Youth Leading Youth: The Power Behind MYNA Camps
Have you ever wondered who plans these amazing week-long MYNA camps? How long does it take to plan them? Well, in this blog I’ll be giving you the answers to these questions and more! I interviewed the people who plan and organize these camps to get some insight into what really goes on behind the scenes.
There’s a team in each region called the REC (Regional Executive Committee). I interviewed members from the South Central (SC) region, which hosts camps in Texas. There are five main positions in every REC: Finance, Program, Chair, Secretary, and Outreach. Here are the members for the 2025–2026 term:
SC Finance – Zacharay Elfar
Age: 17
Lives in: Arizona
Attended: 9 camps
Q: How does your position help the planning process of camp?
A: My position is really hectic before camp. I handle most of the fundraising for the camps. During camp, I help where I can and run the merch bar.
Q: What are the main goals or priorities you keep in mind when organizing a camp?
A: Getting the money in, helping out with programs, and making sure everyone’s involved and having fun. By the end of camp, I usually know everyone.
Q: How far in advance does planning usually begin, and what are the first steps you take?
A: Usually around 8 to 9 weeks before camp. The EC (Executive Committee) handles the main logistics like picking the location and giving us resources.
SC Program – Sulaiman Sheikh
Age: 18
Lives in: Texas
Attended: 5 camps
Q: How does your position help the planning process of camp?
A: My job is to create the program for camp and manage the schedule once camp starts.
Q: How far in advance does planning usually begin, and what are the first steps you take?
A: We usually start a couple of months before camp. I start with logistics and getting to know the team.
Q: What are the main goals or priorities you keep in mind when organizing a camp?
A: Safety, spiritual growth, and fun. I want the campers to feel comfortable and like themselves.
SC Chair – Syeda Khadijah
Age: 17
Lives in: Kansas
Attended: 6 camps
Q: How does your position help the planning process of camp?
A: As REC Chair, I overlook everyone else’s position and make sure everyone is doing their job.
Q: What are the main goals or priorities you keep in mind when organizing a camp?
A: Making sure everyone is included and having fun, while keeping safety a top priority. I like talking to the girl campers and making sure everyone feels comfortable.
Q: How far in advance does planning usually begin, and what are the first steps you take?
A: We usually start planning around 8–10 weeks before camp. The first thing we do is have calls to discuss what we want to do at camp and start organizing tasks.
SC Secretary – Humza Nazir
Age: 17
Lives in: Kansas
Attended: 5 camps
Q: How does your position help the planning process of camp?
A: My main role is taking notes, handling communication, and helping with logistics. At camp, I run the snack bar and make sure things are organized.
Q: What are the main goals or priorities you keep in mind when organizing a camp?
A: Creating a memorable experience for everyone, making sure every camper feels valued, and reaching out to campers who might be shy.
SC Outreach – Yusuf Ahmad
Age: 17
Lives in: Texas
Attended: 13 camps
Q: How does your position help the planning process?
A: My job focuses on connecting with people and helping promote camp to new and returning campers.
Q: What goals do you keep in mind?
A: Safety, spiritual growth, and fun. It’s all about helping campers feel connected and like they belong.
General Questions
Q: What makes MYNA’s approach to youth work unique and effective?
A: It’s run by youth on a massive scale. There are MYNA kids even in Canada. You get to work with people who have been part of MYNA for years, and it really feels like a family.
Q: What makes MYNA’s approach to youth work unique and effective?
A: The fact that MYNA is so youth-led and youth-oriented, just like their slogan says. Having an organization that’s led by youth makes it so special.
Q: What’s one lesson or memory that will stay with you after camp?
A: Stop talking too much and put in the work for yourself so you can become a better person. Don’t just do things for other people do them for you.
Q: What’s one lesson or memory that will stay with you after camp?
A: The Jannah talk with Br. Fiyazz was really powerful. That moment made me want to become an officer.
Q: How do you handle unexpected changes or emergencies during planning or implementation?
A: Things are bound to happen, and you just have to go with the flow. You make the best decision in the moment. It might not always be perfect, but at the end of the day, it’s all Allah’s will.
Q: What made you join MYNA in the first place?
A: My friends encouraged me to go to my first camp, and it made me feel like I belonged and had a bigger purpose in life.
Conclusion
Planning a MYNA camp takes a lot more work than most people think. From fundraising to program creation to making sure every camper feels included, each REC member plays a major role in bringing it all together. Every position has its own challenges and responsibilities, but they all share one common goal, to create a meaningful and memorable experience for everyone.
What makes MYNA truly stand out is how youth-led it is. Teens are the ones planning, organizing, and running everything, which makes the entire experience even more special. The friendships, lessons, and memories made at MYNA camps stick with people long after camp ends, leaving an impact that goes far beyond the week itself.
