CIT Program

A rigorous leadership program that teaches management and leadership skills.

The CIT PROGRAM curriculum is designed to develop the technical expertise necessary to be an effective camp counselor, and to nurture critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity skills vital to social and professional development as a 21st-century leader at Carysbrook and beyond.

2027 CIT PROGRAM HANDBOOK

Campers eligible for the program must be 16 years old or have completed the tenth grade. They attend camp for the entire 7 weeks, spending half of their time in the camper activities of their choice and the other half in an intensive program designed to provide a base in understanding child development, leadership styles, skills and practice, decision-making process, independent thinking, teaching methods and learning styles, and awareness of job responsibilities. The program is supervised and directed by the CIT Counselor who has many years of experience in these areas.

To ensure fit, please complete the CIT Application prior to completing the CIT Registration. If your camper has not completed the above steps by the time you complete her registration, we will wait to process your deposit until she has done so, and we will move her into the session as space allows or add her to the waitlist.

CIT PROGRAM APPLICATION
CIT PROGRAM REGISTRATION
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The CITs are campers, eligible for all camper honors and responsibilities and subject to all camper rules. CITs live in a cabin of their own. They assist in planning some of their own activities and an occasional all-camp activity

Successful completion of the CIT PROGRAM will be determined by the CIT Counselor and will be recognized with a certificate issued by Camp Carysbrook as well as 40 community service hours. Red Cross certificates will be emailed directly to the CIT at the end of the summer at the email provided by the CIT.

PARTIAL LISTING OF TOPICS COVERED

  • History, Philosophy, Organization of Camp Carysbrook
  • American Camping Association, its purpose and function
  • Child development, ages 5 through 16
  • Goal-setting skills and practice
  • Communication skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Leadership skills
  • Group dynamics
  • Decision making skills
  • Value clarification skills
  • Specific job descriptions/General job expectations
  • Teaching methods/Lesson planning
  • Hands-on teaching experience at activities/cabins under the direct supervision of senior staff
  • Group games/Evening program planning organization, execution
  • Red Cross Life Saving including First Aid and CPR

CITs will be evaluated in writing by themselves and the supervising staff. These evaluations will be shared verbally with each CIT.

Successful completion of the CIT PROGRAM can lead to the opportunity to become a WIT (Worker-in -Training) the following summer.

CITs will be required to pack the following items in addition to the standard camper packing list

ADDITIONS TO THE PACKING LIST

Required

  • Backpack with frame (35Β­-50 liter capacity)
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Sleeping Pad
  • Hiking boots
  • 2 2Β­-liter water bottles / hydration reservoir (e.g. Camelback) with same capacity
  • Headlamp
  • Watch (waterproof recommended)
  • Bandanna

Recommended

  • Planner/agenda
  • Moisture-Β­wicking clothing (synthetic, synthetic blend, or wool):
  • 2 pair underwear
  • 1 shirt
  • 1 pair shorts/lightweight pants
  • 2 pair socks (above the ankle)
  • Rain pants
  • Camping chair (e.g. Crazy Creek)
  • QuickΒ­-dry camping towel
  • Rain-cover for backpack
Rates & Dates
Registration Form
CIT Program
Handbook
Payment Information
Camper Forms
CCAA Scholarship

Camp Location

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Memories and Reflections of CampΒ Carysbrook

β€œCamp impacted me by helping with my confidence, gaining new friends and creating memories for the campers that will last a lifetime is something I will never forget.”
First-time international staff member
β€œI believe that I gained professionally in the aspects of communication and collaboration with others, particularly those who I hadn’t met! Personally I know that i’ve grown more confident in myself, which will hopefully impact positively further in my life.”
First-time international staff member
β€œI got a lot better with my leadership skills and was able to learn a lot about myself, how I work best and grow in my professional skills.”
Returning staff member (US, former camper)
“Each year she goes to camp she comes back with an affinity for nature. She’s more independent and courteous. We love all that camp has to offer!”
Parent of 4-week returner
“She continues to come back from camp with increased accountability and independence. It’s wonderful to watch her develop her self esteem and confidence in herself. She wrote us 1 letter this summer because she β€œwas busy having so much fun!”
Parent of 3-week returner
“With every summer, she grows to love Carysbrook more and more. We love that she gets to experience being herself with girls of all ages, learning new things, and connecting with nature in a safe and positive environment.”
“I love seeing what she learns each year from camp. She is learning skills that will be useful throughout life. She loves riding so much. She also loves being able to go camping under the stars as well. I can see a change in her attitude since coming back from camp. She seems to helping me more. You all are amazing. I appreciate you calling me to let me know about things that have happened during camp. I think you do a fantastic job.”
Parent of 3-week returner
“She had the BEST time at Camp Carysbrook this year and cannot wait to return next year! Her cabin counselors were amazing. She also tried new activities and made friends which is exactly what we were hoping for :-)”
Parent of 2-week first-timer
β€œI really appreciate the director’s communication with me and support for my daughter when she was feeling homesick! I’m impressed with how prompt and thorough her emails were despite being, I’m sure, quite busy with the campers.”
Parent of 2-week returner
“She made good friends and loved her counselors. I was so touched to see her counselor get bit emotional when saying goodbye to her and her cabin mates. I wish that I had given her a big hug as I’m so appreciative of their care and love for all these girls. Very, very grateful for them.”
Parent of 2-week returner:
“My daughter loves the fact that she can earn ribbons and awards for doing activities. First thing my daughter mentioned is that she was shy at first but quickly overcame her shyness and could be herself. She wants to go back for 4 weeks because of the friends she made there.”
Parent of 2-week returner
“She loved the variety of activities! Both of us loved the unplugged experience. I believe she really enjoyed the night time experiences where they got to do a variety of fun, special activities. She loved her counselor! I worried that being a new camper at the age of 11 would be tough but she felt very included and made friends in and out of her cabin. She had a wonderful time! She had so much fun and it was truly a very positive experience for her. She was so β€œcamp sick” once she left!”
Parent of 1st year 2-weeker
“Everything was professional and organized. I really appreciated the communication and pictures, especially as a new parent.”
Parent of 1st year 2-weeker
“She feels like she is a part of the Camp Carysbrook family. Carysbrook has helped foster her independent spirit.”
Parent of Returning Camper
“She was crying when I picked her up at the end of her two weeks and said immediately she wants to come back next year!”
Parent of 1st year 2-weeker
“She absolutely LOVED her first camp experience at Carysbrook. Thank you SO much for helping to make this a magical and memorable place and experience for these wonderful young women.”
Parent of 1st year 2-weeker
“She had a wonderful time! She has done a great job with increased independence and has wanted to take on additional tasks and be helpful more often since returning home from camp. She did not have a single complaint or criticism! She does a great job filling us in when she does, so this is a great thing!”
Parent of first-time 1-week camper
β€œThey loved watching their counselor make a fire. Both girls were able to tell me what needed to be done to do it. They loved sleeping in the barn and also the caving!”
Parent of 1-Week Campers
β€œBoth of them loved everything about it – even the showers and toilets. They loved learning where everyone was from and all the activities to choose from.”
Parent of New 1-Week Campers
“I am really impressed with the time that the Carysbrook staff puts into the CIT program – to develop the CITs for a job as a future counselor as well as beneficial general life skills”.
2025 CIT Parent

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