“Do Not Shy from Discomfort,” and the Mission of the Keala Leadership Camp

The Keala Foundation?

The Keala Foundation’s mission is to build communities that support the youth of Hawaii. Since 2015 they’ve had over 250 kids participate every week and last year they opened their second location.

They are also the organizers behind the Ultimate Hawaiian Trail Run, the event that CrossFitters like the Dancers, Kelsey Kiel and Noah Ohlsen ran last September.

How do they do it?

And they do this through fitness. The Keala Foundation provides free programs at CrossFit Kekaha and CrossFit Poipu. Their website reads, “All programs are entirely free for kids. Every child deserves to grow up in a healthy environment, to belong, and to know they are loved.”

In 2018, they launched a new program: Keala Leadership Camp. Led by former Marine and CrossFitter Brian Chontosh, the group of high schoolers spent a weekend learning how to strengthen their emotional intelligence, practice self-awareness and accountability, and set up routines for success.

“It’s not about how hard it is or what it is that’s hard. It’s about the choices you’re making when you’re presented with hard things,” Chontosh told the high schoolers.

And lots of team WODs.

There were partner WODs and team building exercises. The kids also got to learn more about nutrition and help prepare their own meals with Nick Massie of Paleo Meals.

At the end of the weekend, the kids got to share their take away. “I learned I have to be more responsible for myself and stay accountable. I can’t just depend on everyone to do everything for me all the time,” said one participant.

That’s a win in our book.