Highland County, Virginia—FFA student leaders from across the region recently gathered for a high-energy leadership camp led by Almon Gunter, former world-class sprinter and Founder and CEO of AGE3, and John-Michael Castillo, COO of AGE3.
The leadership camp, Skillz in the Hillz, held at The Property in Leesburg, Virginia, combined live coaching, obstacle challenges, and group breakouts to give students practical leadership tools they can use in school, organizations, agriculture, and life.
Grounded in AGE3’s principles of mindset, communication, character, and service leadership, the program gave students opportunities to strengthen the way they lead themselves and others.
Leadership Built Through Everyday Choices
Throughout the experience, students were challenged to think beyond titles and positions and recognize that leadership is demonstrated through everyday decisions, communication, accountability, and service.
Gunter emphasized that FFA students already bring valuable qualities to the table, including grit, work ethic, responsibility, and a willingness to contribute.
The goal of the camp was to help strengthen those qualities with a practical mindset and leadership playbook students can use to create real impact.
Strong leaders are not built in one big moment. They are developed through the choices, habits, and actions repeated every day.
What Students Practiced
Set a Clear Vision
Students practiced identifying a clear direction and communicating that vision with confidence.
Lead With Character
Participants were challenged to remain grounded in integrity and character under pressure while embracing the mindset that every day is game day.
Build Trust
Students explored how strong communication, accountability, and quick conflict resolution can strengthen relationships and team performance.
Turn Goals Into Action
Participants learned how to move from ideas and intentions to specific action plans they can execute with purpose and impact.
From Keynote to Action Plan
The camp combined several AGE3 leadership experiences to create an interactive learning environment where students could hear the message, practice the skills, ask questions, and leave with a plan.
Keynote
Lead With Your Life: The seven essentials of outstanding leadership.
Breakouts
Communication reps, team-challenge drills, leadership exercises, and confidence-building activities.
Coach’s Corner
A live question-and-answer session with Almon Gunter and John-Michael Castillo.
Action Plan
Every student left with a personalized leadership game plan designed to turn lessons into action.
A Leadership Tune-Up for Emerging Leaders
The experience is designed for student officers, emerging leaders, regional and state delegates, and advisors looking for a practical, high-impact leadership development experience.
By combining mindset work with communication practice, team challenges, and action planning, AGE3 helps student leaders translate leadership principles into behaviors they can use immediately.
Special thanks to the FFA advisors, volunteers, and partners who continue to champion student leadership across agriculture and beyond.
Build the Next Generation of Leaders
Bring Almon Gunter, John-Michael Castillo, and the AGE3 leadership experience to your school, FFA program, youth organization, conference, or student leadership event.
Give your students practical tools for strengthening communication, character, confidence, teamwork, and leadership.
Contact AlmonDeveloping leaders who are ready to serve, lead, and make an impact.