CITs: YOUR FUTURE WORLD LEADERS
“Our son participated in the CIT program this summer. We immediately noticed the difference in the level of responsibility and willingness to cooperate at home. He also has new insights in interpersonal relationships that I believe will help him later in life.” - Parent of a 2018 CIT
WHAT IS A CIT PROGRAM?
The Counselor-in-Training program is a 3-week leadership training experience designed for 16-and-17-year-old teens who are ready to take the next step at Camp and beyond. This experience is built on hands-on skill building and six core competencies: Youth Development and Community Building, Leadership Styles, Group Facilitation, Risk Management and Decision Making, Effective Communication, and Professional Development. CITs develop the tools they need to lead with confidence, both at Camp and in the workforce. This is more than a pathway to becoming a counselor; it is a foundation for becoming a strong, thoughtful leader in every space your CIT walks into.
At YMCA Camp Chingachgook, we believe in the magic of Camp and in the power of community. Our CIT program is rooted in the Y's core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, and is built on the belief that lasting personal growth happens when we challenge ourselves alongside others. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment where every CIT, regardless of background or experience, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. We know that when we invest in young leaders, we invest in stronger communities, and that we are all better together.
6 CORE COMPETENCIES
1
Youth Development and Community Building
As a CIT, one of the most powerful things you'll experience this summer is the community you build with your peers. Through intentional programming and shared responsibility, you'll develop a deeper sense of who you are and how you show up for the people around you. You'll also spend time learning the foundations of youth development itself, gaining real insight into how and why young people grow, and what it means to be a positive influence in that process.
2
Leadership Styles
As a CIT, you'll spend time exploring what kind of leader you naturally are and when to lean into different approaches. Learning to read a group, adapt your style, and lead with confidence and humility are skills that will serve you well beyond the bounds of Camp.
3
Group Facilitation
As a CIT, you'll practice leading groups in real time, whether that's running an activity, facilitating a discussion, or keeping a cabin of campers engaged and on track. These experiences will build the kind of presence and poise that can't be taught in a classroom.
4
Risk Management and Decision Making
As a CIT, you'll learn how to think before you act. You'll practice assessing situations, weighing your options, and making sound decisions under pressure, one of the most valuable skills you can build in a supervised, supportive environment.
5
Effective Communication
As a CIT, you'll work on communicating with intention and care. From giving clear instructions & practicing public speaking, to navigating conflict, you'll gain experience by having real conversations with both peers and younger campers. This immersive practice will help you build the kind of confidence that comes from feeling heard while also becoming an active listener.
6
Professional Development
As a CIT, this program is designed to be a genuine stepping stone. You'll leave with tangible skills, real experience, and a much clearer picture of your own strengths and areas for growth. Our focus on public speaking, professional communication, resume and interview skills, and more will help CITs feel more prepared for future opportunities, at Camp, school, and beyond.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
CITs get a glimpse of every corner of Camp, including a behind-the-scenes look at how it runs each and every day. Over the course of the program, they will have the opportunity to help run evening programs, support 3-day hike preparation, roll up their sleeves for dish duty in the kitchen, and so much more. Every experience is intentional, building a deeper appreciation for what it takes to make Camp run and giving them real, practical leadership skills along the way.
Let’s make this clear - the CIT program is not all work. This experience is also where some of the best friendships at Camp are made. Alumni of the program overwhelmingly agree that their CIT summer gave them friendships that have lasted well beyond Camp and into their adult lives.
While the schedule is full and purposeful, there is still plenty of room for fun. CITs get to participate in all of the magic that makes Chingachgook special, plus a few experiences that are just for them. Each program brings its own lineup of CIT-exclusive events, which include activities such as sunrise waterskiing, nights off to unwind with fellow CITs and CIT Directors, ice cream socials, and more. Every program closes with a “CIT Night-in”, which is a chance to reflect on their growth, celebrate the program, and enjoy a few fun surprises along the way.
WHAT DO CITs DO?
CITs will be an active and integrated part of the Camp community throughout their program. Each CIT will be assigned to an overnight camper cabin, living alongside campers and counselors to experience first-hand what it takes to be a great counselor. CITs joining us for a three-week program will be part of two different Overnight Camp units across their program. Cabin time, meals, and special events are all shared with their cabin, making the experience as real and immersive as it gets. Every CIT will also go on one of our three-day wilderness hikes, where they will assist counselors with leading the group and have the chance to put their leadership skills to the test in a backcountry setting.
During the day, CITs will spend two skill class periods (roughly two hours) working directly with our CIT Directors and Senior Staff team, diving deep into what it means to be a successful leader. The other two skill class periods are spent shadowing counselors and contributing in skill classes. CITs will also rotate through a daily job chart that includes tasks such as sorting camper mail, assisting during Free Swim, helping in the Health Lodge, doing dishes, and more. Finally, every CIT will spend at least a day with our Day Camp program, ensuring they leave the summer with a well-rounded experience and a deeper appreciation for everything Camp has to offer.
WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT FROM BEING A CAMPER?
CITs will be held to a higher standard than traditional campers. CITs are seen as role models and mentors throughout Camp, and are expected to follow all policies and procedures at all times. With that comes a greater sense of accountability, and we take this experience very seriously.
All Chingachgook CITs are expected to adhere to our Camper Code of Conduct, which can be viewed in our Parent Handbook for reference. CITs are promising to abide by Camp rules and to do their part in making this a positive and safe experience for themselves and their fellow campers. Failure to uphold that promise may result in dismissal from Camp without a refund, as per our policy.
Beyond the rules, we also ask that they come into the summer ready to grow. Much like being a counselor, the CIT experience is about shifting the focus from their own personal experience to contributing to the experience of the campers around them. There is still plenty of room for fun throughout the program, but CITs who arrive with a genuine desire to develop as leaders consistently have greater, more rewarding summers overall.
WHAT DO CITs GAIN?
CITs won't just learn what it takes to be a good leader. They will get real, hands-on experience being a leader and mentor for campers and peers alike. During the program, CITs will have the opportunity to complete an official CPR certification, which empowers them to act confidently in emergencies, ensures safety at home and work, and is often a requirement for jobs in childcare, healthcare, education, and coaching.
CITs will also receive community service hours for their time at Camp upon successful completion of the program. Those in a three-week program will receive 80 hours. They will also have the chance to build genuine connections with staff members from all areas of Camp who can serve as strong professional references down the road.
Lastly, CITs will experience our recently debuted Professional Development component of the program. As part of the end-of-summer reflection, CITs will have the opportunity to participate in mock interviews to help prepare them for entering the workforce. We ask that every CIT come prepared with a business casual interview outfit and a printed copy of their resume, if they already have one.
