wouldn’t let anyone break the circle. In that moment, it wasn’t just a group of people standing together—it felt like we had created a real bond and brotherhood. That is something I’ll never forget. 

One thing I always tried to remind the young men was that 1% better every day is the goal. You don’t have to become the best version of yourself overnight. The goal is to keep growing, learning, and becoming better every single day. 

My time at Camp Vohokase prepared me by teaching me to be a sponge—to listen, learn, and take in everything that people around me were trying to teach me. I took those lessons from camp and applied them to my real life, and they have continued to serve me well. Camp taught me leadership, accountability, brotherhood, discipline, and the importance of giving back. Now I have the opportunity to take those same lessons and pour them into the young men coming through the program. 

Being able to give someone else even a piece of what the Foundation gave me is something I’m extremely grateful for.” 

Anton is currently working as a machine operator while continuing to look for opportunities to work with and pour into young people. Although his career is in manufacturing, the lessons he learned through the Light Foundation and Camp Vohokase continue to shape the way he approaches his life and future. 

His story is a powerful example of what it means to give back. The lessons, relationships, and experiences that were invested in Anton years ago are now being passed on to a new generation of young men. 

Jalen and Anton’s stories represent one of the most important parts of the Camp Vohokase experience: the impact doesn’t end when the four-year program does. 

Our hope is that every young man who comes through Camp Vohokase carries the lessons of responsibility, ethics, accountability, and leadership — along with brotherhood — long after he leaves Chenoweth Trails. We want those lessons to follow them into their education, careers, relationships, families, and communities.  

Jalen and Anton are living examples of that continued impact. They once came to Camp Vohokase as campers, learning from the counselors and mentors who invested in them. This year, they returned as leaders, ready to invest in someone else. 

Jalen and Anton, thank you for coming back. Thank you for investing your time, energy, and experience into the next generation of Camp Vohokase leaders. Thank you for stepping into roles that require patience, responsibility, and a genuine commitment to our young men.

You once came to Camp Vohokase as campers. This year, you came back as leaders. Thank you, Jalen and Anton, for helping us continue the tradition. Once a Vohokase brother, always a Vohokase brother.