(Troy Rivera/CHSAANow.com)

FORT COLLINS — The annual Student Leadership Camp is underway on Monday, with more than 450 students and advisors flocking to the campus of Colorado State University for a week-long retreat which teaches them how to be leaders within their schools.

This year’s camp is the 52nd in history, and it marks the start of the 2016-17 school year for CHSAA activities.

The camp seeks to give its attendees skills they can use throughout the school year, and touches on topics like diversity, self-evaluation, team-building, technology and how to build leadership programs.

Camille Yameen will be this year’s keynote speaker. She is a motivational speaker who traded in a job working for clients all over Las Vegas and the strip to go work for the Peace Corps in Madagascar.

CHSAA assistant commissioner Harry Waterman is the camp’s coordinator and director, and Rashaan Davis, the advsior at Highlands Ranch High School, is the curriculum director. The full CHSAA administrative staff will visit on Tuesday.

(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

The 2016 student leadership camp is quickly approaching.

This summer’s camp, the 52nd annual gathering, runs July 18-21 at Colorado State University. Registration is already closed, but more than 450 total students and advisors are set to attend. A total of 76 different high schools will be represented, drawing attendees from all over the state and from every classification.

Every year, the student leadership camp gives attendees skills they can use throughout the school year. Included in the topics are diversity, self-evaluation, team-building, technology and building leadership programs.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Camille Yameen, a motivational speaker who traded in a job working for clients all over Las Vegas and the strip to go work for the Peace Corps in Madagascar.

According to her bio, Yameen is “an advocate for laughing hard each and every day, teaching how to embrace our inner weirdness, celebrating the beauty of the magical world we live in and reminding everyone that hey — we’re all in this together.”

CHSAA assistant commissioner Harry Waterman is the student leadership camp’s coordinator and director. Rashaan Davis, StuCo Advisor at Highlands Ranch High School, is the curriculum director.

A snowstorm over the weekend will not affect the “Adviser University” seminar scheduled for Monday.

CHSAA assistant commissioner Harry Waterman said Sunday that the event will go on as scheduled. It begins on Monday at 8:30 a.m., and covers a variety of topics for student leadership advisers.

FORT COLLINS — The 2015 Student Leadership Camp, held annually at Colorado State University, kicked off on Monday.

More photos. (Troy Rivera)

Summer’s annual Student Leadership Camp is underway in Fort Collins on Monday.

The camp, which runs through Thursday, draws more than 500 participants — including students and counselors — to the campus of Colorado State University. It gives attendees leadership skills they can use throughout the school year.

This summer’s camp marks the 51st anniversary.

Among topics covered during the camp are meetings on diversity, self-evaluation, team-building, technology and building leadership programs.

CHSAA assistant commissioner Harry Waterman is the camp’s coordinator and director. Rashaan Davis, StuCo Advisor at Highlands Ranch High School, is the curriculum director.

Adviser University, a one-day training conference for student leadership advisers, is now accepting registrations.

The conference, set for April 20, is $75 if registered before March 13. After March 13, registration is $85.

Use this form to register.

GOLDEN — Photos from the 2014 Fall Student Leadership Conference, held at Golden High School.

This year’s attendees to CHSAA’s Student Leadership Camp. (Troy Rivera) More photos »

FORT COLLINS — This week was a great reminder that this Association is about more than just athletics.

Monday brought the return of the annual CHSAA Student Leadership Camp to CSU. It was something I was exposed to for the first time last summer, and it was slightly overwhelming then — hundreds of eager, high-energy students just waiting to be involved. In anything.

These kids are, quite literally, the best-of-the-best when it comes to leadership in Colorado’s high schools.

(Troy Rivera) More photos »

Last summer, the thought crossed my mind that this Leadership Camp was the best thing CHSAA does. This year’s trip only reinforced that notion.

Think about CHSAA’s stated mission — in large part, to “provide an environment that enhances personal development through sporting behavior, character education, teamwork, leadership, and citizenship.”

The annual camp — this summer actually marked the 50th anniversary — ticks all those boxes. Students attend keynote speeches, they have breakout sessions on a variety of topics, they absorb seemingly everything they can about leadership in four jam-packed days. And then they take it all back to their schools and disseminate it to their respective student bodies.

The camp is the epitome of the Association’s overriding goal: to create better students and citizens. It is something special, and offers a unique view at our state’s future.

A major part of this is the kids who attend. Like I said, they are the type who want to learn, who want to be involved. They make great pupils for Rashaan Davis, Harry Waterman, Troy Rivera and the dozens of other staff members who put the camp together.

When the four days are up, and the camp concludes, the staff has to drag the students out of their dorms. Because with so many like-minded individuals in one place, the camp forms a kind of lasting bond among its attendees.

Just ask them:

Gonna be a great week! #stucochsaa14 #inspire

— Caden Denton (@cadenswims) July 15, 2014

I met the creator of mean girls!!! #stucochsaa14

— Brayan l-/ (@Bray_yam) July 15, 2014

@CHSAA I'm going to miss every single one of my new friends of Group P! This has been my best time ever

— annad2000 (@ADeRossette) July 16, 2014

I've made better friendships in 4 days than some that have taken me 4 years… #thetruth @CHSAA

— Kevin Murray (@kevinm622) July 17, 2014

The past 4 days have been life changing! Thank you @CHSAA! Love everyone & can't wait to come back next year and be a Level 3 #stucochsaa14

— ❁Lauren Juracka❁ (@lauren_juracka) July 17, 2014

Saying goodbye I love you all ❤️ #stucochsaa14 @CHSAA

— Emma Yelnats (@emyelnats) July 17, 2014

Had one of the best weeks of my life at STUCO State Camp. #stucochsaa14 #BSquad pic.twitter.com/aCkHWF2xsi

— #TrademarkTy™ (@Ty_Murphy_5) July 17, 2014

State camp was an unforgettable experience. It was so inspiring and I met amazing people. Definitely worth the lack of sleep. #stucochsaa14

— Brissa (@brissa_pizza) July 17, 2014

From complete strangers to loving family❤️ Thanks to everyone for the best week ever. #stucochsaa14 pic.twitter.com/P4lmZpHCHi

— ✧Aabriti✧ (@DoubleABriti) July 17, 2014

Thanks to @CHSAA from the Blazers! Had a great time at camp! Excited to inspire our council & school! #stucochsaa14 pic.twitter.com/Dn4tuJCDWA

— OHS Student Council (@OHSBlazer_StuCo) July 17, 2014

What an amazing week with amazing people! #stucochsaa14 pic.twitter.com/mXWZffFyVv

— Jacklyn O'Neill (@jjoneill_0503) July 18, 2014

Honestly a life changing experience. You walk in with so little and walk out the best you have ever felt before. Thank you @CHSAA #leaders

— Kevin Murray (@kevinm622) July 18, 2014

500 people, all wanting to make a change ❤️ truly the most inspiring thing ever! ❤️❤️ @CHSAA #stucochsaa14 pic.twitter.com/Q06rk3TgRO

— Dezyr (@dezyrdream2015) July 18, 2014

What a week… State camp is the best week of summer BY FAR every year. Can't wait to go back next year. You're all amazing! #stucochsaa14

— Emma (@EmmaJR15) July 18, 2014

FORT COLLINS — The 50th annual Student Leadership Camp came to a close on Thursday.

Below are photos from Wednesday and Thursday at the four-day camp, which was held on the campus of Colorado State University this week.

FORT COLLINS — The Student Leadership Camp continued with its second at at Colorado State University on Tuesday.