With all that teens have going on at home, it's nice to take a break from technology and to retreat into the woods. Our teen leadership programs help teens unplug and enjoy camp life while learning real life leadership skills and building their resumes. We offer two programs: a leader-in-training (LIT) program for campers 15-17 and a counselor-in-training (CIT) program for campers ages 16-18.
Our LIT program focuses on teaching leadership skills and giving participants opportunities to practice those skills in the camp environment. They'll lead activities and devotions, help staff members, and more!
LITs room with other program participants of their gender. As a group, they'll do activities and have discussions to give them a newfound understanding of and appreciation for leadership. Upon program completion, we'll sign off on 20 community service hours.
This week-long program costs $150. Scholarships are available. LITs can apply for Session 1 (Harry Potter): June 23-29, Session 2 (Outer Space): July 7-13, Session 3 (Harry Potter): July 14-20, and/or Session 4 (Around the World): July 21-27.
To participate in our LIT program, interested 15-16-year-olds should submit an application (due April 30) and a reference form (due May 4). Group interviews will be held May 4 in Tallahassee and May 11 in Jacksonville.
Application
Reference Form
The CIT program focuses on teaching skills and providing practice for interacting with campers. Whether your child hopes to be a camp counselor, teacher, coach, or something else one day, the CIT program will help prepare them for working with children in any capacity.
CITs will sleep in the cabin with campers, and they'll assist their counselor in all cabin duties. They'll do activities and have discussions to give them exposure to best practices. Many of their activities will be adapted from our staff training. Upon program completion, one-week CITs will receive 20 hours of community service and two-week CITs will receive 40. Our CIT program is free for participants.
Our 2019 CIT sessions are:
- One-Week Session A: June 23-29 (Harry Potter theme)
- One-Week Session B: July 7-13 (Outer Space theme)
- Two-Week Session: July 14-27 (Harry Potter + Around the World themes)
Please note: Two-week CITs are required to stay from July 14-17. This includes a weekend stayover between camper sessions.
To participate in our CIT program, interested 16-18-year-olds should submit an application (due April 30) and a reference form (due May 4). Group interviews will be held May 5 in Tallahassee and May 11 in Jacksonville.
Application
Reference Form
Our leadership programs are incredible and offer a unique camp perspective. While teen leaders do get to participate in many of our camp activities, they don't experience them the same way a camper would. Instead of climbing the wall, they may help harness and cheer on other campers. During the Camp Weed 500, they may hold mattresses to keep campers safe instead of racing themselves. Because of this, many of our LITs and CITs also attend Senior Session (June 16-22) in addition to serving as a teen leader.