Teen Leadership and Training – At Camp!
Ready for the next step? Camp Granite Lake offers a Counselor-In-Training Program for teens finishing 10th and 11th grade. Gain skills, leadership, and knowledge in areas such as: living in-cabin with campers, program planning, homesickness, leading activities, and techniques for working with children. Through shadowing, mentorship, and direct experiences, CITs will be able to assist counselors in the cabin and in some of their favorite activities at camp.
What Do They Do?
CITs live in a cabin with younger campers and at least two cabin counselors.
During the first week of camp, CITs participate in activities with older campers, observing how experienced staff members teach activities, manage camper behavior, and make camp fun! These same experiened staff give CIT’s the basics of how to be a camp counselor, and check in and debrief with CIT’s each day.
In Week 2, CITs work with counselors to build lesson plans for the activities they will be teaching, and work together to organize and prepare for the CIT Evening Program.
Then, it’s time to put it all together! For the final week CITs apply their knowledge and skills by taking on a larger role in the cabin and around camp. With help from counselors, they teach activities and, working with their peers, orgranize and lead an all-camp Evening Program.
CITs additionally gain experience by helping with CGL’s facility, kitchen, and hospitality areas. They meet regularly with a director to talk about leadership in camp and beyond, as well as receive support for situations and challenges that come up during their session.
CIT Enrollment Process:
1. August 19th at 12:00PM MT: Parents may start to apply through the link on this webpage. Spots are not guaranteed until the CIT completes this entire application process and is accepted.
2. October 1st: For families who have completed Step 1, a link to the CIT Questionnaire is emailed to the CIT candidates to complete. These questionnaires should be submitted by November 12th to hold their spot. We will also ask for a letter of reference to be submitted.
3. November and December: Assistant Director Abbie will contact CIT candidates to schedule a brief video interview to talk about our expectations and their goals for this program.
4. By December 20th: Acceptance offers and final session placements will be made by December 20th.
How Much Does it Cost?
The CIT Program is $3,675 for the three-week session (camper tuition is $4,475), with any applicable discounts (returning family, sibling discount, early bird before September 9th). There are no additional fees on top of this, and CITs, just like campers, get their own Camp Granite Lake water bottle and t-shirt!.
Session Availability:
CIT space is limited due to the cabin arrangements and for the benefit of participants in the program. We are asking for flexibility on session placement, meaning that CIT applicants should be able to attend either session. Of course, we will take your preference into account!
Siblings should be enrolled in the session of their choice. We cannot guarantee that CITs and siblings will be in the same session, and we will do our best. Super Duper Early Bird and other discounts still apply to CITs and their families!
Once accepted, your initial installment of $500 is non-refundable.