CAMP MENDOCINO

LEADERS-IN-TRAINING (LIT) PROGRAM

 

The Leaders in Training (LIT) program is a job readiness and character development program for teens age 15-17. 

 

What will teens do in the LIT Program?

Teens will support campers in villages, run the dining hall, shadow adult staff members, and participate in workshops including: communication, conflict resolution, money management, resume writing, interviewing, and youth development. 

 

Who is this for?

Teen interested in taking on more responsibility at Camp and being a leader and role model for all campers. 

 

What will teens get when they complete the program? 

• A $100 stipend

• 54 hours of community service (8 day session) or 42 hours of community service (6 day session)

• Tangible skills in the following: 

  • Money management skills

  • Conflict resolution 

  • Youth development

 

Whether this is your first year at Camp or you are a long time camper, we are looking for teens who will contribute to our Camp community. Our best LITs are team oriented, hard working, enthusiastic, motivated, and goal driven.

 

Requirements:

• Must be 15-17 years old

• Must be available for one full session at Camp

• Does not need to have previously been a camper or LIT

 

A Leader-in-Training (LIT)...

• Is a role model for all campers. 

• Hard working 

• Enthusiastic 

• Will take initiative. 

 

CAREER-IN-TRAINING OR COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING (CIT) PROGRAM

 

The Career-in-Training/Counselor-in-Training program is for 16-17 year-old campers who have previously participated in the LIT program (either in person or virtual). Participants in the CIT program will choose to focus on one particular ‘pathway’ and gain tangible job skills that will boost their resume. Teens in the CIT program must be able to commit to two sessions. These sessions do not have to be back-to-back but one of the sessions must be an 8 day session.

 

Requirements:

• Must have previously participated in the LIT program at Camp Mendocino

• Must be able to commit to two sessions at Camp (at least one 8 day session, the other session can be either a 6 day or an 8 day session)

 

A Counselor-in-Training (CIT)... 

• is a former camper/LIT who is ready for an extra level of responsibility. 

• is a role model for all campers.

• will take initiative 

• Wants to develop skills in a specific job-training pathway

 

The three pathways offered this year are: 

 

Youth Development (YD) Pathway

 

What will teens do in the YD Pathway? Teens enrolled in this pathway will be focused on supporting campers in day-to-day activities, leading games and shadowing activity specialists.

 

Who is this for? Teens interested in getting a job as a Camp counselor, working at a Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco Clubhouse, or working at another youth-serving organization.

 

What will teens get when they complete the program? 

• A $300 stipend

• 108 hours of community service (two 8 day sessions) or 96 hours of community service (one 8 day and one 6 day session)

• A certificate of completion for your resume

• Tangible skills in the following areas:

  • Camper growth and development

  • Program facilitation and youth engagement 

  • Interactions with campers and other staff 

  • Cultural competency and responsiveness 

 

Maintenance Pathway 

 

What will teens do in the maintenance pathway? In this pathway, teens will sleep in villages that support younger campers, but will spend the majority of their time working with the maintenance team and being exposed to skills needed to get an entry level job/internship/apprenticeship in specific trades (construction, repairs, housekeeping, groundskeeping, etc). 

 

Who is this for? Teens who want to sharpen their skill in hands-on trades. This program is great for teens who may have an interest in future jobs like plumbing, automotive, electrical, carpentry or other skilled trades.

 

What will teens get when they complete the program? 

• A $300 stipend

• 108 hours of community service (two 8 day sessions) or 96 hours of community service (one 8 day and one 6 day session)

• A certificate of completion for your resume

• Tangible skill in the following areas: 

  • Attention to detail

  • Problem solving skills

  • Teamwork

  • Safety and risk prevention

  • Cleanliness and janitorial skills

  • Building upkeep and minor repairs

  • Perform routine maintenance, preventive maintenance, and corrective maintenance

 

Food Service Pathway 

 

What will teens do in the food service pathway? In this pathway, teens will sleep in villages that support younger campers, but will spend the majority of their time working with the kitchen team to develop their culinary skills. Teens will spend time in the kitchen, learning from food service professionals about industry best practices. 

 

Who is this for? Teens interested in getting a job as a kitchen staff at Camp Mendocino, in a restaurant, catering company or any other food service job. 

 

What will teens get when they complete this program? 

• A $300 stipend

• 108 hours of community service (two 8 day sessions) or 96 hours of community service (one 8 day and one 6 day session)

• A certificate of completion for your resume

• ServeSafe certification (needed to work in any food service job). 

• Tangible skills in the following areas:

  • Attention to detail 

  • Problem solving skills 

  • Teamwork 

  • Culinary creativity

  • Technical culinary skills (i.e. knife skills) 

 

In order to be a part of the CIT program, all potential CITs must complete an application online at campmendocino.org. All CITs that complete the program (both sessions) will receive a $300 stipend and 108 hours of community service (two 8 day sessions) or 96 hours of community service (one 8 day and one 6 day session)

 

In order to successfully complete the program, all CITs must be in good standing with Camp, complete any necessary assignments/projects, attend any necessary workshops, and receive a passing grade on the CIT rubric. 

 

All teens who complete the CIT program will be automatically invited to BGCSF's College and Career Prep program, and Camp Council program. 

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