Girl Leadership Opportunities

Our Counselor-In-Training programs at Camp Hawthorn Hollow and Camp Innisfree summer camp are for girls interested in working with younger children and working as a camp counselor when they reach the age of 18.

This program gives participants the opportunity to place the needs of others ahead of their own, share what they have learned, and be a role model for younger campers. CITs will assist staff with cabins, activity areas, evening activities, and with arrival and departure procedures. CIT applicants need to prepare an application with references and are interviewed before being accepted into the program.

CITs are campers participating in a training program to prepare them to take on the prestigious role of a future GSSEM Summer Camp staff member when they reach the minimum age of 18. For two fun-filled weeks CITs gain skills and principles to become the best leaders they can be!

Program Objectives

• To have fun and develop meaningful relationships and friendships.
  
• To enhance leadership skills.
  
• To mentor younger campers in the camp experience.
  
• To promote and display through words and actions, the philosophies, goals and mission of GSSEM camps.
• To gain cabin management skills and program delivery skills.
  
• To increase understanding of child development milestones and issues facing today's youth.
• To develop a deeper knowledge of communication and problem solving skills.
  
• To experience challenging and thought provoking problem solving opportunities.

Each CIT is trained under the supervision of the CIT Director and a cabin counselor. First year CITs are assigned to assist a younger cabin group and join the staff team of its two counselors. CITs spend time with this cabin group and serve as an inspiration and role model for the campers. Each CIT is given various assignments to assist in the management of the cabin group and the well being of the campers. At no time are CITs left to supervise the campers alone. In addition to first year CIT responsibilities, second year CITs can specialize in assisting a specific program area and training under the guidance and supervision of a program area director.

CIT’s also assist with planning camp activities and special events. They use their creativity to tell their camp story to younger generations of campers. Helping with arrival and departure procures also allows girls to see camp life from a more administrative perspective.