“No one can really know what you are called to or what you
are capable of but you.
Even if no one sees or understands, you are irreplaceable.”
– Mark Nepo
Even if no one sees or understands, you are irreplaceable.”
– Mark Nepo
Every summer the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation
brings children ages 12-17 from throughout the world to the Patton Campus in
Elizabethtown, PA to experience what they are capable of. Through a series of social emotional, mental,
and physical challenges, we invite over 100 students and 30 staff to explore
leadership from the inside out. Through
safe and supportive, developmentally appropriate groups (teams) we explore our
capabilities, significance, and worthiness.
Some students arrive cautious and tentative and leave empowered, knowing
they are capable of greatness. They
leave with written plans of action defining how they will be servant leaders to
their schools, communities, houses of worship, organizations, and
families. The Pennsylvania Masonic Youth
Foundation, through the Life Skills Conference, is positively impacting school
organizations, school buildings, and school districts. The Life Skills staff and participants return
to their schools and help them understand the integration of social emotional
learning with academic achievement.
The essence of our work in the Pennsylvania Masonic Life
Skills Conference is to create caring and compassionate young men and
women. Change agents who understand that
leadership is not about accolades, but about helping all to achieve. An essential ingredient in that achievement
is the service we must provide to our communities and fellow human
beings. As we serve others, we
improve. Our prosperity is not only
measured in acquisitions and bank statements.
Our prosperity is also measured in the joy of making our world a bit better
because of our contribution.
Kind-heartedness and genuine concern for the welfare of others is our
life’s work. Every step forward in
service and leadership benefits everyone.
The Pennsylvania Masonic Life Skills Conference will be held July
20-25, 2014.
