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Click Here to download CIT Program Info & Application

Our Counselor In Training program is intended for 14 and 15 year olds entering the 10th grade in the fall who are interested in becoming junior counselors and/or exploring personal growth and leadership experiences.

The CIT program is a one year, progressive experiential education course designed to help young people develop their awareness and basic skills of camp leadership. Though primarily created to produce well-rounded, creative, caring and competent staff members with a broad range of human relation, outdoor education, and camp programming skills - the program is also designed to benefit young people regardless of their desired future in camp counseling. The issues raised and the experiences encountered in the program will relate to a young person's life both in the world at-large, as well as within the microcosm of our camp community. The CIT program's many components are led by our CIT Coordinator, with support from the Camp Director and other key camp staff.

The CITs will meet daily as a group for peer support and guidance from their leader, the CIT Coordinator. All CIT's will receive additional in-service training, evaluation and counseling throughout the summer from both the CIT Coordinator and others in CDC leadership. Each CIT will be placed with a group of children, as well as a General Counselor and possibly a Junior Counselor. The CIT will have the opportunity to lead a group of children, teach activity lessons, observe counselors in action, brainstorm ideas with our staff for special events, and team-build with fellow CIT's.

The learning process will be ongoing and the CIT's will be supported by staff in order to best prepare them for success in their new roles. CITs will be rotated among camper groups and specialty areas to provide the opportunity of working with children of varied ages, and working in a variety of activities.

At the end of the first week, the CIT will sit down individually with the CIT Coordinator and the Camp Director to debrief on their experience, discuss strengths and weaknesses, and prepare for the upcoming week. This evaluative process allows the CIT to ease into their new position and reflect on their week before being asked to take direct leadership within their assigned group. Upon completion of the program, CIT's are eligible to apply for employment as junior counselors the following summer.

Center Day Camp CIT Program Outline
Click Here to download CIT Handbook

Eligibility

Entering 10th grade in the fall
No prior camp experience necessary, though preferred.
Participation to CIT program requires a minimum of 4 weeks. Weeks do not need to be consecutive.

Application Procedures

Complete the regular Camper Application form and CIT application (enclosed)
Tuition is $400 for the entire camp summer (does not included 9th week) or $200 for four weeks ($75.00 deposit due with application)

Program Details

Placement in camper groups and activity specialty areas on a rotating basis.
Leadership training - including personal reflection through group discussions and individual writing assignments, observing program area staff members and general counselors, and leading and presenting to groups
Organizing special camp-wide events with our staff, (i.e. decorating for birthday parties, planning for color games, participation in morning and afternoon assemblies
Attend pre-camp CIT meeting (date and time TBA)
Attend daily peer CIT group
Evaluations with CIT Coordinator and Camp Director
While supervised, lead one camper group for a day, and lead one activity area for a day

CIT- Goals

Develop leadership skills
Develop counseling and teaching skills within the CDC environment
Increase sense of responsibility and service to others
Assist Unit Leaders with camper supervision
Assist Program Area specialty counselors in carrying out lesson plans in an activity
Improve interpersonal skills with peers, campers, and staff
Successfully program and implement a lesson plan for an activity area (to be assessed by CIT Coordinator)
Lead a group of junior campers in their daily activities
Continue to increase leadership, counseling, and teaching skills
Improve camper management skills (evaluated by CIT Coordinator)
Increase preparedness for summer camp counselor position

CIT Responsibilities While at CDC, a CIT will:

Participate and assist campers in all activity areas
Report any behavior problems to the senior counselor in the group
Act as a role model to all campers
Make their best effort to learn new skills or improve upon old skills while in their chosen activity area
Cooperate with all camp personnel to ensure safety for all campers
Complete tasks and/or assignments given to them by the CIT Coordinator, whether individually or in a team setting (i.e. keeping a daily camp journal, participating in team building activities, etc.)
Help campers share in the responsibility of care of the grounds by setting a good example
Be prompt, neat, and willing to do more than the minimum requirements
See that campers keep their belongings in order and out of the Lost and Found
Be sure that campers are properly hydrated and protected from the sun
Be alert of and report to the office any elements of danger such as broken equipment, loose nails, poison ivy, etc.
Carry out any additional tasks set forth by the Unit Leaders, Program Specialty Counselor, or CIT Coordinator