One by One
Catapult Leadership Society, Recipient

Catapult Leadership Society

Fall River, Nova Scotia

Volunteer appreciation gifts send a meaningful message

Catapult Leadership Society is a registered charity dedicated to developing young leaders through fully funded leadership camps and programs for high school students. The organization focuses on youth who possess strong leadership potential yet face barriers to opportunity, helping them build confidence, life skills and a commitment to strengthening their communities. Barriers to opportunity include anything from financial challenges and geographic isolation to a lack of positive role models.

Unlike many leadership camps and programs, Catapult relies on high school teachers or youth workers to nominate students for involvement. “We’re really unique in that these students didn’t put their hand up or buy their way into camp,” said Lori Coughlin, executive director. “We typically receive about 100 nominations, and we accept 50 per year, which is what aligns with our fundraising. We take those 50 and we surround them with positivity and enlighten them to their leadership talents.”

Discovering their potential

Two Catapult Camps are held each August and provide students entering 10th grade with an immersive experience centered around confidence-building, teamwork, communication, community impact and more. The weeklong experience includes guest speakers, presentations, water games, a high-ropes course and a cook-off challenge.

For many students, recognizing their own leadership abilities is part of the fun. “Many of them didn’t see it before. Then they go through camp and they say, ‘I see it now. I get it,’” Coughlin said. “I always give them the Spider-Man® line, ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’”

Students continue to hone their powers through Catapult Plus, a camp alumni program that continues their leadership journeys through high school and into post-secondary life. Many alumni return to camp as volunteers, helping inspire and empower the next wave of young leaders.

Powered by volunteers

It takes a team of about 30 volunteers to run both camps. That includes several former campers who’ve chosen to give back to the organization that made a difference in their lives. “Our volunteer staff are at the very heart of Catapult,” Coughlin said.

As is the case for many nonprofits, budgets are tight, and serving students is the top priority. A one by one grant provided branded hoodies that were given as volunteer appreciation gifts. While volunteers receive promotional water bottles and bags each year, the hoodies were something more substantial—and something typically outside the budget. Coughlin said beyond a way to show appreciation, the gifts also help improve volunteer retention and increase brand awareness. “I love these triple wins,” she said. “It’s win upon win upon win.”

A note from Cheryl

Catapult has helped empower hundreds of youth through its annual camps and programs. It was an honor to support this work by providing volunteer appreciation gifts. If you’re interested in a one by one grant, visit onebyone.4imprint.ca.

All marks are the property of 4imprint or their respective owners.

For more information about Catapult Leadership Society, please visit https://www.catapultcamp.com/

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