Camp Programs

Leadership Programs Page

Right Corkboard

1)    Meet the Director

    Link to Staff Directory Page (Dana Prifti)

2)    Session Dates

LITS

Cost:  $480 for Sessions 1-4

     $250 for Session 5

Age: Entering 9th Grade 

Session 1 June 23-July 3

Session 2 July 7-July 18

Session 3 July 21-August 1

Session 4 August 4-August 15

Session 5 August 18-22

CITS

Cost:    $480.00

Age: Entering 10th Grade

Session A June 23-July 18

Session B July 21- August 15

* Application and Interview required

Junior Counselors (JC)

Cost: FREE

Age: Entering 11th Grade

All Sessions Available

* Application and Interview required

3)    Downloads

CIT Application (get from Dana)

JC Application (get from Dana)

4)    Open House

Open House

May 10th

12-4pm

Come join us for refreshments, to meet the directors, tour camp, and have all questions answered personally by the Camp Director or Leadership Development Director

Center

1)    Mission Statement

Mission

The Camp Chase leadership programs strive to successfully transition youth from inward-focused campers to outward-focused counselors and leaders. The three year program accomplishes this goal through a variety of dynamic activities, hands-on guidance from dedicated role models, and an omni-present focus on the YMCA core values. 

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2)Application and Interview Process (for CITS and JCs)

   

Application Process

The purpose of the interview process for CITS and JCs is to ascertain the mindset of the applicant. The mission statement and goals of the programs clearly call for a specific category of participant. We are looking for youth with who have a desire to learn, grow, and work as part of a team. We require that they come in with a serious and focused attitude—but with the expectation that there will be a lot of fun involved as well. Lastly, we are looking for youth who are going to role model the YMCA core values with their dress, speech, and actions.

The application process for the coming summer begins January 1st and is complete by May 15th (or when all spots are filled).

To apply for a CIT or JC position, please click here for the application (Link to leadership applications).

After completing the application, please send it to the Camp Chase Leadership Development Director, 97 Salmon Brook St, Granby, CT, 06035.

The applicant should receive a phone call from the Leadership Development Director within the next two weeks to schedule an interview. If this does not occur, please call 653-5524 and ask for the Camp Chase Director.

The interview is conducted at the Farmington Valley YMCA in Granby, and usually lasts between fifteen and thirty minutes.

After the interview, the Leadership Development Director will take up to two weeks to make their decision, and will contact the applicant at that point.

If the applicant is accepted into the program, the usual registration forms and payment procedures need to be followed for CITS.

JCs will receive a volunteer packet to complete—and will be advised from then on by the Leadership Development Director.

Any questions regarding this procedure should be directed to the Camp Director or Leadership Development Director (link to Contact Us)

   

3) Program Descriptions   

Leaders in Training (LIT)

The LIT program is geared towards incoming ninth-graders, and is the first step in the Camp Chase Leadership Development Track. The program is designed around two week sessions, and is possible to enroll in multiple times over the course of the summer.

This program begins the participants’ transition from camper to counselor/leader. The program’s primary goals are to facilitate a selfless vision of camp (and the world), hone certain necessary leadership and job skills, and build a team-centric attitude within the group. LITs should come out of the program with a heightened desire to serve others, a better understanding of their own unique abilities, an increased sense of self-confidence, and a desire to continue their own leadership journey.

The program’s curriculum is designed by the Leadership Development Director, under the careful guidance of the Camp Director. During the summer the LIT Coordinator is given responsibility for the hands-on implementation of the curriculum—with the supervision and support of the Leadership Development Director.

Over the course of the session LITs will alternate between teambuilding activities, career and leadership workshops, volunteer opportunities, and camp improvement projects.

Teambuilding activities will include the Low Ropes Challenge Course and the outdoor climbing wall. LITs will also visit Camp Jewell to utilize their High Ropes Challenge Course. The teambuilding experience will also include various non-facility initiatives designed to test and train the group’s cohesiveness, out-of-the-box thinking and problem-solving skills. All of these activities will provide ample opportunity for individuals to explore and develop their own leadership style—while simultaneously promoting self-confidence and team-work.

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LIT workshops will focus on a variety of necessary future skills. A few examples are public-speaking, interview-skills, organizational tips for good study habits, and forums designed to examine each individual’s future possibilities.

LITs will also learn about the importance of a giving spirit—and will volunteer inside and outside camp to cultivate this way of thinking. Ultimately, a sense of ownership and responsibility for “their” camp should surface.

The LIT participants will be evaluated at the end of their session on their attitude, work ethic, passion, teamwork, and role modeling. This evaluation will be discussed with them, and then will be placed in their permanent file. LIT evaluations are an important factor when the Leadership Development Director considers the individual’s application for CITs.

Any questions or concerns about the LIT program should be directed to the Leadership Development Director (link here).

    Counselor In Training Program (CIT)

The CIT program is geared towards incoming tenth-graders, and is the second step in the Camp Chase Leadership Development Track. The program runs 4 weeks, and is offered twice each summer. Enrollment in the program is contingent upon the application process described above. Camp Chase will accept only 24 CITs each summer (12 per session). CIT applicants themselves, NOT PARENTS, should facilitate the interview process. One of the goals of the process is to force the potential participants to take the initiative and responsibility for this process.

This program is a continuation along the Camp Chase Leadership Development Track, and is designed to facilitate the continued transition from camper to staff. The program’s goals are to help CITs develop an appreciation for working with children and many of the necessary skills to do that effectively, promote a team-centric attitude within the group, and cultivate role models who consistently display and embody our core values. 

 The program’s curriculum is designed by the Leadership Development Director, under the careful guidance of the Camp Director. During the summer the CIT Coordinator is given responsibility for the hands-on implementation of the curriculum—with the supervision and support of the Leadership Development Director.

 

The four week program is highly structured, and is divided into different learning quadrants. These quadrants include examination of individual counseling style, introduction to counseling theories and practices, examination of others’ counseling style, and experiential learning.

CIT curriculum will begin with a variety of diverse workshops designed to discuss and teach several of the learning quadrants. CITs will spend the initial phases of their experience assessing their own styles and personalities—while also learning the theory behind successful practices. They will also spend this time participating in a variety of trainings that will better prepare them to be a counselor.

Mid-session, the CITs will spend time shadowing, evaluating and discussing different staff and their varying techniques.

During the final week CITS will spend most of the time with a designated group of campers. They will process and debrief the experience at the end of each day.

The CIT participants will be evaluated at the end of their session on attitude, work ethic, passion, energy, organization, focus, and role modeling. This evaluation will be discussed with them, and then will be placed in their permanent file. CIT evaluations are an important factor when the Leadership Development Director considers applications for Junior Counselors.

Any questions or concerns regarding the CIT program should be discussed with the Leadership Development Director (link).

Junior Counselor Program (JC)

The JC program is geared towards incoming eleventh-graders, and is the third and final step in the Camp Chase Leadership Development Track. Participants will participate in between 6 and 10 weeks, depending on camp needs. The JC program may be repeated.

This program is a continuation along the Camp Chase Leadership Development Track, and is designed to complete the transition from camper to staff. The program’s goals are to produce dynamic, well-rounded, highly skilled, future counselors and role models, who share a love for working with kids.

The program’s curriculum is designed by the Leadership Development Director, under the careful guidance of the Camp Director. During the summer the Leadership Development Director is responsible for the hands-on implementation of the curriculum—with the supervision and support of the Camp Director.

 

JCs will spend 85% of their summer directly with camper groups. They will work in tandem with the counselor, and perform most necessary functions of a counselor. They will never be left alone with the group, but will have multiple opportunities to lead the group with the support of the counselor.

JCs will spend 15% of their summer meeting with their peers and the leadership development director to process and debrief their experience, evaluate the counselors they are working with, participate in training workshops, and journal their experiences.

JCs will be evaluated once a session by the counselor of their group, and once every four weeks by the Leadership Development Director. These evaluations will be weighed heavily by the Camp Director when considering the participant for a staff position the following summer. Successful completion of the program does not guarantee the participant a spot as a counselor at Camp Chase the following summer—however JCs with stellar evaluations will be given every opportunity to earn a spot during the interview process.

Any questions or concerns regarding the JC program should be directed to the Leadership Development Director (link to Dana)