Counselor in Training Program
Leaders are made in our Counselor in Training Program
The YMCA Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program offers teens a unique chance to develop essential leadership skills in a dynamic camp environment. Focused on preparing participants for success not just at camp but also in their schools, homes, and communities, this two-week program includes training in areas like team building, lesson planning, skill building, to boost your teen's confidence!
The CIT Program is ideal for teens who:
- Are between 13 and 16 years old
- Enjoy staying active all day
- Want to make new friends and create lifetime memories
- Aspire to gain valuable skills as a future camp counselor
If this sounds like you, we can’t wait to see you this summer!
CIT Sessions Summer 2025
- S1: June 30-July 11
- S2: July 14-25
- S3: July 28- August 8
- S4: August 11-22
- S5: August 25-29
CIT Fees
- Session 1-4: Member: $200; Non-Member: $325
- Session 5: Member: $100; Non-Members: $175
What is it about?
The Counselor in Training Program at the Ithaca Y is a progressive, experiential, educational course designed to help young people develop their awareness and basic skills of youth work, enhanced with an intentional leadership development design. The CIT curricula is designed to develop the technical skills necessary to be an effective, competent, and compassionate youth worker, possessing all of the core competencies the YMCA recognizes are vital to success as a counselor in either a day camp or after-school setting.
While it is not "working" at camp in the same sense as a staff member, as a CIT, participants are still technically youth participants and therefore bound by many of the same rules and restrictions as regular campers. CITs are not paid and they are not guaranteed a staff position at the completion of the program.
This program teaches management and leadership skills, time management, curriculum development, gives you hands-on training, classroom work, and interview experience. Our goal is to help you prepare for a summer job in the future. During the day we’ll meet to plan activity sessions for CITs, discuss your observations and experiences while working with campers and staff, practice filling out job applications, and gear up for the all-important mock job interview which will take place at the end of the session. You will also receive volunteer hours that can be added to your growing resume, an American Red Cross CPR Certification, and a letter of recommendation upon request.
Daily Schedule
- 7:30 – 8:00 am Drop Off/Check-in
- 8:00 – 11:45 am Morning Activities
- 11:45 – 12:40 pm Lunch Break
- 12:40 – 1:30 pm Character Development Planning
- 1:45 – 2:45 pm Character Development Activity
- 2:45 – 5:30 pm Afternoon Activities
- 5:30 pm Camp Day Ends
Find full program information, guidelines, and expectations in the 2025 Counselor in Training Packet.
