A
Counselor-in-Training is a young person who desires to learn the leadership
skills of a camp counselor/leader. The
CIT is one who learns by doing and by observing. The CIT works in relationship to a counseling team and a
family group of boys and girls.
The Event
Director assists in orienting the CIT. The
CIT is occasionally given responsibilities outside the family group (small
groups), but normally most of the leadership roles are practiced within the
family group.
The CIT will
be working in cooperation with a counselor and a counseling team and will be
housed in a cabin with a counselor and campers. The CIT will not be reimbursed for travel expense to the camp
site but will not be charged a fee for the week of camp.
Following are
some of the desired qualities of a CIT:
1.
An interest in the out-of-doors.
2.
An interest in working with children.
3.
Able and willing to work with others.
4.
Able and willing to take direction.
5.
Has a fundamental faith and relationship to the church.
6.
Has participated previously in a camping program.
7.
Is mature in judgment and attitude.
8.
Is
willing to give full attention to the program.
THE CIT IS
RESPONSIBLE TO:
1.
Adult Co-counselors
2.
Event Director
PURPOSE:
1.
To provide leadership for a group of
campers in the camp program.
2. To
develop leadership abilities and skills in young people who are interested in
the Christian faith and outdoor education.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Counselor-in-training
should:
1. Be
a committed Christian, with a dedication to the Church.
His/her life should exemplify the Christian way of life.
Each CIT is called upon to
spread the "good news" of the gospel and should be a facilitator of
growth and change.
2.
Appropriate age according to the Age Graduated Policy for CIT's:
· Minimum age of 14
· Must be two years older than the oldest camper attending a particular session of camp
3.
Have at least one year of experience in organized group camping.
4.
Be able to relate well to others, especially children.
5.
Exhibit knowledge of responsibilities.
6. Must be a registered camper for one of our summer camps!!!
7. Must complete the online staff training curriculum that will be offered prior to the beginning of camp and pass each of the 12 modules.
8. Must be able to attend the mandatory staff training prior to the beginning of camp.
9. Must be able to pass with a grade of 70 or above the Sexual Abuse and Molestation Awareness Training exam which follows the training event at camp.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Each Counselor-in-Training (CIT) will —
1.
Abide
by SLUMBER FALLS CAMP POLICIES and PROCEDURES.
2.
Live
with a small group of 5-7 campers (cabin group) and be a friend who is worthy of
respect; a CIT is not just one of the boys or girls and must be
responsible for physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of the camper.
A CIT is responsible to know where her/ his campers are at all times.
3.
Assist
in responsibilities for a co-ed family group of l0-l2 campers with counselors.
4.
Guide
campers in following all camp policies, procedures and rules and must be willing
to abide by the same rules by which the campers themselves live.
(Lights out, rise-up time, morning watch, promptness at meals, wearing of
shoes, etc.)
5.
Guide
campers in participation in group, individual, and all-camp activities.
The CIT should encourage healthy relationships and competition between
campers and groups.
6.
Practice
good, effective, and shared leadership with counselors and campers.
7.
Practice
Christian principles in group decision-making, and help campers to understand
these principles and live their faith. CITs
should be able to stimulate interest in the beauty of God's love, God's world,
God's purposes.
8.
Participate
in all activities with the group and must be willing to involve and submerge
themselves in the activities of the group.
9.
Cooperate
with the authority and duties of hired camp staff.
10.
Act
as host/hostess in dining hall during meals.
Sit with campers in dining hall.
11.
Supervise
camper chores (restroom, cabin and grounds clean-up, dining hall duties, etc.)
12.
Begin
the week prepared, rested and ready for the task.
13.
Greet
campers and parents on opening day, and help campers settle in and adjust.
14.
Plan
activities for the campers with counselor, allowing flexibility.
15.
Assist
in program activities with Event Director, as assigned.
16.
Give
aid to less experienced CITs.
17.
Report
to Event Director matters s/he cannot handle, e.g., discipline, communication
problems with staff, counselors or campers, etc.
18.
Must
prevent romantic entanglements which could disrupt the life of the whole camp
and destroy the CIT-camper relationship.
19.
Evaluation:
a.
Set
tone for end-of-week camper evaluation.
b.
Fill
out evaluation form thoroughly.
c.
Participate
in end-of-week evaluation session.
2008 Volunteer Application Process