Learning to Lead by Serving: My Aphelion Leadership Camp Experience

Written by Han Zhifei (1A3, 2026)

On 2 June, the Aphelion Council organised its annual “Aphelion Leadership Camp”, which aims to identify and nurture younger students with leadership potential. When I first heard about the camp, I jumped at the opportunity to apply. I hoped that the experience would help me learn more about leadership and, perhaps one day, give me the opportunity to serve and lead others more effectively.

The selection process began with a series of reflection questions that allowed us to share more about ourselves. I was fortunate to be selected by my teachers to participate in the camp.

When the day finally arrived, I had butterflies in my stomach.

What would the camp be like? What if I did not perform well?

A thousand worries seemed to be running through my mind. Fortunately, they soon faded when our friendly seniors welcomed us. They introduced the programme for the day and reassured us, helping everyone feel more comfortable before the activities began.

Learning Through Challenges

The camp certainly lived up to its name — it was challenging! Throughout the day, we had to complete different tasks and overcome obstacles in order to solve a larger puzzle. Along the way, we experienced setbacks, but these challenges helped me realise something important: success was never simply about winning. It was about facing difficulties together as a team.

During one of the games, for example, we had to strategise carefully and execute our plan effectively in order to score as many points as possible. As we discussed our approach, we began to recognise one another’s strengths. I was more comfortable coming up with possible strategies, while some of my teammates were particularly good at putting our plans into action. By combining our strengths, we managed to complete the challenge successfully. More importantly, I realised how essential teamwork is. Working closely together also helped us get to know one another better, and I made several new friends along the way.

Finding Our Voices

Another memorable part of the camp was learning the Aphelion cheers.

As future councillors, we needed to know how to lead and participate confidently in cheers. Our seniors patiently guided us through every action and taught us how to project our voices properly. Sometimes, they would spend several minutes helping us perfect a single action or achieve the right level of enthusiasm.

During the cross-cheers, some of the seniors even joined in themselves! Their energy made the experience especially memorable and showed us how much enthusiasm and school spirit could bring a group together.

Discovering Servant Leadership

Later in the day, we participated in several modules that introduced us to different aspects of the Aphelion Council. Although these activities required concentration and effort, they also gave us a clearer understanding of what being a councillor involves.

We ended the camp with a sharing by our seniors. They spoke about their own journeys in the Council — from their early experiences as younger members to becoming more confident and mature leaders.

One idea from their sharing stood out to me most: Servant Leadership. Our seniors explained that leadership in the Aphelion Council is not simply about telling others what to do. Instead, a good leader should be willing to put others before themselves. To lead others well, we must first be prepared to serve them.

This changed the way I thought about leadership.

Before the camp, I had sometimes imagined leadership as being “the boss” — someone who gives instructions and expects others to follow them. The idea of servant leadership helped me realise that genuine leadership is very different. A leader needs to listen to others, understand their needs and be willing to support them. Respect is not gained simply because someone holds a leadership position. It is earned through the way a leader treats and serves others.

A New Understanding of Leadership

The Aphelion Leadership Camp was both enjoyable and eye-opening. I entered the camp hoping to learn how to become a better leader, but I left with a deeper understanding of what leadership actually means.

Through the challenges, I learnt the value of teamwork. Through the cheers, I experienced the importance of enthusiasm and unity. Most importantly, through the seniors’ sharing, I discovered that leadership begins with service.

The camp reminded me that being a leader is not about standing above others. It is about standing alongside them, listening to them and helping the whole team move forward together. That is a lesson I hope to carry with me as I continue my own leadership journey.