Student Development Spotlight: Leading with "Love" at Cal Aggie Camp

For nearly sixty-five years, children from the foster care system and underserved communities have come to Cal Aggie Camp during the summer months to experience the outdoors and enjoy being a kid. This opportunity is provided at no cost to parents, agencies, or foster parents. The time spent at Cal Aggie Camp is not only transformative for the children, but has lasting impacts on the UC Davis students who serve as camp counselors. This is certainly true for Leilani Williams. Known within the camp community as "Love," Leilani serves as the Student Director of Cal Aggie Camp, a role that has not only defined her college experience but has fundamentally reshaped her future.

A Life-Changing Trajectory

Leilani’s journey with Cal Aggie Camp began during her freshman year at UC Davis. While she originally arrived on campus as a political science major, the time she spent working with campers sparked a new passion for child development and education. She eventually switched her majors to psychology and sociology and added an education minor, setting her sights on becoming an elementary school teacher.

The most rewarding aspect of her work, she says, is simply being at camp and witnessing the excitement of the kids as they dive into planned activities. Beyond the fun, the role has provided her with foundational leadership skills, from coordinating with co-counselors to managing a cabin of campers who might be "rioting" against bedtime.

The Challenges and Opportunities of Leadership

While being at camp and experiencing all of the fun activities is the highlight of the job, the Student Director role is a year-round commitment. Leilani notes that people might be surprised by the heavy workload during the Fall quarter. During this time, the Student Director carries much of the administrative burden, which includes handling counselor applications, planning slides, and organizing staff interviews. These responsibilities are taken care of largely by the Student Director, alongside Cal Aggie Camp director, Danielle Jones (camp name "Ladybug"), until the full student leadership team is established in the winter.

Students interested in becoming Cal Aggie Camp counselors go through an in-depth application process that includes written responses, group interviews, and thorough criminal background checks. Once selected, camp staff are all required to be first-aid and CPR certified prior to starting work. Student staff are also required to enroll in EDU 198,  a ten-week, two-unit internship training course. The class includes topics required by the American Camp Association, including, but not limited to: camp purpose and outcomes, risk management, behavior management, and responding to emergency situations. All staff are trained on their responsibilities as mandated reporters, which is a top training priority.

Leilani’s advice for future students seeking the Student Director role is to be bold: "Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box". While Cal Aggie Camp honors long-standing traditions, Leilani encourages new leaders to forge their own paths rather than simply following what has been done in the past.

The Power of Wish Boats

While Cal Aggie Camp provides a safe and fun environment for campers, it’s not lost on the counselors that many participants face extremely difficult circumstances at home. These realities often translate into behavioral or emotional challenges on the ground. To lead effectively in this environment, Leilani emphasizes the need for patience, understanding, and a healthy dose of spontaneity.

One of the most poignant traditions Leilani shared is the Wish Boats ceremony. On the final night of camp, each cabin constructs a boat from wood scraps and string. Every camper writes a wish to place inside, and at sunset, the boats are sent out onto the lake in a moment of quiet reflection. "It really makes you realize what they're going back to at the end of the week," Leilani reflected, noting that while some wishes are heartbreaking, she is grateful to provide the children with a week of stress-free, regular kid fun.

Looking Ahead

The spirit of Cal Aggie Camp is alive and well today thanks to people like Leilani and the other UC Davis undergraduates who volunteer their time to positively impact the campers’ lives. As she continues her work with Cal Aggie Camp and Campus Recreation, Leilani remains focused on building community. She is currently exploring ways to bridge the gap between camp life and college life by partnering with the Guardian Scholars Program to host campus tours and workshops for older campers, helping them envision a future at UC Davis. Through her dedication, "Love" is ensuring that the impact of Cal Aggie Camp lasts long after the boats have drifted across the lake.