When your children are too old for camp but too young to be a counselors, it can seem like a rough middle-ground. Luckily, there are lots of options for your child to be a counselor in training (CIT), and there are tons of benefits.
- The CITprogram really provides a sneak preview into the work world. CITs must gothrough a formal application process and put together a resume. It gives kids the experienceof going through the job process.
- Gettingto become a leader can be a very rewarding and empowering experience for ateenager. At the end of the summer CITs are welcome to use their camp as areference for other jobs.
- It’s anice way for kids to be engaged in a program when feel that they are “too old”for camp, but they are too young to be left unsupervised.
- Often CITs attendcamp with their younger sibling, so it’s also a way for kids of different agesto get to be together during the summer, yet have an age appropriateexperience.
- Itreally brings out a whole new side to them – a professional side, that youoften didn’t realize was there. There is often a gap between when someone isperceived as a kid and when they are perceived as a leader. This program reallyhelps to dissolve that gap.
- The likelihood of afuture counselor position, as most established summer camps hire most of theirnew staff directly from their leadership programs.
- Sending a teen to aleadership program will help him or her to build social skills in a structuredenvironment.
- It is a productive way tospend the summer, and prevents teens from spending too much time on thecomputer or game system.
- Experience working with amazing counselors and rolemodels for young people in the world.
- Community service hours can apply towards high school graduation requirements.
- A summer of memories that will last a lifetime.
Here is a list of places that offer CIT programs!
Sources: Suite101 and various camp sites
