What is the CIT Program?
The Counsellor-in-Training (CIT) program is run by our amazing Assistant Director each and every summer. The program invites youth 14 to 16 to participate in staff training, volunteer for weekly practical experiences during Junior and Intermediate camps and develop their leadership skills with our CIT Program Directors. *Date is calculated from July 1st.
Youth leave the program not only prepared to be a counsellor, but leaders as well. The training includes topics and hands-on skills like resume building, peer mediation, conflict resolution on top of how to navigate being a great counsellor to kids at camp. Youth who are 14 and 15 are welcome to both be campers during senior and apply for, and if selected, be part of the CIT Program.
We also really encourage our CITs to take an active role in this process themselves. Having your CIT be the one to explore the website, ask questions/send emails, and complete the application (with your support, of course) is a great first step in building independence and confidence as a young leader. It mirrors the responsibility and initiative we hope to foster through the CIT program.
Cost & Fees
Tier 1 - $150 : This tier reflects a "Pay It Forward" contribution to the program to support other youth in affording the CIT program at Sherbrooke Lake Camp.
Tier 2 - $125 : This tier best reflects the true costs of this program including a CIT T-Shirt, onsite meals during practical weeks and supplies
Tier 3 - $100 : This tier reflects a subsidized option for interested CIT participants.
The fees go towards a CIT t-shirt, meals for the weeks that they are there, and any program materials to support their time at camp.
Application and Program Timeline
March 14th, 2026 youth will directly apply through the STAFF CampBrain portal; this closes April 11th at 11:59pm.
During the application process, we will ask for a reference letter. Please use this letterhead when requesting a reference letter!
They will hear back from us after the closing date. We encourage youth to be independent in this process, use their own email and phone number as available. They may create a Staff/CIT CampBrain login separate from their camper CampBrain login. There is a portion of the application where they enter parent/guardian contact information so parents can be kept in the loop.
May 2nd, 2026 - If successful, the youth will be invited to interview during the May 2026 Clean Up Day.
June 30th - July 3rd, 2026 - CIT Program participants are part of staff training.
For their summer, we will work with them and their family's schedule to have them out for specific weeks as a CIT. Typically, we like to see their first week be the first 2 weeks of the summer, 1st Intermediate (July 7 - 12th) or 1st Junior (July 14th -19th)
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If your youth has any further questions, please have them reach out via email to our Executive Director, ed@sherbrookelakecamp.org
If you are interested in beginning to prepare to apply, we encourage they check out the application resource below, made by Summer 2022 Assistant Director Meagan MacPherson