Since the CIT program ended last Friday, I was assigned every day of this week to help around with different groups of kids in Camp Chaverim (K-3rd grade camp). Prior to the program ending, one CIT told me that he would be staying until the end of camp to volunteer. However when I came in this past Monday, I saw two additional CITs volunteering. They all loved their experience at camp as a CIT and therefore have decided to remain until the end of summer as well! As the CIT coordinator it was very rewarding for me to see three out of nine CITs choose to spend the rest of their summer with the campers that they began their summer with.

As a counselor floating from bunk to bunk, I have been able to watch the differences between each counselor’s leadership style. Each bunk consists of 8-18 children and two counselors. The director of camp has assigned me to begin talking to each counselor to see what changes we can make for next year’s summer camp and CIT program. When speaking to one counselor who began as a CIT two summers ago, he said that he would like to see more responsibility being given to the CITs. I also completely agree with this; I noticed that the CITs were a lot more likely to be on their phones when there was an uneven ration of counselors and CITs per bunk. Typically, there was two counselors and one CIT per bunk; therefore, CITs mostly watched rather than leading activities. I would like to see CITs more involved because as of now it seems as if they are only observing and assisting with little tasks instead of really stepping into a counselor’s shoes. I have yet to talk with more counselors about their opinions of camp and the CIT program but I am excited to hear their feedback.