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Setebaid Services
Two male counselors stand with a group of smiling young campers under a covered pavilion

Counselor-in-Training · Teens with diabetes

Counselor-in-Training: from camper to counselor.

A leadership program for teens with type 1 diabetes who want to lead younger campers. Places are limited, and Setebaid selects from the applicants.

Email the officeAsk about camp
By the start of camp
Ages 16–17
By selection only
July 11–17, 2027
Every CIT has diabetes
Type 1 diabetes
2027 application deadline (Setebaid to confirm)
Deadline to come
A young man with a lanyard talks with a group of campers outside a cabin
today a CIT, next a counselor

For teens who are ready to lead

  • Ages 16–17

    At least 16, and not yet 18, by the start of camp.

  • Lives with type 1 diabetes

    Is a positive role model, with diabetes and in life.

  • Likes kids and the outdoors

    Enjoys working with children and the outdoors, and shows a real interest in becoming a counselor.

Young men: camp needs you

Boys at camp need male counselors. Young men are very welcome to apply.

Ask about camp

What CITs learn

Skills for camp, school and work

Every CIT masters four required skills, adds skills of their choice, and builds leadership skills that help at school, in college and at work.

  1. Camper health and safety

    Required. How to keep campers safe in every activity.

  2. Counseling

    Required. How to guide a cabin, settle an argument and help a homesick camper.

  3. Child development

    Required. How kids think, feel and grow at different ages.

  4. Diabetes management

    Required. How to support campers with their diabetes, and how to manage your own.

  5. Skills of your choice

    Outdoor living, water safety, arts and crafts, camp songs, group games, nature, map and compass, and planning camp ceremonies.

  6. Leadership

    Team building, planning activities, solving problems and clear communication.

How the program works

Two levels, step by step

CITs move up through two levels, CIT I and CIT II (Setebaid to confirm how the 2027 program runs).

  1. 01Level 1

    CIT I: the training week

    A full week of training and team-building workshops. CITs live in a CIT area, with the CIT Director or head counselors. An evaluation follows the week.

  2. 02To move up

    Finish CIT I

    One year in the program, the four required skills, leadership tasks and four skills of your choice, plus an understanding of diabetes camp.

  3. 03Level 2

    CIT II: a week with a mentor

    Selected CIT I graduates spend a week at HDYC with a mentor counselor. They live in a camper cabin with their mentor.

  4. 04To finish

    Finish CIT II

    Meet every CIT I requirement and master two more skills. Your counseling, teaching and leadership skills are reviewed.

For teens and parents

Your diabetes, your role

  1. Your diabetes at camp

    • CITs have more say in their own diabetes care. The medical staff and senior camp staff still watch over their health, and CITs accept their guidance.

    • Blood sugar readings are not part of the evaluation. Working at being a healthy role model is.

    How we care for your child

  2. How CITs are evaluated

    • On enthusiasm, knowledge of diabetes, being a role model, and how they work with other CITs, staff and campers.

  3. What it costs

    • If the 2027 CIT program has a fee, you will find it on Dates and prices (Setebaid to confirm).

    See dates and prices

  4. After CIT

    • CITs often come back to camp as counselors.

    Volunteer at camp

From camper to leader (Setebaid to confirm the quotes)

Campers who came back to lead

Everyone that volunteers at this camp wants to be there. Everyone puts 110% towards the campers placed with them.

Former CITCounselor-in-training

Once I entered the camp, I always felt like I could do more… learn from my mistakes, raise the bar on my behavior, and be more independent. I would not be half the person I am today without the leadership exemplified and coached by the amazing people I met at Setebaid’s camps.

Setebaid alumFormer camper

For once, I didn't feel different.

Christine F.Former camper and counselor

How to apply

Apply in four steps

The 2027 application packet and deadline are coming soon (Setebaid to confirm). There are no extensions: selection starts on the deadline.

Email the officeAsk about camp

  1. 01

    Get the 2027 application

    Ask the office for the 2027 CIT application packet.

  2. 02

    Fill in the application

    Complete the application pages yourself.

  3. 03

    Get your references

    Ask two people to fill in the reference forms, and get one reference letter.

  4. 04

    Send it by the deadline

    Email everything to info@setebaidservices.org, or mail it to Setebaid Services, P.O. Box 196, Winfield, PA 17889-0196.

Ready to lead?

Ask the office for the 2027 application, or send us your questions first.

Email the officeAsk about camp
Mark Moyer, Setebaid Services Director