My experience as a first time junior leader at SUPA and Beyond North 2025

Written by Brayden Cox-Pregnall.

I honestly feel so incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to watch the campers grow and build such amazing friendships over the course of the camp. As a junior leader, you never quite know what to expect — but I was genuinely blown away by how open-hearted, curious, and adventurous these kids were.

One of the most memorable moments for me was during a trip down to the beach. I was walking with a group of campers — who were enthusiastically searching for crabs along the rocks. As I made sure they were always within my sight, I was enjoying a quiet stroll nearby. Suddenly, one of the girls shouted my name: “Brayden! Come look at this!!” She sounded absolutely thrilled. I ran over, and sure enough, she’d found a tiny crab, grinning from ear to ear as she introduced him as “Baby Dave.” She was so proud of her little discovery and completely convinced that we should bring him back to camp. It was such a small moment, but it captured the wonder and joy of being a kid — that pure excitement over nature, discovery, and sharing it with someone they trust.

Later that day, I had a bit of a quiet moment to myself, and as I looked around at all these incredible young people, I felt this wave of emotion. They reminded me so much of myself when I was younger. Their energy, their sense of adventure, their eagerness to connect — it’s something that’s hard to put into words. It made me realise how SU camps have this way of planting a seed of confidence, fun, and belonging in every camper that comes through.

Throughout the week, I started noticing how much the campers were connecting with me. They began giving me nicknames, pulling me into their games, and always calling me over when something exciting happened. It made me feel like I was truly making a difference — not just supervising or leading, but being there for them in a way that mattered. I felt seen, appreciated, and trusted.

One night in particular — Saturday — really stood out. I was lying in bed in the cabin, and one of the boys asked me how I got involved with SU and what my journey was like. I started sharing my story, from being a camper myself to becoming a junior leader. Partway through, some of his friends barged in, being pretty loud, but he actually turned to them and said, “Can you guys be quiet? I want to hear this.” That moment nearly brought tears to my eyes. To feel like my story mattered, like someone genuinely cared to hear how I got to where I am — it was powerful.

Then came Sunday, and we slowly concluded camp on such an energetic moment. That night, we all gathered around the bonfire, and while most kids were buzzing with excitement, one girl seemed a bit unsettled and unsure about joining in. I kept an eye on her, hoping she’d feel comfortable soon. As we started playing Mafia, something changed. Slowly, she began getting more involved — asking questions, leaning in, laughing at the twists. Before long, she was so engulfed in the game that she was fully invested. At one point, her friends were chatting too loudly and she turned around and told them, “Shhh! I’m trying to focus!!” Watching her come out of her shell and feel that sense of belonging and fun — it was one of the most rewarding parts of the whole weekend.

There was also a young girl who really warmed my heart. She was always eager to talk, full of questions and kindness. One day I noticed she had written my name on the whiteboard and drew little love hearts around it. It was her simple way of saying “thank you,” and it meant the world to me. It reminded me that even small gestures can leave a big impact.

What I’ve come to realise is that these campers — while they may seem young — are incredibly thoughtful, deep, and full of potential. And for someone like me, who was in their shoes just five years ago, it makes the connection even stronger. I understand their perspective. I know how it feels to look up to a leader and wonder if one day, you could be in their place.

Now I am — and I couldn’t be prouder to stand where I do today.