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Life at Longacre means becoming part of a caring community.  It means balancing and incorporating acceptance and diversity, respect and direct communication, freedom and responsibility, work and play.

For thirty-five summers, teenagers ages 12-18 have come together and built strong communities on our beautiful central Pennsylvania farm.  At Longacre, we have always believed that teenagers can demonstrate responsibility and make good decisions when given the appropriate amount of structure, encouragement, and support.  Teenagers have always designed their own summers here and have learned how to run crews, communicate ideas, and contribute to the community in meaningful ways.  Staff members mentor and guide participants as they take an increasingly active role in the life of the community.

Throughout the summer, staff and returning students model direct communication, and participants practice this four nights a week during community meetings.  At each meeting, skilled facilitators guide teenagers through two or three specific activities and each community member is encouraged to participate.  Supported by staff and returning community members, participants learn how to take risks when communicating their ideas, and how to own what they feel without judging others.  They also learn how to hear what others have to say without taking offense.  We feel direct communication is a vital component of leadership. 

At Longacre, we give participants leadership skills and tools to use, while setting up a safe environment for them to practice using them.  From building a greenhouse to communicating their ideas, we hope they take these important skills and tools home with them.

leadership summer camp activities leadership