The YMCA

For Youth Development ^™
For Healthy Living
For Social Responsibility

Counselor in Training (Camps)

The camp environment provides a unique opportunity for youth to build leadership skills, particularly in assisting counselors with younger campers. The goals of CIT and LIT camp programs are to teach the general skills of leadership that can be used at school, home and community (not just at camp).

For younger camp leaders (ages 13-15), the curriculum includes working with younger kids at camp, but often includes community components like volunteering at senior centers or YMCAs.

Counselors-in-Training (CITs) are the oldest campers who typically want to apply for a job at camp the next summer, maybe as a Jr. Counselor or some other supporting role. They need to learn more specific skills for working with kids and co-workers, and more experience planning and leading activities.

Both programs give kids age-appropriate challenges that build their skills, confidence and capacity for working with people of all ages.