For the Plant City Rising Seniors in Camp Vohokase, leadership means more than showing up. It means working together, supporting one another, and finding ways to serve others. During a recent visit in Florida, the young men put those lessons into action at the Salvation Army Family Shelter in Lakeland, where they helped clean and prepare an emergency disaster response vehicle for deployment to assist individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Isaias.
The project gave the group an opportunity to see how teamwork and preparation can make a difference when communities need help most. It also reflected Camp Vohokase’s commitment to completing a community service project each year and finding meaningful ways to give back.
After completing the service project, the group spent the rest of the day enjoying some friendly competition, from mini-golf at PopStroke in Lutz to laser tag at Main Event, bowling at Orange Bowl Lanes, and an escape room challenge at Escapology in Lakeland. Along the way, the young men strengthened their relationships through friendly competition, shared laughs, and plenty of opportunities to challenge one another. Whether celebrating a strike or working through a tricky puzzle, the day offered a chance to enjoy one another’s company while putting teamwork into practice.
At Escapology, the group chose the facility’s hardest escape room. Working together, they successfully escaped using just five hints, with less than a minute and a half remaining on the clock! After a full day of service and activities, the group wrapped up the evening overdinner at Golden Corral in Lakeland, sharing stories and reflecting on the day’s experiences.
At Camp Vohokase, leadership is built through experiences that challenge young men to grow, work together, and recognize their responsibility to others. This visit offered an opportunity to put those lessons into practice by helping prepare the Salvation Army’s emergency disaster response vehicle while strengthening the relationships they’ve built throughout the program.
From serving others to tackling challenges together, these young men demonstrated what it means to be R.E.A.L. men: Responsible, Ethical, Accountable Leaders. These experiences reinforce the importance of taking responsibility, supporting others, and putting their values into action long after the day is over.
