The Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program is designed for those exceptional young scouts who display true leadership and maturity within their own troop. It's purpose is to give training to potential future staff members.
The qualifications for CIT program participation include being a minimum fourteen (14) years old, he must be at least a Star rank and he must have the signed approval of his parents and a recommendation from his Scoutmaster. Most important he must be mature enough to place the welfare of the camper above his own and he must have leadership ability. This program is highly competitive and only a limited number of CIT's can be accepted each week.
The program is beneficial to both the potential staff member and the camp management. The CIT can experience the life of a staff member by actually living it for a short time. He is assigned to various program and/or support areas so that he can experience what the job requires of him. This program has proven useful in recruiting a more experienced and qualified regular staff. The program also enhances staff retention and tenure rates.
To participate in the program, a scout must apply to the camp management using the Junior Camp Staff Application (available before camp at the council service center or at camp in the camp office). The Camp Director will then contact the applicant, set up a time for an interview, and, once selected, determine the dates of service. CIT's can normally serve for one or two weeks. The length of service is directly related to the CIT's attitude and willingness to be a part of the team. Service as a CIT does not guarantee future employment as a full time staff member but is looked upon favorably when making application for a regular staff position.
The CIT program is promoted each week at scout camp and regular staff members are urged to make the camp director aware of campers they feel would make good CIT or regular staff members. As CIT's are interviewed and selected a primary survey is completed with each scout to determine where his interests and talents lie. A determination is then made about what departments the CIT will be serving in. All CIT's who are selected before camp are encouraged to participate in pre camp staff Training sessions including council training programs such as TTT (Train the Trainer) Conference. A limited number of CIT's may be selected during the summer camp program for participation in a latter week of 1993 summer camp.
CIT's are quartered along with the regular staff and no special designation is made of their status for campers or scoutleaders. CIT's are able to take one period during the day to work on their personal advancement. There is no registration fee for participation in the CIT program and there is no salary. A Trading Post voucher will be given to each CIT along with s staff patch & T-Shirt.
At Thunder each CIT is rotated from department to department each week and works under the direct supervision of the area director. Written weekly evaluations are made of each CIT by the area director and forwarded to the Program Director who will monitor the CIT's overall progress in all departments, making a final report to the Camp Director for use in future regular staff recruitment.
CIT's do not teach Merit Badges but often assist other counselors in their sessions. CIT's often help with the skills offered through our Woodsman First Year Camper Program and provide additional assistance to the Scoutcraft Department on the overnighters campouts to the outpost camp. They are also responsible for implementation of the Thunder patrol Rainbow Bead program in each department, and act as an administrative assistant to the area directors.
The CIT's also are involved in implementing the camp wide Multi-Media center concept and assist area directors and counselors in setting up audio visual equipment, posters, training aids, and demonstrations. The CIT's also participate in the implementation of various rainy day, twilight, and honor unit special programs.
There are several departments in which CIT's do not participate. These include the Dining Hall, Quartermaster Compound, Trading Post, and the High Adventure Programs consisting of High Adventure Sailing and Project C.O.P.E.
The cornerstone of the CIT program consists of a special twice a week CIT seminar conducted by the program director at 12:00 - 12:20 on Tuesday & Thursdays before lunch. At these sessions many of the same topics presented at national camp school are presented to the CIT's and other interested staff members. New for the 1993 camp season is a motivational and goal 10 part course called "The Psychology of Winning" which is taught on a regular basis by the Program Director at these twice weekly meetings.
