Apply!
Application Deadline is March 26th
May 11-31, 2024
Garden City, SC
The Leadership Project is a 3-week experience for college students that provides an opportunity to grow spiritually and develop leadership and character.
Includes:
Housing
Dinner 3x a week
Training Materials
Price:
$1,700
College logos: Georgia Tech, Clemson Tigers, USF, Georgia Bulldogs, Presbyterian College, WCU Catamount
Join students from other colleges!
College logos: FSU Mocs, Benedict Tigers, USC Gamecocks, Wofford Terriers, SEU FireCollege logos: Georgia Tech, Clemson Tigers, USF, Georgia Bulldogs, Presbyterian College, WCU Catamount, FSU Mocs, Benedict Tigers, USC Gamecocks, Wofford Terriers, SEU Fire
Live
Spend the first few weeks of your summer experiencing God as you live alongside peers, sharing life and making memories.
Learn
Learn and grow in your walk with Jesus; whether you are exploring Christianity for the first time or have been walking with God for awhile.
Lead
Leave the LP with character, skills, and experience to be a leader on your campus and in the world after graduation.

Week at a Glance

LP24 Week at a glance chart
See below for descriptions to these featured blocks and additional events not shown.

*Blocks in blue are mandatory times. This is just a general weekly schedule; time blocks are subject to change.

Schedule

Devotional

Devote yourself and your day to God through an extended time of personal and small group Bible study and prayer each morning.

Church

Every Sunday, you will attend a local church with your region. We highly value the local church, so we've made attending church a part of your summer experience.

Free Time

Whether you want to rest & reflect during this time, get errands done, connect with staff, or go do something fun with friends - the option is yours! Within walking distance there's the beach, arcade, coffee shop, fishing pier, basketball courts, and marsh boardwalk!

Group Night

Each student will be living with a group of 3-4 participants. On this night, you will connect with your roommates in meaningful conversation about yourself and the things you've been learning as well as experience life together!

Dinners

Gather with everyone in the main common area for a provided catered dinner three times a week. Dietary restrictions will be accommodated for.

Socials

From scavenger hunts to field days, sand castle building competitions, and jousting... our socials team knows how to create fun!

Training Sessions

Over the summer, you will learn more about God and how to follow Jesus. These are teaching and workshop times led by Campus Outreach staff about topics listed below.

  • Bible Study - The Bible is a big book and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed! You will explore the main theme of the Bible and learn what it has to say about your life and following Jesus in tangible ways. You will learn practical tools to help understand what the Bible has to say on your own and with others.
  • Prayer - Praying can be intimidating and sometimes feel aimless, but it doesn't have to be. During Jesus’s life on earth, he often went away to be alone and pray to God because of His continual fellowship with his Father. Learn the why & hows of prayer at these trainings.
  • Evangelism - Ever feel awkward bringing up faith? Learn how to navigate conversations about faith in a more natural way to both friends and strangers. At training you will learn a illustration to communicate the gospel.
  • Stewardship - This stage of life is when many form convictions and patterns on how to steward the life God has given them. At training, you will look at what God's word says to topics such as stewarding our resources, time, and body to help you navigate life.
Theme & Worship Nights

There are many powerful themes in the Bible, and each summer we select one unique biblical theme to focus and study on. On these nights, we will dive deep into this theme and also worship God through songs.

Seminars

These seminars are about unique topics that are most relevant to you in this season of life. (1) Girls/Guys Time, (2) Relationship Seminar, (3) Diversity Night

Mobilization Training

At the end of the Project, you explore next step opportunities for you whether you are going back to school or graduating college. Learn what it might look like for you to be a part of what God is doing in the world.

Gauntlet (Optional Workout)

Are you an athlete or just like to get your body moving? Join us at Gauntlet on weekday mornings and jumpstart your day with a fun & challenging group workout!

This could be the summer of your life!
What are you waiting for?

Apply!

Here is what students have to say about LP!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which one are you?

I just applied, what's next?

After applying for LP, the Project director will review your application. When approved, an email will be sent to you confirming your acceptance and containing a link to the commitment form. To secure your spot, you must commit through that form and pay the $100 deposit (which will count towards the total cost).

What important dates do I need to know?

March 26- Application deadline

April 9- Commitment deadline

by May 11- Full payment due

May 11 - LP begins!

May 31 - LP ends :(

Who is LP for?

LP is for college students in various stages of faith who desire to grow in following Jesus. Whether you are exploring Christianity for the first time or have been walking with Jesus for a while, there is something for you at LP.

What does the cost cover?

The cost covers lodging, materials for LP and 3 provided meals a week. Grocery, travel and laundromat costs are not included.

Where will I live?

Staff and students of the Campus Outreach Central Florida region will be staying in a privately beach rentals in Garden City Beach that is a street away from the beach and a 5 minute drive from our meeting space. This includes all staff and students from our region. Staff and students will live in separate rooms. Student rooms will be pre-assigned and divided into men's rooms and women's rooms. Each room has access to a kitchen, living room, bathroom and closet space.

Why Garden City, SC?

Garden City boasts of it’s close proximity to the beach, quiet atmosphere without many distractions, and it’s convinience to fun places!

Why 3 weeks?

We want to respect your time for the summer! Three weeks brings enough time and opportunity to learn and produce new spiritual habits as well as allow much time back home to be with family, friends, and pursue professional opportunities (jobs, internships, etc).

How do I get to LP?

Students can drive, carpool, or be dropped off at the LP. There is a designated free parking lot across from our hotel for the duration of the LP. Students can also fly into Myrtle Beach. If you need help arranging your transportation please let someone on your campus staff team know. Transportation costs are not covered in the cost of the LP.

What is our daily schedule?

Check out this schedule from a previous LP. The schedule is a mix of mandatory meeting times and free times throughout the day.

How will LP help my spiritual & leadership development?

During the LP, you will learn the whys and hows of spiritual disciplines such as prayer, evangelism, daily bible reading, and more. The LP environment and length also provides space and time to practice walking out these disciplines in the aim of helping you develop lifelong patterns. By engaging in this experience alongside peers, you will be challenged and encouraged to walk with God and love others well. The LP is also designed as a space where you can spend time with God, learn more of who He is, and learn yourself better in the process. We believe all of this leads to heart and character change that will aid in your leadership in whatever sphere of life God has you in.

What can I do during my free time at the LP?

Your free time is open to whatever you want to do as long as you abide by the LP rules and policies on and off project. You can play sports, go shopping, head to the beach, take a nap and rest, etc.

What if I need to take summer classes or an internship over the summer?

We want you to graduate on time or obtain an internship while not passing on this unique summer opportunity! While we might answer your questions below, each scenario is different. Therefore, we think it would be helpful for you to connect with your campus staff about your situation and discern the best step for you.

Summer classes: you may work on your online courses during the free time slots. Let us know if you're taking summer classes so we can provide you the WiFi password.

Below are some scenarios with internships:

  • Ask if you can start your internship right after the end of LP.
  • If not, can you do online work while at LP? Depending on your employer, you may be able to negotiate based on your situation.

We believe that LP is not only beneficial for your faith but also your future professional career! As you communicate this, let them know that you will be gaining soft skills in character and leadership development which are beneficial for your professional endeavors.

What if I have to leave the LP at some point for a wedding/graduation/etc.?

All LP out of town trips and events need to be approved by our director. If you need to miss time for an event during LP please reach out us at centralflorida@campusoutreach.org to request permission.

I have other questions...

Please feel free to ask any staff person at your campus or email us at tabby.akers@campusoutreach.org

What is Leadership Project (LP)?

The Leadership Project (LP) is living, learning, and leading with other college students for three weeks in Garden City, SC. Each student participates in Bible studies, discipleship groups, ministry training, evangelistic outreaches, and other activities throughout the week. This challenging schedule creates an environment for students to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ as well as develop ministry skills and leadership qualities.

Find out more by watching this LP Overview video from 2021.

Who will be at LP?

Staff and students from three Campus Outreach regions (CO Atlanta, CO Central Florida, and CO Columbia) will join together this year for the LP. All three regions will be together for trainings, worship, provided meals, and social events. Each region will live in their own housing arrangements.

Where will my child live?

Staff and students of the Campus Outreach Central Florida region will be staying in a privately beach rentals in Garden City Beach that is a street away from the beach and a 5 minute drive from our meeting space. This includes all staff and students from our region. Staff and students will live in separate rooms. Student rooms will be pre-assigned and divided into men's rooms and women's rooms. Each room has access to a kitchen, living room, bathroom and closet space.

Is LP a good investment for my child's spiritual and leadership development?

In our experience, a student can grow outside of a program like LP, but it can be difficult. LP allows students to get away for 3 weeks to a place where they are in an environment that is a greenhouse for growth. Students will grow personally in their relationship with God while also gaining soft skills and experience that will aid them professionally.

Will I receive more information if my child goes?

The person each student lists as their guardian contact on their commitment form will be emailed all the important info prior to the start of LP. It will include a letter from the director, emergency contact number, and address of the event.

How will I know what's going on?

You will receive communications catered to you as a parent with relevant information about LP prior to the event with details such as the location, schedule, and thoughts on the content. Additionally you will receive three updates at the start, middle, and end of LP. These updates will include student testimonials and thoughts about what they are learning with updates on how the project is running.

What safety precautions are there for my child?

Our staff take the safety of your child seriously, so we've implemented several safety policies including a nightly curfew, a gated premises, and passcode locked room doors.

Can I visit my child?

We would love for parents to come and visit their children, but we also want the students to have the full experience of LP in our short 3 weeks together. If it's possible, we ask that you only come and visit your child for a short duration during the free times (especially on the weekends).

*If your child plans to stay overnight with you, please have your child request permission from the Regional Director, David Springer (david.springer@campusoutreach.org) first.

What is the benefit to a student fundraising their LP attendance cost?

Students are not required to fundraise. Each student is free to pay for LP however he/she wishes. However, we do allow students to fundraise and encourage them to do so via asking personal contacts to give them a financial donation. This is our strategy for several reasons:

  1. Many students would not be able to attend LP if they could not raise the finances to attend. When multiple students come together to each raise their funds for the LP they are mutually encouraged and helped.
  2. Many people have a heart for college students but obviously cannot personally be there to impact students' lives. When someone gives financial support, it allows him/her to invest in what God is doing on the college campus. Hundreds of investors (donors who give to an LP attendee) have commented on how much growth they observed in the attendee when they got back from LP, and what a joy it was to play a vital role in the process.
  3. It is Biblical for a person to receive support from others while doing God's work (The Jews gave to the Levites- Numbers 18:24; Jesus received support so he could devote himself full time to his ministry- Luke 8:2,3; Paul stopped tent-making to preach full time while covering costs via the generosity of others- Acts 18:4,5). Part of God's work is personal spiritual growth and development.

During the spring, we offer participants training in raising support. We do not want potential supporters to feel guilted into giving to a student going to LP. Our experience is that if a student communicates the purpose and content of the LP summer experience in a clear manner, the supporter will often jump at the chance to give.

In what ways can I help?

Most importantly, you can pray for them.

  • That they would
  • For a sincere love for Christ (Ephesians 3:14-19, Philippians 1:9-11)
  • That they would grow as Christ’s disciple and shine as a light in the world (Romans 12:2, 1 John 2:15-16)
  • That they would grow in Christ’s likeness in love, faith, and good works (John 13:34-35, Romans 4:20-21)
Who can I speak to if I have more questions?

Please email the staff member closest to your student, or contact a Campus Outreach staff at the school they attend. If you have an urgent question for our office, call (863) 603-7777 or email us at tabby.akers@campusoutreach.org.

We thank you for your commitment to your student. We believe that the Bible is clear that your student is to honor his or her parents. Therefore, we ask all students to have a discussion over the Leadership Project with their parents. When a student commits to going, parents will receive a packet of information with further details about the Leadership Project.