Karon Cramer Chaperoned the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp in Colorado
When Sunflower accountant Karon Cramer agreed to serve as a chaperone for the 48th Annual Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp (CYLC), she expected a full schedule. But nothing quite prepared her for a whirlwind week of packed schedules, activities, and 6:30 a.m. wake-up calls complete with pots, pans, and a megaphone. Held July 11–17 near Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the camp brought together 77 student leaders from four states for a week of cooperative education, hands-on leadership, personal growth, and plenty of laughter.
Karon and her husband, Craig Cramer, manager of information technology at Western Cooperative Electric, were invited to serve as chaperones on behalf of Western, as Kansas electric cooperatives take turns providing chaperones for the camp. Together, their cooperative connection made them the perfect pair to help guide the next generation of leaders.
Leadership, Learning, and Laughs
Throughout the week, campers formed and operated a mock candy cooperative, complete with elected board members, a general manager, committees, and daily membership meetings. Educational sessions covered everything from electrical safety and the cooperative business model to leadership skills and conflict resolution. Campers also enjoyed a wide variety of activities, including whitewater rafting, a live raptor demonstration, and a tour of Craig Power Generation Station.
The schedule was non-stop. “There was little to no downtime. We were up early and busy late into the evening with presentations, group activities, volleyball tournaments, and talent shows,” she said. “From safety to cooperative careers to how power is generated, this camp touched on it all.”
One especially memorable moment came during the power plant challenge where each small group used craft supplies to build a model electric system. Karon’s group dubbed their creation “Karon’s Co-op” and proudly took first place over Craig’s group, “Craigville,” which came in second. “I wasn’t allowed to help, so the win was all theirs. But I may have bragged just a little,” she laughed.
A Personal Touch
On the first night of camp, Karon was asked to share her career story during the cooperative careers presentation. Though nervous, she spoke candidly about her journey to Sunflower and her role in accounting.
“I told them I don’t speak in front of people often, and I had to pause a few times,” she said. “But I think being real helped me connect with the students. From that moment on, I wasn’t nervous around them, and they weren’t shy around me either.”
She also saw incredible growth in the campers throughout the week. “They were respectful, supportive, and so thankful to their sponsoring cooperatives. The talent show was a turning point. It brought them all together, and watching them grow into better versions of themselves in just a few days was truly rewarding.”
Living the Cooperative Spirit
Karon used Sunflower’s Community Service Leave (CSL) to attend camp, a benefit that allows non-bargaining employees to take up to 24 paid hours per year to volunteer with community organizations during work hours.
Her week in Colorado was a perfect example of how CSL supports employee involvement in meaningful causes. “CYLC gives campers a deeper understanding of how cooperatives work and more importantly, a powerful introduction to the qualities and principles cooperatives embody: teamwork, governance, service, and growth,” she said.
A Lasting Impact
“We were so grateful to have Karon join us as a chaperone at this year’s Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp,” said Shana Read, director of education and training at Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. and the Kansas camp director. “Her positive energy, patience, and genuine interest in the students made her an instant favorite among the campers. She was a wonderful ambassador for Sunflower, and we’re thankful she was able to represent both Western and Sunflower.”
Karon’s hope? To return to CYLC someday. “This camp gives these kids confidence, knowledge, and friendships that will last a lifetime. I was honored to be a part of it and I’m proud I represented both my cooperative family and my actual family.”
