LIT/CIT Training

[prettysocks]

Okay, I've been searching this board and haven't found anything on it, so I'm throwing this to you guys and gals!

I, apparently, last week sometime, without my knowledge, was designated to run a "pre-camp" for LIT's. I'm not mad, I'm excited! I really don't know much of what to do with them, though. There was a few articles in the "Camp Articles" section that I could make into activities (such as the ABC's one), and of course giving them, or having them share with each other, game ideas, having them cook and set up their tents and such - making sure they're all on the same level for basic camp skills and leadership/fun skills.

Guys! HELP!

[runrachrunn]

- Bri,

I think that most of the pre-camp time can be extended to CITS/LITS. Much of we went over were basic health/safety things, communication, chain of command, etc. I would find out what the staff are going to be doing, and go from there. But it soulnds like a great plan.

[LifeIsGood]

bri- are your CITs and LIT campers with disabilities or just young staff? Tell me a little about your group. I have never seen CITs and LITs done in camp settings with individuals with disabilities.

I have a really long post coming, but I will be late for class if I type it...so later I promise I will update you

[prettysocks]

Oh, sorry! No, this isn't for the camp I work at in the summer. It's for a Girl Guide camp (which I worked at 3 summers ago and hated) in the London Ontario Canada region. They are aged 15-18, teenaged ladies, and do not have disabilities (unless someone who has a disability was to apply, they would not be turned away of course!).

They typically have quite a bit of experience for 15 year olds, and at least some camping knowledge, because they've usually been in Guiding a large portion of their lives. I don't work with anyone this age, and though I could pull some ideas out of my.... head.. and the internet, I'm looking to you smart camp friends for ideas!

I also thought I'd throw out there.. I'm especially looking for LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ideas, and ACTIVITIES TO DO/USE WITH CAMPERS. Though they are a part of the "staff team" (which is comprised mainly of volunteers), they are in training, and don't really need to know all the.. ya know.. safety crap. It's also apparently going to be a month or so before camp actually happens, on weekend camps, so it's more useful skills and stuff that would stick with them for a lifetime. Okay, now I'm blabbering.

Thanks! Keep 'em comin'!

[laurathistle]

Hi Pretty Socks

http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/seniorsection/



This is the link to the UK Guiding website that relates specificly to the senior section. These girls, sorry, young ladies, are can be from age 15 1/2 to 26 but are usual age 15 - 18 becasue they can go on and and be an adult leader at 18.

I know there is quite a lot on leadership and some usefull bits on obtaining a camp permit which may be the part most relevent to you. hope this helps!

[Flukie]

I PM'ed Bri with a bunch of activities I do with my girls, but for everyone else - these are a few of their favorites:

CIT Notebook – ½ Hour
The dreaded CIT Notebook… Find out exactly what is expected from you. (I promise, in the long run, you’ll be happy you created it!)

Team Building Initiatives – 1 ½ Hours (Schedule before noon on Tuesday)
It’s important that you be able to work together as a team. Try your hands at some new team building initiatives and share some of your favorites with the group. Then invite some campers to try your favorites!

Communication Skills – 1 Hour
Do you ever feel like what you are saying just really isn’t being heard? Learn how to hear what your campers are really saying – and how to get them to talk to you.

Emergency Procedures – 1 Hour (Schedule before noon on Tuesday)
Sure, you know all about fire drills, lost bathers and lost campers. But do you really know what is going on at camp? Learn about the different plans in place for emergency procedures.

Diversity – 1 Hour
We have many things in common and many things that are different. This hands-on activity asks you to look at how you are and where you stand in life compared with each other.

Fire Building Challenge – 1 Hour
It isn’t camp without a campfire. Practice your skills and challenge your fellow CITs in the fire building challenge. If you think you’re a one match whiz, we’ll move onto flint.

All Camp – 2-4 Hours Planning, 3 Hours of Activity
Try your hand at planning a large scale activity for the whole camp. The sky is the limit for this event – take the time you need to plan and then implement three hours of programming.

Traditions – 1 Hour
“But it’s tradition!” Is it really? What makes something a tradition? Who makes a tradition? Get the real deal on traditions (and who “ruins” them).

Managing Behavior – 1 ½ Hours (Schedule before noon on Tuesday)
How do you get campers to actually listen to you? How do you create a unit where everyone participates? And what do you do when they are just out of control? Learn some new skills to help manage behavior and put those skills to the test with these true scenarios!

Group Prim – 24 Hours
Take it back to basics for 24 hours. Cook out four meals, pitch a tent and practice firebuilding, knots, knives, compasses and hatchets. It’s just us for this primitive camping trip.

Night Hike – 1 Hour
There is so much to do at night at camp. This hands-on activity will teach you how to help your girls grow comfortable in the dark and explore all that camp has to offer at night.

This year, I'm trying something new with my CIT 1s. As a group, they are getting a list (written out like the examples above) with everything we need to cover in CIT. Together, they'll fill out their own schedule. There are some things that are specified to be done before a certain day and some things (visits to other camps) that are pre-scheduled. But for everything else - it's all them. I'm hoping it gives them even more ownership of their program.

[prettysocks]

Thank you Laura!

And Flukie, YOU ARE THE NEW LOVE OF MY LIFE! AHHHH THANK YOU FOR PLANNING THE ENTIRE CAMP. *karma*

[Flukie]

Glad I could help! My first summer as CIT Director, Council said we had a curriculum and handed me the Campfire Boys and Girls curriculum with some "suggested sessions on Girl Scouts". And while the Campfire curriculum is GREAT, it didn't fit perfectly to my girls needs.

We also do a session on standards (ACA, Council, etc) that though boring, is important. And fun stuff, like a CIT Race at the Sailing Regatta (I come in last!), a CIT Night Out, CIT Graduation - I love my job!

[happy_camper]

Someone on here said that you shouldn't spend time on the safety stuff, but I think that is one of the most important things. You are responsible for these campers, and knowing the safety and emergency procedures is of utmost importance.
Also, if your camp uses Bob Ditter, show them the videos/do the program with the CITs.
I also think you should teach them how to teach. At my camp, CITs are in charge of songs and games. They have to make a song and game box or binder with 50 songs/games for CIT 1s, and 50 more (100 total) for CIT 2s. Teach them how to teach songs, games, and crafts.

[gabor85_hungary]

Flukie, this selection of your agenda points is very professional!

[Possuumm]

one of my friends is the CIT director @ my camp and has a website for CITs

http://www.angelfire.com/mo3/speckles/

it's VERY helpful :)

http://www.campcedarledge.com/index.html

website for my camp...also has some fun stuff

[prettysocks]

We had the LIT PreCamp this past weekend. Here was our very flexible schedule:

FRIDAY

6:30-7:30 Arrive, settle in.
Get to know you games
7:30-9:00 Introduction to summer camp / weekend rules
Goals and expectations
9:00-9:30 night hike
9:30-? snack (chips, pop)
campfire

SATURDAY

7:30 Rise and shine, start breakfast
8:00 Breakfast: Oatmeal, bagels, cream cheese, margarine, muffins, oranges, juice
Clean-up / Duties
9:00-11:30 Team Building initiatives
Communication skills
Child Abuse
Managing behavior/conflicts
11:30-1:30 Lunch / outdoor cooking - pizza pie irons, coleman soup, coleman hot chocolate
1:30-4:00 Teaching games
Camp Orenda Skills
4:00-5:00 Me time
5:00-7:30 Supper / outdoor cooking - foil dinners: hamburgers, potatoes, carotts; eclairs
Clean-Up / Duties
7:30-8:30 Age Group Differences
Homesickness
8:30-9:30 Night games (craft)
9:30-?? Snack (hotdogs)
Campfire

SUNDAY

7:30 Rise and Shine (start breakfast)
8:00 Breakfast: bagels, cream cheese, margarine, muffins, oranges, juice
Clean Up Breakfast
9:00-10:30 1 1/2 hours planning for summer camp
10:30-11:30 Tidy up and pack
11:30 Home! We hope you had fun and learned lots!

[triplethreat]

I'm introducing a small LIT program this year and I love the idea of having them create a LIT notebook. I'd love to hear more about what different camps do to introduce this idea, and what sort of things go in it. Are there handouts, or do the LITs come up with everything themselves?