CIT Program

The Counselor-in-Training (C.I.T.) program is available for campers entering 10-12th grade who are attending our two-week sessions (Sessions 3, 4 or 5). The program emphasizes leadership skills, creativity, team building, self-compassion, and most importantly fun! By acting as role models for younger campers and assisting in leading different aspects of the camp program, it is our goal that the C.I.T.’s walk away having learned new leadership skills and have formed lasting memories with our youngest campers.

The daily schedule of a C.I.T. is very similar to that of an Alpiner camper. During 3 out of the 4 activity periods, the C.I.T.’s participate in regular camp activities. This gives the group a chance to enjoy all of the great activities that Mountain Camp has to offer along with their peers. The remaining activity period is spent doing fun leadership activities as a C.I.T. group. Other activities that are offered to the C.I.T.’s include, but are not limited to:

• A White Water Rafting trip
• One overnight trip
• Hosting an All Camp Evening Program and Campfire
• Playing a large role in our Mountaineer Program
• Assisting with the younger cabins during hang time, water carnival etc.
• Assisting during free-choice day, shadowing a staff member as they lead an activity

The C.I.T program has its own application process (not first-come, first-serve).

Here’s how it works:

1. Camper Application

   • Parents/guardians complete a regular camper application for the desired C.I.T session(s).

   • Applications open November 3.

   • While there’s no rush to submit on day one, applying early gives your camper more time for the next step.

2. C.I.T Video Interview

   • After submitting the camper application, you’ll receive an email with instructions for the C.I.T video interview on Sparkhire (a simple, one-way platform we also use for staff).

   • The short, three-question interview is low-pressure and meant to help campers reflect on what Mountain Camp means and why they want to be a C.I.T.

3. Review & Decisions

   • Applications are due December 1st.

   • Decisions are emailed on December 15th.

   • Applications received after December 1st will be placed on a waiting list in the order received.

   • No deposit or tuition is charged until acceptance.

We look at:

• Years as a Camper – Priority for those with more years at Mountain Camp and those who have not previously been a C.I.T.

• Past Performance – Positive attitude, engagement as a camper, being a positive role-model in the cabin.

• Video Interview – Enthusiasm, leadership potential, and desire to work with younger campers.

Please note, this is a highly competitive program and some years the acceptance rate is 50%, meaning that many amazing candidates are waitlisted for the program each year.

No deposit is required to apply to the C.I.T program. A deposit would only be charged if your camper is offered a spot in the program and your camper accepts.

Campers may participate in only one C.I.T session per summer. If you are looking for more options, check out the CILT program at Farm Camp!