Counselor-in-Training Program
General Description
The CIT Program provides participants with the skills and knowledge they will need to become camp counselors. Participants are legally considered minors, but go through a training program and then have increased responsibilities and privileges.
Requirements
Applicants who are at least 16 (but do not turn 18) years of age by the start of camp, who have Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D), have an interest in working with children, like the outdoors, and are positive role models with regard to their diabetes and life in general are encouraged to apply. Participants are selected from a pool of applicants; those who are qualified and show a sincere interest in becoming a future counselor are considered for selection.
Program Content
The goal of the CIT Program is to have participants develop leadership skills in various areas including outdoor living skills, water safety, arts & crafts, camp songs, sports & group games, nature, map & compass skills, camp ceremonies planning skills, interpersonal relationships, child development, child psychology, and diabetes management. Participants will focus on team building skills, program development, program implementation, problem solving, communication, responsibility, and more!
Program Length
CIT I: Selected CITs will attend the training or “classroom” program during the first week of Camp Setebaid at Swatara. The participants will participate in training and team building skills workshops throughout the entire week. After completion of the training week, CITs will be evaluated and may be offered to intern with Mentor Counselors at Camp Setebaid at Mount Luther; during this second week, every evening will include learning sessions where CITs and their advisors will discuss the different roles of serving as a counselor, drawing from the day’s experiences and observations.
CIT II: Those who complete the CIT I Program may be selected to continue training as a CIT II. CIT IIs will experience a week with mentor counselors at The Harrisburg Diabetic Youth Camp (part of Camp Setebaid at Swatara in Bethel, PA), exploring counselor roles and recapping the day's experiences with the directors of the program.
Housing
CIT I: CITs are housed in an area specifically designated for the CIT Program during their first training week. The second week, CITs are housed in the youngest cabins of their gender with a mentor Counselor; they are supervised by the CIT Director or Head Counselors.
CIT II: CIT IIs are housed in camper cabins with a mentor Counselor; CIT IIs are supervised by the CIT Director and Head Counselors.
Evaluation
Participants will be evaluated in all aspects of the program, according to enthusiastic participation, knowledge of diabetes, ability to serve as a role model, and relationship with peers, other staff, and campers.
Diabetes Management
Participants have increased input into the management of their own diabetes. However, our medical staff and the senior camp staff monitor their health and well-being. Participants must be willing to accept guidance offered by the camp staff. Although blood sugar readings are not included in the overall evaluation of a CIT, the willingness to work at being a healthy role model is an important part of being an excellent CIT.
Frequently Asked Questions & CIT Application:
What is the Counselor-In-Training (CIT) Program?The CIT program is, as its name suggests, a program for teens with diabetes to develop skills to become a residential diabetes summer camp Counselor.
Specifically, the program will sharpen mandatory skills including:
- Camper Health & Safety
- Counseling Techniques
- Child Psychology
- Diabetes Management
In addition to the mandatory skills that must be mastered for successful completion of the program, there are several other skills that may be included in the program.
These skills may include, but are not limited to:
- Outdoor Living Skills
- Water Safety
- Arts & Crafts
- Camp Songs
- Sports & Games for Groups
- Nature
- Map & Compass Skills
- Camp Ceremonies Planning Skills.
The CIT Program will also develop Leadership Skills in the trainees.
These leadership skills will be useful while working with campers; the leadership skills will also be useful in school with peers, in college with peers and in work situations as the CIT moves into the working world.
What Should Be Your Goals and Objectives for the CIT Program?Your objective for the CIT Program should be to advance through the progressive program over a period of several levels, including the CIT I and the CIT II levels.
Progression through the levels is determined by your experience and time in the program and by your successful mastery of skill levels.
How do I Progress In the CIT Program?To successfully complete the CIT I level, you will be required to have one year in the program where the first week is spent in training and the second week is spent with a mentor counselor.
You must reach proficiency in the mandatory skills listed above, leadership responsibilities, and four of the other skills.
In addition, you will need to demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the diabetes camping program.
We hope you will realize learning is a continuous process which never ends; and most of all, we hope you enjoy your time in the program and have fun!
To successfully complete the CIT II level, you will need to meet all of the CIT I level requirements and master two additional skills.
Those who are completing the Counselor in Training Program will be expected to have your counseling skills and all skills mastered to date reviewed and evaluated.
You will work on your teaching skills and strengthen your leadership skills while gaining practical experience working as an apprentice counselor with your supervisor.
How Do I Apply for the CIT Program?CIT applications are available by clicking the link below and are due in the Setebaid Services' office by Noon on April 5, 2024. Applicants should click on the attachment below to download the seven page application.
Once applicants have completed the last four pages of the application and received the two reference forms completed by references, scan them (including two completed reference forms) and your reference letter and send them to info@setebaidservices.org. You may also mail them to: Camp Setebaid, P.O. Box 196, Winfield, PA 17889-0196. The application deadline is April 5, 2024, at NOON. We CANNOT offer any extensions, as the selection process begins on the deadline. Be sure to have all necessary pieces of the application in the office by Noon on the deadline date to be considered for this exciting two-week CIT Program.
The CIT program is, as its name suggests, a program for teens with diabetes to develop skills to become a residential diabetes summer camp Counselor.
Specifically, the program will sharpen mandatory skills including:
- Camper Health & Safety
- Counseling Techniques
- Child Psychology
- Diabetes Management
In addition to the mandatory skills that must be mastered for successful completion of the program, there are several other skills that may be included in the program.
These skills may include, but are not limited to:
- Outdoor Living Skills
- Water Safety
- Arts & Crafts
- Camp Songs
- Sports & Games for Groups
- Nature
- Map & Compass Skills
- Camp Ceremonies Planning Skills.
The CIT Program will also develop Leadership Skills in the trainees.
These leadership skills will be useful while working with campers; the leadership skills will also be useful in school with peers, in college with peers and in work situations as the CIT moves into the working world.
Your objective for the CIT Program should be to advance through the progressive program over a period of several levels, including the CIT I and the CIT II levels.
Progression through the levels is determined by your experience and time in the program and by your successful mastery of skill levels.
How do I Progress In the CIT Program?To successfully complete the CIT I level, you will be required to have one year in the program where the first week is spent in training and the second week is spent with a mentor counselor.
You must reach proficiency in the mandatory skills listed above, leadership responsibilities, and four of the other skills.
In addition, you will need to demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the diabetes camping program.
We hope you will realize learning is a continuous process which never ends; and most of all, we hope you enjoy your time in the program and have fun!
To successfully complete the CIT II level, you will need to meet all of the CIT I level requirements and master two additional skills.
Those who are completing the Counselor in Training Program will be expected to have your counseling skills and all skills mastered to date reviewed and evaluated.
You will work on your teaching skills and strengthen your leadership skills while gaining practical experience working as an apprentice counselor with your supervisor.
How Do I Apply for the CIT Program?CIT applications are available by clicking the link below and are due in the Setebaid Services' office by Noon on April 5, 2024. Applicants should click on the attachment below to download the seven page application.
Once applicants have completed the last four pages of the application and received the two reference forms completed by references, scan them (including two completed reference forms) and your reference letter and send them to info@setebaidservices.org. You may also mail them to: Camp Setebaid, P.O. Box 196, Winfield, PA 17889-0196. The application deadline is April 5, 2024, at NOON. We CANNOT offer any extensions, as the selection process begins on the deadline. Be sure to have all necessary pieces of the application in the office by Noon on the deadline date to be considered for this exciting two-week CIT Program.
To successfully complete the CIT I level, you will be required to have one year in the program where the first week is spent in training and the second week is spent with a mentor counselor.
You must reach proficiency in the mandatory skills listed above, leadership responsibilities, and four of the other skills.
In addition, you will need to demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the diabetes camping program.
We hope you will realize learning is a continuous process which never ends; and most of all, we hope you enjoy your time in the program and have fun!
To successfully complete the CIT II level, you will need to meet all of the CIT I level requirements and master two additional skills.
Those who are completing the Counselor in Training Program will be expected to have your counseling skills and all skills mastered to date reviewed and evaluated.
You will work on your teaching skills and strengthen your leadership skills while gaining practical experience working as an apprentice counselor with your supervisor.
CIT applications are available by clicking the link below and are due in the Setebaid Services' office by Noon on April 5, 2024. Applicants should click on the attachment below to download the seven page application.
Once applicants have completed the last four pages of the application and received the two reference forms completed by references, scan them (including two completed reference forms) and your reference letter and send them to info@setebaidservices.org. You may also mail them to: Camp Setebaid, P.O. Box 196, Winfield, PA 17889-0196. The application deadline is April 5, 2024, at NOON. We CANNOT offer any extensions, as the selection process begins on the deadline. Be sure to have all necessary pieces of the application in the office by Noon on the deadline date to be considered for this exciting two-week CIT Program.
