Counselor-In-Training Program
The Living Earth Counselor-In-Training Program is a transformative leadership and learning opportunity for veteran campers who love LES.
Cultivating Confident, Powerful Leaders
Deep down we know that teens want to contribute. This is a real place where they can test life skills, learn more about themselves, and bring skills onward into their future. Though we hold a high bar for these teens, they also have an incredibly fun week.
Should my teen be a CIT or just participate in a teen camp?
If your teen thinks they want to teach kids someday, if your teen loves learning about nature and experiencing it firsthand, and if your teen wants to step into the maturity of being others-centered and service-oriented, then this is the program for them! CITs often reference their time at LES on college applications, resumes, and job applications. We have written countless letters of recommendations for CITs. Some students credit the CIT program with gaining them college scholarships and the skills to feel confident in their first job.

CIT Leadership Training Areas
Pre-requisites:
Some teens aren’t interested in mentoring or don’t yet want to take on that helper, service mentality, and that’s ok! If your teen just wants to learn more about nature and feel the good vibes of an LES teen community, we highly recommend one of our many day camps, residential overnight camps, river trips, or backpacking trips that are open to teens.
Day Camp CIT Program
Being a Day Camp CIT is a great chance for teens to be immersed in our Coyote Mentoring culture. From the planning meeting at the beginning of the day to the debrief at the end, you’ll learn the “behind the scenes” of nature mentoring.
One to two CITs will be placed in a small group with two instructors and twelve campers. Your lead instructor will check in with you periodically throughout the week to see what your goals, challenges, and learnings are.
Logistics: In general, the camp day runs from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with campers present from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Overnight Camp CIT Program
This intensive leadership training will give teens not only the skills of a great camp counselor and leader, but also teach them life skills for other professional pursuits.
We will train them using the same activities and experiences we use to train our best staff. We will look at what makes a healthy camp culture where the kids feel safe to be themselves and what supports people to come alive.
Logistics: CITs participate in preparation meetings, debrief meetings, and post-camp take-down. Drop off is 8:45 am on the first day of camp (Sunday), and pick up is 3 pm on the last day of camp (Friday).