CIT – Counselor In Training
2024 Camper-In-Training
Ages 12 – 14
CIT Camp Hours*: 9 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday
CIT Fees: $285/week
CIT Description
Welcome to our 2024 Camp Strawberry CIT program! We are pleased that you are interested in joining us this summer as a Camper-In-Training. This program is a leadership development-based program and CIT’S are not campers. The Strawberry Recreation CIT program will provide training and real-life practice of leading others, being a role model and work experience. They will learn about leadership skills and will put it into practice during camp and in CIT meetings. They will debrief their performances and have self-evaluations to encourage an even high quality of leadership. CIT will discuss various leadership styles in a camp environment while referencing the weekly topic for that session. CIT leave the program with a stronger sense of leadership skills, life skills and clarification on their next steps in education and their career pathway. CIT’s will be subject to the same code of behavior and policies as regular program staff and will participate in all aspects of camp life. Under the supervision of a Camp Director and Assistant Director, they will:
- Make camp a fun place to be, helping to devise and assist in games, swim lessons and arts and crafts.
- Help and provide a safe and supportive atmosphere for campers
- Attend daily CIT meetings
- Help campers resolve conflicts
- CIT’s will work with camp counselors and camp directors
- CIT’s will learn the basics of child development, programming and supervision procedures and policies.
- CIT’s will participate in informal and formal activities with campers throughout the day.
CIT Training Days
We will have two weekend options for required trainings for the 2024 CIT’S. These trainings will be with the CIT camp leaders for the summer. The CIT’S can learn all about the camp culture and be introduced to the current camp counselors. This training will help prepare the CIT’S for success during their time at camp strawberry.
Parent/Guardian Zoom
We will have two options for a required Parent/Guardian zoom to provide time for question and answers about the program as well as additional information.
What to Bring to Camp
CIT’s should bring a lunch, snacks, refillable water bottle and sneakers every day. NO OPEN TOE SHOES! Be aware, we are a peanut safe camp. We ask that lunch does not include any nut, nut products or peanut butter items
CIT Weekly Areas of Focus – Examples
The art of coaching and leading games
During this session, your child will learn how to lead games and activities as a camp counselor. These skills will guide them on a path to success for a future career in camp and recreation. This session is perfect for someone who is interested in a coaching and leading games.
Positive reinforcement
This week we will be focusing on how to navigate camper’s conflicts and find resolutions when the camp day is not going to plan. This is great for a future counselor to navigate camper situations with a positive attitude in finding resolutions.
Camp safety week
CIT’s will get hands on experience during safety week. They will learn certain protocols to follow when a child is injured and how to support them with aide. They will focus on in-game injuries and waterplay safety in camps.
Water Safety/Swim lessons aide
CIT’s will be introduced to pool safety as well provide them with an hands on experience inside the water supporting our swim lesson instructors. They will navigate the challenging aspects of water safety that occur in camps.
The art of teaching arts and crafts
They will be focusing on how to bring art to life while learning how to prep and lead an art activity. The CIT’S will get hands experience while leading an art activity planned by them for the group they are assigned.
Leadership week
During this week we will focus on leadership skills that counselor’s apply everyday at camp. We will develop our leadership skills this week with tips and tricks to be successful in a camp setting.
How to apply for a job and interview process
This week we will focus on how to apply for a job and application process. They will also partake in a group interview with the camp assistant director and camp director.
How to successfully create lesson plans for camp
During this week we are going to show what it takes to create a successful summer camp. They will learn how to create lesson plans and create their own camp schedule filled with arts, games, and activities. This will help CIT’s practice and develop these skills for future positions as a counselor.
Setting Boundaries with Youth
How to create boundaries and a positive experience for both the camper and counselors in camp. This will be a great experience for CIT’s that would like to create a respectful positive atmosphere.