One of the highlights of my visit to Camp Neidig this year was the wonderful surprise of seeing such strong representation from our club. Thank you to all of the Rotary Members who took time out of their busy schedules to spend the evening at the camp program. Your presence reflected the very best of Rotary—supporting young leaders while enjoying the fellowship that brings us together.
Before the campers ever arrived at Camp Neidig, a great deal of work went into recruiting and preparing them for this opportunity. I would like to extend a special thank you to Dan Yocum, Karla Myers, and our Interact Advisors, Alison Kircher and Jen Detwiler, for their efforts in promoting the program, recruiting students, and organizing their participation. Their dedication helped ensure that our club was well represented by an outstanding group of young leaders.
Dan and I also had the pleasure of driving the students to camp, courtesy of Steve Kendra's vehicle. The ride provided a wonderful opportunity to get to know the students better and to hear firsthand their excitement—and yes, a few nervous thoughts—as they anticipated the weekend ahead. Watching that mix of enthusiasm, curiosity, and anticipation made it even more rewarding to see the confidence and growth they displayed by the end of the program.
Camp Neidig is 100% funded by Rotary Clubs, and witnessing the impact of that investment firsthand was truly inspiring. This year's theme, Community, was woven throughout the entire program and served as a reminder of the importance of working together, supporting one another, and building meaningful connections.
We had the opportunity to hear from Camp Director Devin Nonnenman, who is serving in the role for the first time this year. What makes his story especially meaningful is that he was once a Camp Neidig attendee himself. Seeing a former camper return to lead the program is a powerful example of the lasting impact this experience can have on young people.
Throughout the evening, communication emerged as one of the most important lessons campers were learning. Several students shared that while everyone wants to be the leader, effective leadership often means supporting the current leader and helping the entire team succeed. Listening was emphasized as an essential leadership skill, and campers were even given penalty points if they talked over one another. It was a simple but effective way to reinforce respect, collaboration, and the value of truly hearing others. As I listened to the students reflect on these lessons, I couldn't help but think about how powerful this message is for us as Rotary Members as well. We all bring unique talents, ideas, and leadership abilities to our club, but our greatest success comes when we support our club's leadership and find ways to contribute to our shared goals. Leadership is not always about being at the front of the room; often it is about working together, listening to one another, and helping the team succeed.
One of the most rewarding parts of the evening was hearing directly from the students about how grateful they were for Rotary's support. Many expressed sincere appreciation to the Rotary clubs that sponsored their attendance, recognizing that this opportunity would not have been possible without Rotary's investment in their leadership development. Their gratitude was heartfelt and served as a reminder of the difference our support makes.
I was especially proud to learn that students from our Interact Club were not only representing our community well, but were also encouraging other campers to start Interact Clubs at their own high schools. Watching these young leaders share their experiences and inspire others to become involved in service demonstrated the ripple effect that Rotary and Interact can have far beyond our own community.
Camp Co-Chair Wendy Bodi of the Allentown Rotary Club summed up the spirit of the program perfectly when she shared, "You do good things, you meet good people." That message resonated deeply and felt like a perfect description of both Camp Neidig and Rotary.
Of course, camp wasn't all leadership lessons. There was plenty of energy, enthusiasm, and fun as well. Campers proudly shared stories of early mornings that sometimes began at 5:00 a.m., team challenges, and friendly competitions. I was especially excited to learn that the Purple Team won both the tug-of-war competition and the award for Best Group. Since purple happens to be my favorite color, I may have been cheering just a little louder for them!
On a personal note, sitting in the second row from the front during the program brought back memories of my very first Camp Neidig experience when Suzi Berry was serving as our Club President in 2018. It was a special reminder of how Rotary creates traditions and experiences that connect us over time.
Most importantly, the evening reinforced why Camp Neidig continues to be such a valuable Rotary program. These students are developing confidence, communication skills, and leadership abilities that will serve them throughout their lives. They are learning that leadership is not just about being in charge—it's about listening, supporting others, and building community.
Thank you again to everyone who attended. Your support helps ensure that Camp Neidig continues to inspire and develop the next generation of leaders, and I am proud that our club plays a part in making that possible.
In Rotary
Sarah Bergin
President 2025-26
