Long summer days and campfires by night are beloved memories many have of summer camp. Working together to accomplish a goal, competing in a game, having to get along with many different types of people, exploring creative sides and feeling comfortable as yourself are all lessons learned at camp. But when and why did all that stop becoming important? That’s what Tammi Leader Fuller, the founder and CEO (Chief Empowerment Officer) of Campowerment, asked herself.
Leader Fuller left her 34-year career as a television producer and executive to create a teambuilding program that helps people focus inward and change lives through the “power of playtime.”
Campowerment began as a place for women to come together, be themselves, learn from each other and from professionals, and focus on personal health and wellness all while having fun. It’s what Leader Fuller describes as “purpose driven programming.” Experts in fields such as parenting, psychology, spirituality, fitness and nutrition, just to name a few, provide programs and lectures for personal development and reflection.
Leader Fuller saw that groups and corporations had these same needs, so now Campowerment and its programming extends to this market. Companies are realizing that when people work on themselves and build their personal development, they become not only better people, but better employees.
With the ability to customize the program based on needs and size, groups can incorporate a camp into their own retreat or meeting for the day, or with over 100 people can arrange for a one-, two- or the typical three-and-a-half-day camp.
“Go outside to get inside,” said Leader Fuller, adding that when you have all employees, from entry-level to upper management as well as the experts and speakers—all on the same playing field, people open up, work together and build a bond that lasts when everyone is back in the office.
For larger groups participating in the overnight or multiday option, Campowerment will take the group’s professional agenda and blend it with its own programming. When smaller groups of 30 to 40 people have a day-long company meeting, Campowerment can bring in experts and aspects of the camp such as teambuilding and competitive games to round out the retreat.
According to Fuller Leader, in the end it all comes down to “having purpose and being a better human, communicator, friend, boss and co-worker.”