A Leadership Opportunity                                   for Future Counselors

The Counselor in Training Program teaches youth, ages 14-16, about a Counselor's day at camp.

Trainees are invited to experience the fun, stress, and rewards in a camp day as they assist their Counselor with  a cabin of campers and participate in the overall planning and implementation of the active daytime program.

Why be a Sprucelands CIT?

• Discover Counselor responsibilities before accepting          a Counselor job at Sprucelands or anywhere.
• Earn money off each week's camp tuition.
• Establish job and character references.
• Explore group dynamics in a close living situation, psychology of stages of development, and practical communication skills.
• Experience team approach to supervising campers, planning programs, and solving difficult situations as they arise.
• Practice teaching and leadership in daytime and all-camp evening programs.
• Enjoy fun, long lasting friendship, and enjoy personal growth and expanded self esteem.
• Learn to work with horses and people.

General Expectations

Age of a CIT: 14-16. Stay at camp: 4 week minimum.

As a CIT, you must adjust personal habits to the policy and customs of Sprucelands: no smoking, no alcoholic beverages, no inappropriate sexual conduct, no non-prescription drugs, no inappropriate language, no Tara Cards, no Ouija boards, no Dungeons and Dragons, no Magic Cards, etc.

CITs are assigned to work in an area of the daily program: barn/riding program, waterfront, art room, sports, kitchen. Assignment is based upon special interests and talents of CIT.

Each CIT in the first four week session is expected at pre-camp Orientation to prepare camp equipment, program areas, and buildings for the opening Sunday of camp. Any CIT who will be with us for the summer is strongly encouraged to attend our pre-camp Orientation. CITs who are here for the last four week session are expected to stay through Sunday after the final horse show so they may assist with the closing of camp.

Every CIT earns one 24 hour period each week. This is a break from program duties. CITs may leave camp at 7:00 p.m. on their given day and must return by 7:00 p.m. the following day. Those needing to stay in camp may make arrangements for time out of camp, but must give the Camp Director a completed Out of Camp Permission Form. Days off are arranged during Orientation.

For CITs assigned to the barn/riding program, there will be opportunities to teach under the supervision of a CHA Certified Instructor.  

You will note there is the option to do 4, 6 or 8 weeks as a CIT. Occasionally there are opportunities to function like a true counselor, trying out that role to see if it is something that would be of interest to you in the following camp season.

The CIT program is a definite leadership training program that expands your skills and helps you assert yourself in ways that are challenging and exciting.