Counselor In Training Program.
Scheduling kids’ summers during middle school and early high school can be challenging. Eager for more independence but not quite ready for all the responsibilities of later teendom, kids are in a kind of limbo between elementary-aged camps and traditional summer jobs. Fortunately, a perfect middle ground exists in counselor-in-training (CIT) programs.
CIT’s (counselors-in-training) are between rising 7th to rising 9th graders—too old to be campers and too young to be staffers, but just right for taking on more responsibility and contributing in meaningful ways.
Our Counselor-in-Training program can boost kids’ confidence and teach a host of valuable skills.
Future Leaders.
Check out our Teen Leadership Program offered through entering 10th grade to college-bound.
CIT’s are considered campers still, so you would register them just as you would a normal camper by going to the day camp registration page. Frequently, our CIT’s, due to their age, are inclined to engage in activities alongside campers, requiring supervision and care just like the campers themselves.
CIT program tuition is discounted.
CIT applicants are required to submit a referral letter, resume, along with their report card. Please note, CIT’S are expected to demonstrate good conduct in school. An interview will be conducted to assess their suitability for the program.
The CIT resume requirement is used to provide a real life experience of what to expect for when they apply for their first job.
What do kids do in the CIT program?
CIT’s spend the summer learning kid-management, operational and leadership skills and putting them into practice. Here are a few aspects most programs cover.
Working with kids:
CIT’s both observe staff members and work alongside them, learning and practicing how to teach campers new skills, lead them in games or help them create projects.
They also have opportunities to support campers during more unstructured parts of the day like breaks or lunch, helping to enrich their camp experience without directly supervising them.
Camp operations:
Counselors-in-training often get a behind-the-scenes peek at what it takes to run different aspects of camp, pitching in to help with lunch service, organization and more. CIT’s can lend a hand in planning and organizing large-scale events like camp games, closing ceremonies or talent shows.
Leadership skills:
This category covers a breadth of important skills, including how to give and receive feedback, set and achieve goals, resolve conflict, speak to a large group, lead activities and plan and debrief multi-part events.