Counselor In Training

About the CIT Program:

Wild Earth’s Counselor in Training (CIT) program engages young leaders who are ready to make a meaningful impact at camp. CITs contribute to summer camp’s magic as inspiring role-models, sparking campers’ interest in learning, growing, and embodying camp values each day. 

CITs play a unique and vital role—standing at the bridge between campers and staff. 

While considered campers under New York State Board of Health regulations, CITs join staff training, planning, and debrief meetings, positioning them to contribute as a core part of the staff team. CITs devote their summer to service, and are expected to sustain their focus on the care and wellbeing of campers with support from lead staff. In acknowledgement of their efforts and commitment to camp, CITs receive a stipend and paid training including First Aid & CPR certification and Wild Earth’s youth development & social-emotional support training.

 

Teen Leadership Pathways & Opportunities:

Red Tail Hawk Leadership Camp offers another robust leadership development pathway to High School teens up to 17 years old. At Red Tail, participants build their leadership capacity by partnering with staff to shape their own adventures and take on challenges that excite them. Red Tail supports teens to have a summer of their own — to explore, connect, and have adventures without the work and responsibility of focusing on young campers. All eligible teens are encouraged to consider Red Tail, and teens are welcomed to re-enroll even after completing a year as a CIT.

 

CIT positions are offered to qualified applicants based on availability, and are not guaranteed. CIT applicants are encouraged to reserve a space in Red Tailed Hawk Leadership Camp during the application period, as they will be welcomed to enroll if a CIT position is not available to them. 

 

Family Partnership Approach:

Wild Earth will engage parents and guardians of CITs through a partnership approach, to support CITs’ success. Parents and guardians will be included on correspondences that outline the commitment CITs are making to the program, including required dates and CIT expectations and responsibilities. Most day-to-day communications will then be directed to the CITs independently, with parents and guardians looped in as needed to offer additional guidance and support. This collaborative approach recognizes that CITs hold a hybrid role as both campers and emerging staff.

 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Eligible CIT candidates will:

• Be age 15 or older by the first day of camp
• Have 2+ years of experience as a camper at Wild Earth or another program. (At least 1 year must have been at Wild Earth.)

CITs must be available for:

• The entirety of a session of camp
• Required training and orientation dates

 

CIT Competencies: 

CITs will be expected and guided to demonstrate the following competencies at camp:

Supervision & Leadership

• Serves as a positive role model for campers.
• Stays focused on the group of participants.
• Contributes to activity leadership in areas of strength and interest.
• Maintains appropriate physical boundaries with participants.

Accountability

• Arrives on-time with gear and materials ready.
• Upholds Wild Earth policies, procedures & practices relevant to the CIT role.
• Fulfills land stewardship agreements and leave no trace principles.

Teamwork

• Requests direction when needed.
• Seeks and applies guidance to fulfill their role on the team.
• Supports team to meet participant and program needs.

Planning

• Shares ideas and asks questions during planning.
• Plans elements of an activity, to develop their interests and strengths.

Adaptability

• Looks for emergent needs and opportunities, and offers support.
• Receives direction to help meet emergent needs

Communication

• Responds promptly to team communications.
• Communicates uncertainties and concerns to lead staff.

Risk Assessment

• Upholds Wild Earth’s safety policies, procedures & practices, and seeks clarification from lead staff when uncertain.
• Maintains awareness of environmental and activity hazards with support of lead staff.

Self-Care & Growth

• Self-regulates in routine program situations.
• Practices self-care so they can support others.
• Communicates learning & support needs to lead staff

How To Apply:

1. Complete Wild Earth’s Summer Camp Job Application by February 15th. Please make sure to look at the dates carefully with your parent or guardian to make sure you have the availability to attend all the dates of the session you are applying for. Late applications will be reviewed, however, positions may already be filled.

2. Upon completing your application, you will receive an email from our staff for the next steps in the process. Interviews for new applicants will take place between February and March. Although we hope to let all applicants know of their acceptance by the end of March, specific camp placements may not be made until as late as May, shortly before the start of camp.

 

 

Posted in: General Job FAQ