Counsellor-in-Training (CIT) Program

The CIT Program is designed for our most mature campers with the goal of teaching and practicing the skills of becoming an effective camp counsellor. This Program will focus on participants development as role models and facilitators for younger children. Participants develop a wide range of leadership skills through a series of workshops that focus on working with children, dealing with challenging behaviour, communication, teamwork, professionalism and program planning. Throughout the 7-week program CITs are placed in a cabin group where they are given the opportunity to practice their skills with regular feedback from the Leadership Program Staff and their senior counsellor. CITs are eligible to receive their volunteer hours for high school through this program.

THE PROGRAM INCLUDES:

• placement in a cabin group for 3 weeks (their role within that group is to observe counsellors and take an active role in a camp activities such as specialties, counsellor led games, and working with the campers)

• forming a larger group with the LITs in designing an arts based community project with the group, which will be accomplished within the program

• hands-on workshops in leadership skill building including:
  ∗non-violent communication
  ∗conflict resolution
  ∗group discussion facilitation
  ∗team building
  ∗professionalism
  ∗problem solving
  ∗working with children
  ∗event planning

• a 3 to 4-day overnight trip to a wilderness area

• opportunities to take a leadership role in camp activities such as flagpole, game facilitation, theme days, special events etc.

ELIGIBILITY

Entrance into the CIT Program is by application. As space is limited selected candidates will be interviewed to determine acceptance. The camp selects youth who demonstrate responsibility, positive role modeling and take an active interest in their own development.

Youth who are at least 15 years of age (by December 31, 2009) are eligible to participate in the camp’s Counsellor-In-Training (CIT) Program.