Caption: Forty-three members from the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter attended Timberland Leadership Camp June 3rd-6th, along with the Sleepy Eye Advisors and the Minnesota State FFA Officers. Pictured left to right: Front Row- Emma Braford (State Vice President), Kaylie Fulmer, Laylana Hoffmann, Abigail Krzmarzick, Lucia Martinez, Alex Confer, Lily Kallevig, Paola Gonzalez, Taylor Berkner, Jace Schauman, Jaelynn Schauman, Chloe Okerman, Karina Martinez, Torri Gunderson (State Sentinel), Kamille Capacia, Ruby Tauer, Cole Sundeen (State Treasurer). Middle: Mrs. Hoffmann, Lauren Stoel (State President), Kaiya Grossman (State Secretary), Sam Rodriguez, Kaiya Confer, Anna Johnson, Aranza Tovar Garces, Breanna Lopez, Megan Sellner, Madi Martinez, Makayla Strong, Kenley Jensen, Ava Sellner, Natalie Fulmer, Elsie Trebesch, Eric Lozano, Natalie Clemenson (State Reporter), Mr. Hendrickx, Ms. Emmett. Back row: Emerson Johnson, Zack Dominguez, Mateo Hornsby, Noah Christensen, Carsten Nienhaus, Jose Castorena, Cameron Moore, Kayden Klein, Logan Ludewig, Dawson Friton, Charlie Hoffmann, Ari Krzmarzick, Noah Rossbach, Carter Lazatin, Ethan Feucht. Not pictured: Ellie Rosales.
Forty-three Sleepy Eye FFA members traveled to Sibley State Park, near New London, from June 3rd-6th, 2024. Sleepy Eye FFA Advisors, Mary Hoffmann, Katie Emmett, and Paul Hendrickx; Camp Assistants, Morgan Hoffmann and Katalina Gonzalez; along with several members from the Tracy, Marshall, Mt. Lake, Springfield, and Miami East (Ohio) FFA chapters, attended the camp.
The Chapter Advisors, along with State Officers, do all of the programming, activities, and food for the camp for the week.
While at the leadership camp, FFA members got to experience many things including: get to know each other activities, a hike to Mount Tom, teamwork activities, survival in the forest, archery, and sessions about writing goals and the various opportunities in FFA.
Camp-goers learned about different activities that other FFA chapters do and different things in FFA that they can become involved in, such as, Career Development Events (CDE’s) and Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE’s). Teamwork was an important topic members learned about at the camp. Members of each chapter conducted their own ceremonies as they raised and lowered the flag each day at camp. Campers could also swim; play volleyball and nine square, or try other fun activities in their free time.
Camp members were joined by the entire 2024-25 State FFA Officer Team. They led sessions with activities regarding FFA opportunities and how to use your own personal qualities to contribute to a team.
On the last night of the camp, a banquet was held by the newly elected camp officers. The camp officers from Sleepy Eye included: Jose Castorena, Chloe Okerman, Kenley Jensen, Ava Sellner, Elsie Trebesch, Kamille Capacia, Paola Gonzalez, Karina Martinez, and Natalie Fulmer. Following the banquet, FFA members gathered for the camp talent show, minute-to-win it games, and finally, a dance.
Timberland Leadership Camp was a fantastic opportunity for all who attended. Camp-goers will be forever grateful for the opportunity to meet new people, create new friendships, grow personally, try new things, set goals, and find out more about what FFA has to offer.