The CIT program is a four-week long camp for teens who are interested in developing leadership skills and working with kids. Through interactive workshops, CITs will learn about their leadership style and what it means to collaborate in team settings. They then get the chance to put their skills into action by planning camp activities, shadowing activity specialists, and assisting a counselor with a camper cabin. Other program components include a service project, a trip to visit other local camps, as well as some time to just relax and enjoy classic camp activities.
CITs must be entering grade 10 or 11 in Fall 2025, have a high level of maturity, and be able to live and work closely with peers and adults. Our CIT program is open to teens of all genders and identities. CITs will be living in gender inclusive cabins during their time at Sealth. Previous experience with leadership and/or working with children is recommended but not required. There is an application process for the CIT program (see below), and it can be competitive. Teens do not need to be returning Sealth campers in order to apply!
Dates
There are two “crews” of CITs each summer; each crew consists of 16 participants and runs for four weeks. CITs will go home every weekend after the session ends, except for one long stayover weekend. CITs should be prepared to attend the entirety of their crew dates.
- CIT Crew One: Sessions 1 – 4 (June 30 – July 26)
with stay-over weekend July 12 – 13 (between session 2 & 3) - CIT/RSIT Crew Two: Sessions 5 – 8 (July 28 – August 23)
with stay-over weekend August 16 – 17 (between session 7 & 8)
The CIT program has a maximum capacity for each crew, and accepted applicants are not guaranteed their first preference of crew/dates. To maximize your chances of acceptance, you may need to keep your availability flexible.
What to Expect
The CIT program combines many different elements to give teens a well-rounded experience and opportunity to develop skills in multiple areas. Leadership workshops focus on areas like effective communication, goal setting, and diversity. CITs will also get trained in “kid skills” such as behavior management and age group characteristics. Hands-on experiences include job shadows with counselors and activity specialists, leading camp-wide programming, and doing a full week “live-in” – assisting with one cabin group for an entire session. Other program components include a service project, a trip to visit other local camps, as well as some time to just relax and enjoy classic camp activities.
CITs work closely with RSITs (Riding-Staff-In-Training), who focus on working with horses as well as working with campers. CITs and RSITs live together and do many of their activities together. When CITs work with cabin groups, RSITs work alongside the horseback riding staff. The RSIT Program only takes place during Crew 2.
Goals of the CIT Program
- Youth will grow in confidence and gain leadership skills.
- Youth will learn and observe behavior management.
- Youth will acquire competencies to thrive in cooperative and team focused settings.
- Youth will develop an understanding of how to work effectively with children.
How to Apply
The CIT/RSIT programs foster independence and leadership in teens. All parts of the application must be completed by the teen applicant, not by their parents/guardians. If we determine that an application has been completed by a parent, the applicant will not be accepted. We also highly recommend that the teen applicant, rather than the parent/guardian, communicate with camp staff during their application process.
- Online Registration – click to complete here
- Online Application – click to complete here
- One Reference – click here to send this to your reference
CIT/RSIT Applications will close on March 1st, 2025
Characteristics We Look For:
- Interest in personal growth and a willingness to accept feedback.
- Interest in working with younger children.
- Interest in being an active community member.
- Ability to work cooperatively in a team.
- Ability to commit to the entire program.
- Eagerness and willingness to learn.
Criteria for Acceptance:
Application for the CIT program at Camp Sealth is competitive. Pay close attention to the application requirements listed below.
- Entering grade 10 or 11 in Fall 2025
- All parts of the application were completed on time, with thorough and thoughtful responses
- UltraCamp Registration
- Online Application Form
- Reference
CIT/RSIT applicants do not need to have been a previous participant at Camp Sealth or in Camp Fire programs. Acceptance and completion of the CIT program does not necessarily mean that a teen will be accepted into the LEAD program or hired as a staff member.
If you are interested in experiencing our Teen Leadership Program to see if it is the right fit for you, check out the Teen Leadership Retreat offered in the spring.