Unfortunately, this week is the last week of the month-long CIT program. During this last week, the nine counselors in training were able to select which camp they would want to assist in. Some went to the kindergarten – third grade camp, while others spent their mornings in the pre-school camp and their afternoons in the special-needs camp. This week, I began to reminisce to the first day that I met the CITs and did the icebreaker game with them. I remember vividly how nervous the CITs were on the first day of camp. I have seen tremendous growth in their communication and leadership skills. They have grown attached to the campers that they worked with and have developed great relationships with the counselors whom they assisted. Overall, the CITs have become comfortable with the role of a camp counselor.

During this week, the CITs wrapped up the skit they have been working on, and will perform it for the entire camp tomorrow. With the CIT program also being a professional development program, I did practice interviews with each CIT to determine their understanding of professionalism in interviews. Overall they did well, and I was able to provide thorough feedback to each CIT. I interviewed them as if they had just applied to become a camp counselor. Therefore, the interview questions that I prepared were real-life scenarios that can happen during camp.

My favorite part of the CIT program was the professional development aspect of it. I enjoyed giving thorough advice that would help each CIT perform as a great counselor for next year’s summer camp. I was able to give more advice to one specific CIT, as we shared the same race and gender. I knew that she could relate to me and I am glad I was presented with the opportunity to give her certain advice on professionalism, that was only applicable to her.