On Tuesday, July 16, we welcomed someone truly special back to Camp Coleman—Jeff Leiken, returning for his 20th year working with our teens. Jeff is the founder of Evolution Mentoring and a world-renowned expert in guiding teens and young adults through the tangled web of choices, relationships, and personal growth. He didn’t just speak. He connected. And our campers didn’t just listen. They leaned in.
Jeff’s sessions with Machon, Chalutzim, and Kesher were nothing short of electric—equal parts therapy session, pep talk, and inner compass check.
For Machon, Jeff focused on what it means to start making your own decisions: picking colleges, handling tricky roommate dynamics, navigating friendships and relationships, and understanding boundaries. His message? You’re going to make mistakes—and that’s not just okay, it’s necessary. Because learning who you are often starts with figuring out what you’re not.
In Chalutzim, Jeff flipped the lens to friendships. What makes someone a good friend? How do you choose people who lift you up instead of drag you down? Campers explored how to create healthy relationships and how to be the kind of friend they’d want in return. It was open, honest, and eye-opening.
With Kesher, he zoomed in on comfort zones. You know—the little bubble we build around what feels safe and familiar. Jeff challenged our campers to get a little uncomfortable. To say yes when it’s easier to say no. To raise their hands, speak their minds, and step into the kind of courage that builds confidence. Not overnight—but one step, one moment, one choice at a time.
Throughout the day, one thing became clear: Jeff doesn’t sugarcoat. He meets teens where they are and helps them see that the scary, messy, awkward parts of growing up are actually the parts that grow you.
And campers noticed. After his sessions, several came up asking how to stay in touch—how to keep learning from him even after camp ends. Because when someone makes you feel seen, you don’t want to lose that just because you leave the bubble of camp.
If your camper came home talking about Jeff—or if they’re still wrestling with the ideas he shared—he’s easy to reach:
- Website: evolutionmentoring.com
- Email: leiken.consulting@gmail.com
- Phone: (415) 992-9804
- Free consults available for teens, parents, and professionals
You can also learn more about his programs—including one-on-one mentoring and HeroPath retreats—at evolutionmentoring.com/about.
Jeff reminded us that growing up doesn’t come with a manual. But if we’re lucky, we meet people along the way who hand us a compass. We’re grateful our campers had that moment with him.
And now they carry it forward.