Skip To Main Content

The Next Step in Leadership: Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program New for summer 2026

Ready to trade your days as a camper for a leadership role? Our new Tiered Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program is designed for mature rising 8th to 11th graders ready to transition from being a camper to an influential leader at camp. This is a structured leadership program that channels a person’s potential into certified, tangible skills and real-world work experience.

The CIT program is a comprehensive, mentored, and challenging environment where participants will learn what it truly takes to be a valuable part of a team and an effective role model. Participants will leave the summer program with a set of skills valuable for future career opportunities.

Our program features two tiers of progressive, scaffolded learning, ensuring each participant builds upon skills intentionally year after year.

 

CIT Tier 1: 

The Foundation of Leadership (Rising 8th & 9th Graders 2026-2027 school year)

The Goal: To transition from being a passive consumer of camp to an active, understanding participant in its operation.

  • Skill Focus: Group Management Basics, Effective Communication, Conflict Prevention, and the "Camper First" mindset.
  • Experience: Participants will learn by shadowing and assisting counselors. Participants will be integrated into specific camp groups to learn routines and support staff, gaining a practical understanding of group dynamics and responsibility without the full burden of leadership.
  • The Outcome: A strong grounding in child development principles and the essential maturity required to mentor younger children.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

 

CIT Tier 2: 

Applied Mentorship & Design (Rising 10th & 11th Graders 2026-2027 school year)

The Goal: To move from assisting to actively leading and managing programs.

  • Skill Focus: Advanced Group Dynamics, Crisis Response Protocols, Behavioral Intervention, Program Planning, and Peer-to-Peer Mentoring.
  • Experience: Participants will be given greater autonomy and responsibility, including planning and executing specialized activities, serving as designated mentors for Tier 1 participants, and assisting senior staff with scheduling and inventory. 
  • The Outcome: Proven leadership competency, experience in program design, advanced problem-solving abilities, and a summer of work experience ready to be highlighted on college and job applications.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

How To Apply

Parents submit a camper registration and select the desired CIT Tier and session(s).  This secures a “pending acceptance” and allows the camp to send a unique application for CIT program to the teen. Parent pays the non-refundable deposit to hold the spot pending final acceptance. The deposit is fully refunded if the teen is not accepted. If accepted, it converts to the first payment toward the program fee. Parent completes standard camper forms (waivers, health history, emergency contacts, etc.)  

Teen will receive a link to an online application. They will complete the application, provide contact information for character references. If the teen is applying for Tier 2 program, they will be contacted for an interview. After the interview the applicant will be contacted regarding acceptance into the program  

Rates and Dates

Session 

Session Dates

Program Fees
Session 1 - Tier 1 - 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. June 15-26 $2,000
Session 1 - Tier 2 - 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. June 15-26 $1,000
Session 2 - Tier 1 - 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. July 6 - 17

$2000
Session 2 - Tier 2 - 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. July 6 - 17 $1,000
Session 3 - Tier 1 - 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. July 20 - 31 $2,000
Session 3 - Tier 2 - 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. July 20 - 31

$1000