1.  Provide leadership education aimed at learning transferable skills;

2.  Teach effective counseling skills to use with children of different ages and abilities

3.  Provide social outings to build valuable lifelong friendships within the community.

4.  Emphasize the value of service leadership.

1. There is a progressive structure to the CIT Program.  The first two weeks will focus on team formation and cohesiveness, strength identification, observation, and building a strong foundation for the summer.
2. During the first two weeks, the group will also go on an extended wilderness trip, both to build group cohesion and to extend outdoor living skills.
3. Weeks three and four focus on skills training.  CITs finish lifeguard training and attend advanced classes in archery, riflery, and other craft areas.  In addition, pragmatic counseling skills will be emphasized.   
4. The second session will expose the CITs to the rigors of life as a cabin counselor.  They will assist counselors in everyday duties such as cabin cleanup and putting the campers to bed.  At no point will a CIT be expected to replace a cabin counselor.   In-cabin training will also challenge the CIT’s to develop skills such as handling responsibility, punctuality, and working with peers and supervisors. 
5. The CITs will be given the opportunity to select a personal growth project.  The possibilities are endless, and the project could be something as simple as researching camp history or as complex as building a new structure for camp.  These will offer a chance to shape their own individual contributions to Camp O-AT-KA in an area that interests them. 
6. Along with many of the privileges of being a CIT, there will be increasing levels of responsibility.  CITS work around camp to improve the facilities, do dish crew when the kitchen staff is off, and work on other projects as needed. 
7. Craft Schedule:  During the first few weeks, the CITs will go to crafts as a unit.  This will include athletics, campcraft, a special CIT Period, and lifeguard training.  As the summer progresses, CITs will choose a major and minor area to focus on in order to refine coaching and teaching skills.  During the second session, CIT’s will assist in teaching those craft areas they chose.
8. Each CIT will be assigned an experienced counselor as a mentor to work closely with during the summer.  The mentor will help answer questions, provide open and honest feedback, and support the CIT in improving their cabin management and leadership skills.  
9. CITs will work with other CITs to prepare a Password, a short speech or presentation about something that is important to them, to the camp.  Public speaking is helpful in teaching communication of ideas to others and essential to effective leadership in most settings.

CITs will plan special social events both within O-AT-KA and with other summer camps.

Privileges are not rights.  In order to retain these privileges, a very high standard of conduct, personal responsibility, and cleanliness will be expected.   

• Day and overnight trips
• Use of the CIT Lounge to study, socialize, and hold meetings
• CITs may play in staff athletic competitions, and will be allowed to play with staff teams for all camp activities such as King’s Day and Green and Gray Day
• Use of the weight room
• Ability to continue earning Chevrons in activity areas

Training from other resources in and out of camp on child safety, discipline, and leadership.

Performance evaluations are used to provide feedback for CITs on how they are performing their duties.  The goal is to make expectations clear, create opportunities to improve, and provide the Camp with the tools necessary to evaluate CITs for future employment   The CIT Director, unit heads, activity directors, and Summer Camp Director will do evaluations.  The CITs will also be expected to complete a self-evaluation.  At the end of the season, these evaluations will be used in making the decision whether to offer CITs staff positions.