Creating and Sustaining a Successful CIT Program

Launching and sustaining a Counselor-in-Training program--the subject of a recent popular SPARC roundtable event--requires clarity of purpose and well-defined expectations for all involved, including summer camp staff, families, and CITs. The benefits can be well worth the effort by generating revenue, helping younger campers boost their resumes for future employment, and creating positive buzz about your camp. In this post, three SPARC members and CIT "gurus"--Karen McCann McClelland, Carrie Quigley, and Matthew Jordan--share their experiences operating and growing CIT programs for their summer camps.

What Is a CIT Program?

Counselor-in-Training (CIT) programs prepare younger campers for later positions as camp counselors, creating a well-trained and prepared pool of candidates from which to hire. The experience they gain as CITs can also be applied to many areas of employment and life. Under staff supervision, CITs learn valuable leadership skills and how to work as part of a team while growing and gaining confidence in their abilities.

Basics of a CIT Program

Initial Training

Generally, the first part of training is dedicated to teaching CITs what is expected of them, such as the importance of showing up on time, how to interact with younger kids and staff, and where to go if they have questions. This phase may also include team-building exercises, learning CPR/first aid, and basic conflict resolution skills.

Training in Action

CITs then receive hands-on training—learning the nuts and bolts of how a camp runs by taking on supervised responsibilities appropriate for their age. “They are not staff members and not expected to work autonomously or be the front-facing staff for an event,” says Karen McCann McClelland, SPARC Senior Advisor and Director of Auxiliary Programs for Sidwell School. “It’s important that their roles are clearly defined.”

CIT Responsibilities

Typical responsibilities for CITs include greeting campers and families in the carpool, assisting camp teachers or coaches, leading younger campers in games, and preparing activities, such as filling up water balloons for a balloon toss.    

Key Benefits of a CIT Program

For the Program

CIT programs create a pipeline of well-trained campers ready to take on the responsibilities of camp counselors. From the first day, they understand how the camp runs, and the staff will already be familiar with their capabilities from their time as CITs.

“It's a win-win for many people. The camp wins because CITs are usually camp lovers—and they are great ambassadors for keeping camp fun,” says Carrie Quigley, Director of Auxiliary Programs at Poly Prep. "They know that their efforts can help ensure a future employment opportunity, so for most they are motivated to really make a difference.”

Matthew Jordan, Assistant Director of Summer Day Camps at Charlotte Latin School--and himself a former CIT--agrees with the win-win nature of a CIT program. "If we invest correctly, our staff, camp, and school will benefit in the future due to the extraordinary preparedness of our current CITs."

For the school

CIT programs can generate revenue and are easier to launch than other programs. Jordan says the flexibility of CIT programs is one of their strengths. “The beauty of starting a CIT program is the malleable nature of creating something out of nothing,” Jordan says. A new CIT program can be designed around the age group of your school, the needs of the camp, and the number of staff available. 

For CITs and their families

CITs have a unique opportunity to build their resumes and gain skills that will serve them as camp counselors and beyond. “The most impactful benefit of a CIT program is investing in future counselors by providing them with practical leadership experience, a sense of belonging within a community, and the opportunity to fail and grow,” says Jordan. “They leave our program confident in their leadership abilities, having developed new skills in line with job and life readiness.”

“I think the CITs/families are the real winners—and that’s okay!” says Quigley. “The more good press we build about positive programming, the better it helps our enrollment overall.

Successful Strategies for Starting a CIT Program

Be Intentional

“When considering the idea of a CIT program at your camp, it's important first to identify its purpose(s),” says Quigley. “Is the goal revenue?  Is it to create a pipeline of future staff members? Is it to have some extra hands around to assist with all things camp?”

McClelland also stresses intentionality when designing a new CIT program. This might involve running a focus group of potential CITs and their families. “Know what your goals are for the program and what the structure will be. Ideally, have a dedicated staff member in charge.” She also suggests creating a binder for each CIT containing rules and regulations, a list of staff members, expectations for CIT behavior, FAQ’s, and other necessary resources.

Get Staff on Board

Summer programs staff also need to know what their roles are for the program. For example, McClelland says that training day camp teachers and sports camp coaches on how to best utilize a CIT assistant can make the difference between them being annoyed at the extra responsibility to embracing the advantages and possibilities of the program. “Make sure everyone is on board,” McClelland says.

Be Clear About Expectations

Jordan emphasizes the need to be clear with parents about what they and their kids can expect. “We aim to be transparent with our CITs and their families by providing a breakdown of the various costs for the program,” he says. Knowing where their money is going—initial training, hands-on activities, meals and snacks—provides families with trust and peace of mind.

Reflect and Evaluate

Make time for CITs to have regular reflections on their interactions and experiences and debrief after they plan and implement activities. McClelland says that "CITs are often surprised at how much work camp can be. Reinforce that it is okay to try something that doesn't go as planned. That is part of the learning process. Conduct evaluations of CITs so they always know how they’re doing. Address problems quickly and ensure parents are informed so there are no surprises at the end of the program.

Take Advantage of the CIT Program's Flexibility

The flexible nature of CIT programs allows for the program to evolve with the needs of staff, campers, and families. After two years of camp hiatus during construction, Poly Prep’s CIT program is transforming into a more selective LIT (Leaders-in-Training) program, exclusive to rising 10th graders. “We are designing a curriculum that ensures the LITs will walk away with a concrete skill set,” says Quigley. “In a few years, we may go back to having 40-50 CITs, but for this year, we are accepting 24 in an effort to deliver a more robust and personalized leadership program.”

Want to Learn More? Attend the SPARC Working Group for CIT Programs

Recognizing the desire for more conversations about CITs, SPARC is hosting a Working Group Roundtable for members to brainstorm ideas and work through solutions for their programs. This group will discuss best practices, creating schedules, evaluating CIT performance, and related issues. Attendees can share their own strategies, ask questions, or simply listen and learn. Click here to register.

Not yet a SPARC member? Join now for access to the CIT Working Group Roundtable as well as valuable tools, resources, and support from fellow auxiliary professionals.