Counselor-in-Training (CIT)
Want to know what it actually takes to lead a group of campers?
CIT is where you find out. It’s two weeks, held during Session 1 each summer, built for teens who want the real skills of an overnight camp counselor, not just the title.
You’ll spend real time on the psychology side of the job: how to make a camper feel seen in the first five minutes (we call it SMILE, and it works), how to read what’s actually driving a kid’s behavior instead of just reacting to it, how to give feedback that changes behavior instead of just calling it out. You’ll get first aid and water safety training built for real camp scenarios, not just a certification card. And you’ll work directly with a mentor instructor who breaks down how they actually teach, not just what they teach, so you start to see the technique underneath a good class.
To apply, you need to be 14–17, a strong swimmer, and someone with the character and drive to actually want this, not just fill a summer. You’ll need two written references from adults who know your work: a teacher, coach, school counselor, or employer.
If LIT is a goal, CIT is how you get ready for it: two weeks to build the basics before you take on four.
See Dates & Rates for session dates.
