Chatcolab Leadership Laboratory
is Celebrating 75 years of
Exploring Leadership and Recreation
Chatcolab Leadership Laboratory, established in 1948, embodies a fusion of the Recreation Laboratory, which originated in the early 1930s at Walden Woods, Michigan, and the time-honored "Chautauqua" model from New York. In the spirit of Chautauqua, Chatcolab annually assembles 'labbers' to engage in a fresh program that nurtures leadership, culture, education, and recreation. People of all ages come together to partake in shared learning experiences within an open, convivial environment.
As an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action, non-profit educational organization, our mission revolves around cultivating leadership through recreation.
The Chatcolab Leadership Laboratory is tailored to provide an invigorating educational experience for those interested in acquiring the skills to lead recreational activities in enjoyable and dynamic ways. This distinctive program caters to both adult and youth leaders. Participants live as a cohesive group, where the exchange of ideas and techniques in the realms of leadership and recreation is paramount.
Chatcolab Leadership Laboratory serves as a respite from the mundane routines of daily life. Group cohesion naturally emerges as individuals grow together through their collaborative efforts in work and play. The core focus is on fostering joy and fellowship. The acquisition of fresh knowledge and skills through the sharing of creative activities leads to mental, emotional, and spiritual growth.
Camp Environment & Accommodations
Chatcolab traditionally occurs in an outdoor camp setting, characterized by hilly and uneven terrain. We make every possible effort to provide suitable accommodations.
The retreat center is a self-contained facility located beneath our dining hall. Just down the hall from the bunk rooms, you'll find separate male and female bathrooms, each equipped with four showers and three toilets. The cabins, with their rustic charm, share two nearby bathhouses, one designated for men and the other for women, although they are not directly attached to the cabins.
For those seeking additional comfort, the Selkirk Lodge offers ten rooms, each furnished with a queen-sized bed and a set of bunk beds. These rooms also include an attached bathroom and shower, available at an extra cost.
The outdoor camp area features various amenities, including a basketball court, a spacious play field, a volleyball court, horseshoe pits, tetherball, a climbing wall, meeting spaces, and two campfire areas.
Chatcolab at Twinlow Camp & Retreat Center
Chatcolab Leadership Laboratory is traditionally located at Twinlow Camp & Retreat Center, on pine-covered grounds on glistening Lower Twin Lake approximately 5 miles north of Rathdrum, Idaho.
Twinlow offers opportunities for individuals and groups of diverse abilities, racial and cultural backgrounds. It is a sanctuary of hospitality, renewal, and learning within natural world. The amazing North Idaho campus is just below Mt. Spokane, on Twin Lakes and surrounded by forests.
Twinlow Camp and Retreat Center is a great space for contemplation and and personal growth.
A Glance at Planning Your Week
GLOSSERY OF TERMS
Over 75 years of gathering together there are many terms that “labbers” use that may not be part of your daily vernacular. Here are a few definitions:
Labber | Any participant who has attended a leader’s laboratory anywhere in the US |
Color Crew | Your small planning group that meets to coordinate special activities. Approximately 10 people of all ages per group. This is your work team for the week. |
Larks | A gathering of early birds from 7-7:30a for additional activities |
Night Owls | A gathering of nocturnal individuals from 8:30-10:30p for additional activities |
Gratitude | Prior to meals Chatcolab offers participants an opportunity to share in gratitude from their traditions – this may be a song, poem, short story, prayer, any addition to the fun caring spirit of lab. |
Announcements | Time set aside before and after meals to make brief and simple camp statements / promotions |
Chair of the Day | The person assigned to manage announcements at meals for time management |
Flag Ceremony | An opportunity to share different presentations of flag raising and lowering each day |
Nine Square | Similar to 4-square / located on the basketball court; this is where “the kids” gather between sessions |
Labyrinth | A rock combination of paths that is a short hike from the main camp area for all to enjoy |
All-Lab | Workshops that are offered to everyone (with some age limitations) over the course of 5 days |
In-Depth | Select one workshop opportunity to attend all week that are built upon each day. |
Mini | A one time 2-hour class that usually stands alone, but is sometimes in 2-parts |
Share Fair | Time set aside to share a craft, activity, poem, story, song; usually an organized activity |
Laboratory | Any place, situation, set of conditions, or the like, conducive to experimentation, investigation, observation, etc. |
PHILOSOPHY
Chatcolab Northwest Leadership Laboratory is designed as a stimulating experience for people who are interested in leadership recreation.
The Lab is a few days of group living where there is an exchange of ideas and techniques in the field of leadership recreation. The Lab is a retreat from the daily routine.
Group unity flows as individuals develop together in work and play.
Major emphasis in placed on joy and camaraderie.
New knowledge and abilities are gained through the sharing of creative activities - leading to mental, emotional and spiritual growth.
THE SPIRIT OF CHATCOLAB
- A sharing camp, with no distinctions of leaders from campers, pupils from teachers
- A fellowship separated from any sponsoring institution and self-perpetuating by a process of democracy
- Goals for the enrichment of all life and not merely to add skills and information to already busy folk
- Attendance from diverse vocations and backgrounds and never seek uniformity for its campers
- Those who gather here assume cooperation in complete sharing as a way of life
CHATCOLAB, INC Recreation Leadership Laboratory is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action, non-profit educational organization begun in 1948 to offer leadership development through recreation. Youth and adults come together to build leadership skills. The lab meets annually at a residential camp and offers learning through general leadership sessions and interactive workshops. Anyone interested in personal, professional or volunteer development is welcome.