Becoming a guide
Leadership Safari is more than just a university program for Kara Agby. For her, it is a way of life.
The Harrison Township sophomore started out in Leadership Safari as a participant, then served as a guide last year.
“I was a part of Core Team Minty Fresh, and I was the leader of Team Skunk," Agby said. "I was very nervous, but I knew what it was from my freshman year. I had a great experience and my participants were wonderful."
The road to becoming a Safari guide starts the year before they actually become a guide. Students interested in serve as a guides start out with an interview, and if they make it through, they go through training.
“There are about six training dates,” Agby said, adding that most of the training happens before summer vacation. “We all come back about a week before Safari starts. That’s much more focused. That’s where we finalize our schedule and work on bonding.”
Once freshmen arrive, the real work begins.
Agby said she loved the chance to pass on some knowledge and wisdom to her participants, and mainly because of this she still speaks with many of them.
“I always like to emphasize to my participants that the person you were in the past doesn’t have to be who you are now," she said. "Leadership Safari is the start of a clean slate. You can be whoever you want to be in college.”
Agby said she had a great experience as a guide.
“The week went so smooth,” she said. “I loved being a guide and being a role model for the students."
When she is not involved in Leadership Safari, she is still involved elsewhere on campus. Agby is a biomedical science major and psychology minor, and is involved in the Pre-Med and Osteopathic Society, as well as serving on the Homecoming committee. President of Campbell Hall.
“Safari is for everyone, and no matter how shy you are, Safari will break you out of that shell,” she said. “The things you learn in Safari help you out in college and in the real world, as well.”
Holland sophomore Eve Parker loved being a part of Leadership Safari. She took part on Safari her freshman year, as a member of Team Bear.
“I liked it a lot,” she said. “I felt like it made it easier to meet people and make friends. My guide was also really great. He did a great job of making sure we all participated and were included.”
Novi senior Savannah Green also participated in Leadership Safari her freshman year, as part of Team Cougar.
“I really liked it,” she said. “It is really great for freshmen to get involved and get acclimated to campus.”
Step-by-step:
1. Written application: This year due by Nov. 26. Asks for basic information, i.e. name, why you want to be in Safari, etc.
cut
2. Interviews: Jan 19-23 One-on-one between interviewer and applicant, discuss what you wrote on application, very basic theoretical questions, i.e. what would you do?...
cut
3. Spring training: 3 dates, 3 more dates. Final staff determined after first three dates. This year first three are February 1, 11, 22. Facilitating and debriefing, mock situations, emphasis of leadership skills. Last three dates are March 22, April 1, April12.
4. Fall training: Aug 18-21, bonding amongst guides, meet core guides, decorating, getting ready for freshmen, find out what animal you will be.
5. Safari starts August 22 - 26.
