Leader-in-Training (LIT)
Goals
Our leadership programs are built on the ancient consensus that the heart of leadership is self-mastery. Self-mastery is built over time as we accumulate technical skills, emotional skills, confidence from successes, character/wisdom from life experience. At Deer Crossing we speed up the development of self-mastery through a focused program with intense challenges and targeted training in leadership psychology. Our Leader-in-Training (LIT) Program is designed to develop young people in mind, body, and spirit to equip them to lead themselves and others. The program is designed to push the envelope of what participants think they can handle, to reveal their true strengths.
To strengthen mind, body, and spirit, the physical challenges are straight-forward. They include long open water swims and lifeguard training, off-trail backpacking, and fasting during survival training. The mental challenges include learning technical skills in our regular activities, plus first aid and wilderness survival, but also learning advanced teaching techniques and leadership psychology. The spirit / emotion challenges center around maintaining a positive attitude in the face of fear, fatigue, frustration, and physical discomfort.
By design, this is an intense, strenuous four-week program that provides a unique framework for building leadership skills. It is not something your parent signs you up for. Successful LIT graduates leave camp with:
- People skills that will positively affect your relationships with family, friends, teachers, employers, and colleagues
- The awareness and skills to shape your personality into who you want to be
- Increased self-confidence in your abilities and decisions
- Skill certifications—American Red Cross lifeguard, first aid, and CPR—that allow you to work in outdoor occupations
- Deer Crossing Camp LIT certificate that attests to your completion of the program
“Through the process of becoming a LIT, my whole perspective and view of the world has changed. The late-night psychology classes have given me many attitude ‘positactics.’ I have learned to push my limits and expand my envelope.”
– Julie M, San Jose, California, (7 years as camper, LIT, WGIT; quoted before 4 years as Instructor and then Asst. Director)
Program
LITs participate in camp life yet spend most of their waking hours in LIT-specific training. Specifics vary each summer as we tailor the program to each group’s strengths. Topics often include:
- Using self-esteem as a motivational tool
- Making positive changes in your personality and habits
- Giving short presentations, perhaps with video analysis
- Developing your skills in an area of choice, such as rock climbing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, etc.
- Wilderness guide training and orienteering skills
- Creative problem-solving methods
- Goal-setting techniques
- Wilderness survival training
- Analysis of learning styles
- Group facilitation techniques
- Wilderness First Aid scenario training
“When I was a LIT, my limits were being constantly pushed. It taught me how to dig deep and overcome any challenge that came my way. I use what I learned every day of my life. I am so grateful to have been a part of the Deer Crossing Camp LIT program.”
– Nick B, Lake Oswego, Oregon (8 years as camper, LIT, WGIT, quoted before 3 years as instructor)“The LIT program impacted my life for the better. I left a stronger person who now understand just how far I can push myself and just how much I can accomplish. It provided me with the tools to accomplish the many goals I would like to achieve in my lifetime, as well as the tools to help change the world for the better.”
– Hannah H, San Francisco, California (9 years as camper, LIT; quoted before 5 years as instructor and then Asst. Director)
Application Process
Deer Crossing’s LIT program runs with four to eight participants each summer. All LIT candidates must have the desire to be a leader; this program is not something your parents sign you up for. Decision criteria to accept a camper into the LIT program include:
- Age: 15–17 years old. Older campers are given a preference so they have the opportunity to participate before aging out.
- Physical health: Regular exercise schedule (at least three times a week), such as after-school individual or team sports
- Swim ability: Can swim at least 500 meters crawl (freestyle) non-stop
- Grades: B average or better
- Extracurricular activities: Regular involvement in programs such as drama, debate, scouting, electronics club, class officer
- Community service work
- Emotional state: Stable, with the ability to keep a positive attitude and a love of challenge
- Prior DCWC experience, including feedback from staff. Previous enrollment in DCWC is not required, but is helpful as you will have already completed first-time camper requirements.
To be accepted into the LIT program, campers must enroll in the LIT program and pay the deposit, complete the special LIT application, have a Zoom interview with the Camp Director, and submit two written references from adults who know you well (e.g., coach, teacher, employer). During the interview, you may be asked to do some preparation work prior to arriving at camp, such as community service, physical conditioning (especially in the area of swimming), raising a grade point average, or working on other personal areas that the director feels will contribute to your success as a LIT.
Applications to the LIT program are considered as they come in starting in September until the program fills (often by late October). Interviews are usually scheduled in late October-early November. See Dates & Rates for current availability.
Taking the LIT course does not guarantee future employment at Deer Crossing or any other camp, but it’s a definite plus on your application. While at Deer Crossing, LITs do not have responsibility for campers, although they may assist in teaching some classes.
See Dates & Rates for session dates.
