LEAD Camp Information

WELCOME TO WEEK 3 OF LEAD 2025 (July 27-Aug 1, 2025)!

LEAD 2025 is finally here, and we’re excited to give another year of campers a life-changing summer! Below you can find critical information for parents and campers alike, including packing, lodging, check-in, events, and more. Please review each section of this page carefully, and download the confirmation packet with the button to the right. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the SSI office at the contacts below at any time.

Before you come:

Make sure you are prepared for an awesome week! Please read below for a list of important information. 

• CAMP PHONE NUMBER: If you have any questions during the week of camp, you can email office@archive.ssionline.org or call 517-321-6233 from 9am-5pm. If you have an after-hours emergency, call 517-321-6233 ext 2. If your call goes to voicemail, leave a message and someone will call you back as soon as possible. 
• DORMS: Dorms will be assigned before LEAD. On the registration form, campers had the opportunity to indicate whether they would like to be assigned to room with a specific person. Campers wishing to room together MUST have both requested the other as a roommate in the appropriate field on the registration form. We cannot guarantee to assign roommates as requested, but if we are able, we will do so. Dorm assignments cannot be changed at camp.
  • Each dorm room accommodates two people. No camper will be alone in a room. Campers will receive a room and dorm key during their stay at SAU; however, any campers who lose their key will be responsible to pay SAU for the cost of replacing it before checking out on Friday. All campers will be housed in air-conditioned dorms.
  • Men’s and Women’s dorm buildings are separate. There are two styles of dorms at SAU: suite-style villages and residence halls where both styles hold two people per room. The Villages are suite-style where four people share one bathroom. The residence halls have a large communal bathroom for each hallway. Each summer, LEAD utilizes a combination of Village and residential style housing.
    • For Week 3, male dorms will be the suite-style with four people sharing one bathroom. Female dorms will be the residence hall style with communal bathrooms. Campers may wish to bring flipflops to wear in the shower.
• MEDICATIONS: All medications should have been indicated on the registration form. Any and all medications your camper brings with them will need to be handed in to our medical coordinator at check-in. If your camper did not indicate medications on the registration form or there has been any change to medications since registering, please contact the office with updated information.
• CAMP POLICIES: Prior to coming to LEAD, please read over the “LEAD Camp Policies” with your camper. Campers are expected to be aware of and adhere to these policies during LEAD. A copy of the camp policies will be included in your camper’s binder.
• DRESS CODE: Bring appropriate clothing for the various events of the week (you can find more information in the (“LEAD Dress Code Guide“). If your camper attended Week 1, they were given a LEAD t-shirt at check-in. They will not be given another t-shirt in any subsequent weeks of camp they attend.
• PACKING LIST: LEAD provides bed frames, mattresses, and showers, but any bedding or toiletries (soap, bath towels, sheets/sleeping bag, etc.) should be brought by you. Look under the “What to Bring” section within “Details and Policies” to for a suggested packing list.
• DIRECTIONS & MAPS: If you need directions to Spring Arbor University or the Legislative Sessions in Lansing, you can find the most up-to-date information by clicking here.

Arrival & Check-in:

Camper check-in will be open 5:15-6:15pm in the Poling Center at Spring Arbor University (133 Ogle Ave, Spring Arbor, MI 49283). All campers should arrive before 6:15pm. Camper orientation will begin promptly at 6:30pm.

If you are delayed and arriving late, PLEASE call us at 517-321-6233. Campers arriving after 6:30pm should bring their luggage to orientation. They will have time to take their luggage to their rooms afterward.

Pizza will be served Sunday night at 8:15pm. As it is very late in the day, you may want to get dinner before dropping off your camper.

Closing Ceremony & Check-out:

The Closing Ceremony on Friday will begin at 4:30pm at Spring Arbor’s White Auditorium on Cottage Street on Spring Arbor’s campus. All parents and families are invited to attend. If you are not attending the closing ceremony, please arrive before 6:00pm to check-out your camper immediately after the closing ceremony ends.

Before you leave campus with your camper, both the camper and parent (or approved pick-up individual) need to check out with an SSI staff member. This is to confirm that your camper has all their belongings and that the camper is being released to an approved individual on the camper’s registration. To add approved pick-up individuals, please visit your Dashboard on your registration.

Events: 

• Events (All Parents and Families are welcome and invited to join us at the following events):

  • First-time camper Parent Meeting: Parents of first-time campers are invited to an informational meeting at 6:15pm on Sunday. This meeting will be led by SSI President Joseph Cecil and is located in the Den in the lower level of the Kresge Student Life Center at Spring Arbor University. This is optional but recommended for parents of first-time campers. It will include an overview of what the week will look like for your camper and include a time for questions.
  • Chapel: Parents are welcome to join us for evening Chapel on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in the Ralph Carey Forum in the Kresge Student Life Center at Spring Arbor University. All services are at 6:30pm.

  Final Track Presentations:

  • Film Premiere: Film campers will have a film premiere on Wednesday, July 30th at 8:00pm in the Ralph Carey Forum at Spring Arbor University. Teams will also have their short films displayed during the Closing Ceremony on Friday, August 1st.
  • Campaign Debate: Campaign campers will participate in a debate with their teams on Thursday, July 31st at 6:45pm in the White Auditorium at Spring Arbor University.
  • Robotics Presentation and Competitions: Robotics campers will give presentations on Friday, August 1st from 1:00-1:45pm and then will have their robot competition from 2:00-4:00pm. Presentations will take place in the Poling Center and the competitions will take place in the Ralph Carey Forum at Spring Arbor University.
  • House and Senate Legislative Sessions: House and Senate campers will debate their bills on Friday, August 1st in the Capitol Building in Lansing. Please check our website for detailed information before coming. The House session will begin at 10:30am in the House Chambers. The Senate session will begin at 10:30am in the Senate Chambers. Please use the gallery for both Chambers. *Because the House of Representatives are still in session, there is a possibility that we will move from the Chambers. Please check our website or social media for updates before going to the Capitol.
  • Journalism campers will not have a particular presentation event, but instead will have their work showcased throughout the week.

  Closing Ceremony: We will have a closing ceremony on Friday, August 1st at 4:30pm in the White Auditorium at Spring Arbor University. All families are invited to attend.