Age 16
The CEW Counselor In Training (CIT) program helps teens gain valuable hands-on leadership skills needed to be a successful staff member and leader. CITs have the opportunity to work independently and as part of a team developing trust, creative problem solving, critical thinking and effective communication skills. This a chance to begin making the transition from being a camper at camp to being a counselor / staff member with many responsibilities.
To qualify as a CIT you must:
To qualify as a CIT you must:
- Have completed the LIT Program
- Have a genuine desire to work with children in an outdoor camp environment
- Demonstrate teamwork and a willingness to work with others
- Fill out the Application Form
- Be 16 years old
Program Summary.
Week One - The Tripping Challenge
A five-day, three-night off-site trip lead by our staff
• You will be instructed on all the relevant skills that you will use on the trip.
• CITs will push themselves physically and mentally while taking in beautiful views, bonding with other participants and discovering their own capabilities.
• Team building and Leadership activities
• A group debrief of the experience after returning to camp.
Week Two - CIT Training
The focus of this week is training, volunteering and activity planning.
• Group-building and activities
• Sessions of training including sections of the staff handbook, essentials of running activities and policies and procedures
• Set up and start the volunteering project at camp
• Getting the Bronze Cross Certification
Week Three - Putting it into practice
The focus of this week is the volunteer project, and planning / leading activities and events at camp.
• Putting into practice the skills learned
• Community service project.
• Organizing and running cabin activities, evening activities and unit activities.
• Planning and hosting an all‐camp event.
• Working as a group in the community.
Weeks Four – In‐Cabin
CITs will put their cumulative experience together to move into a cabin with campers and function as a counselor.
• Experience what it is like to be a counselor through the in‐cabin experience.
• Both observe and participate in common counselor responsibilities.
A five-day, three-night off-site trip lead by our staff
• You will be instructed on all the relevant skills that you will use on the trip.
• CITs will push themselves physically and mentally while taking in beautiful views, bonding with other participants and discovering their own capabilities.
• Team building and Leadership activities
• A group debrief of the experience after returning to camp.
Week Two - CIT Training
The focus of this week is training, volunteering and activity planning.
• Group-building and activities
• Sessions of training including sections of the staff handbook, essentials of running activities and policies and procedures
• Set up and start the volunteering project at camp
• Getting the Bronze Cross Certification
Week Three - Putting it into practice
The focus of this week is the volunteer project, and planning / leading activities and events at camp.
• Putting into practice the skills learned
• Community service project.
• Organizing and running cabin activities, evening activities and unit activities.
• Planning and hosting an all‐camp event.
• Working as a group in the community.
Weeks Four – In‐Cabin
CITs will put their cumulative experience together to move into a cabin with campers and function as a counselor.
• Experience what it is like to be a counselor through the in‐cabin experience.
• Both observe and participate in common counselor responsibilities.