As the Black Belt Legacy Camp provides students a week-long lesson in life skills, the students leave with an even greater sense of purpose and appreciation for the places they are from.

The summer camp, hosted by the BBCF and Auburn’s Center for Educational Outreach and Engagement, gives students the opportunity to explore a college environment and attend workshops focusing on leadership, team building, community engagement, career exploration and financial literacy. It is what they take away after they leave the camp, however, that deserves special attention.

Developing a desire to make your communities better is what we need young students in Dallas County. The future leaders of the community need to have that drive that many leaders have now to make positive changes in our community.

Camps like this make future leaders.