CIT program

[shortridge]

Lots of interesting info in the cost of camp thread about counselors-in-training, and I figured it warranted a spinoff.

 

I got in as a CIT in 1994 at age 13 (I turned 14 in August, so technically got in under the 14-year-old age cutoff). We didn't get paid, but we got room and board and midnight PB&J sandwiches and all the other staff perks. (Foosball! Video snight! Electricity in wall tents!)

 

We rotated among Boy Scout program areas for three weeks, spending a week in each area, did a half-week of retraining for Cub camp and then worked as "program specialists" for the Cub dens - leading them around camp, helping with program areas, leading songs and games, etc. Those of us who'd been den chiefs had a leg up. We all worked the full summer, 10 weeks total. Most returned the next year as paid staff, with a bonus for their CIT service.

 

Opening up the floor: Have you or your son been a CIT? When? Did you get paid? What was your job? Did you work the whole summer, or just a few weeks?(This message has been edited by shortridge)

[CalicoPenn]

Yep - was a CIT - back in 19brblbrblbrbl. Back at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation - first out-of-council CIT they had (so I was told). Assigned to work the first two week session - spent time at the nature center and the waterfront the first week. The second week, I was assigned to be a camp clerk - ended up staying the remainder of the summer as a camp clerk - with only one two week interuption when I camped with my unit at the camp on the other side of the lake (and was treated as an odd cross between a camper and staffer - a camper with staff priviledges like the midnight PB&J's). Wasn't paid the first two weeks but did get a small "paycheck" (actually, a cash stipend) for the remainder of the time at the reservation.

[Nachamawat]

I worked as a CIT for the Penns Woods Council in central PA back in 1977. We had three council camps (Camp Seph Mack, Camp Roaring Run, and Camp Wopsononock) but summer camp was only offered at the last two and one staff covered both camps. We actually set up and trained week one in the first camp and then moved to the second camp three weeks later. The second camp was set up by the OA but torn down by the paid staff. I think I was paid around $75 a week for 8 weeks. I was responsible for a few merit badges but I simply cannot remember which ones. I spent most of my time (and money) at the rifle range. Pretty sure that my Philmont trek (1975) and camp staff experience got me elected to the OA.

 

Great time and great memories of that summer!

[gwd-scouter]

Patrick worked as a CIT for the full summer session. He rotated around the first couple of weeks and then was assigned to ecology. That, however, is not the normal practice for CITs at our camp. Normally, they go for one or two weeks, working in different program areas each day.

 

CITs are not paid. If they return the following summer to work as a paid staff member, they get slightly higher starting pay because of having been a CIT.

 

Patrick is working his third summer in ecology this year and was delighted to find out he got a raise.

[Buffalo Skipper]

I was a CIT at age 14 as a Life scout at Camp Euchee (Spanish Trail Scout Reservation). $10/week, with 6 weeks of camp that year. I spent the first year in the environmental area, which I really did not like. Second week was spent in the dining hall, and the next 4 were spent in the handicraft, under a second year staffer. I came back the next summer as the second year staffer running the handicraft. I made a whopping $20/week that year, which actually paid for the sodas I drank.

 

Great memories there. There was another camp across the lake which was the primitive camp (we maintained separate staffs), and we used to have midnight raids on one another at least once or twice a week (ususally pillow fights with water guns and shaving cream!). Going to camp as an adult last year for the first time in 20+ years reminded me of the groups and clicks which formed (shooting sports, waterfront, etc) and have changed little in that time.

[ReneScout]

"...we used to have midnight raids on one another at least once or twice a week (usuaslly pillow fights with water guns and shaving cream!)"

 

Ohh, how fun that sounds!

 

I myself was not a CIT, but I know how we use them. In my camp, you must be 15 to be a CIT and 16+ for paid staff. CITs get The Bunkhouse, an old, decrepit staff cabin with two sides, and are allowed all the perks the regular staff get, including our Wednesday parties. They are usually sent to an area where they will gather the knowledge for staffing in that same area the next year, unless the kitchen says they need new meat. After two weeks of working (enough for them with the usual third week of being a camper), their term ends and they go home. They do not get paid, and they do not get a bonus the next year (that I am aware of), but they get a good time and plenty experience, and we make sure they are invited for next year (they usually accept with all their hearts).

 

We actually rely a lot on CITs, especially when we get the prodigies or musclemen and use them as best we can. Some senior staff think of them as second rate, being the new guys and getting some special treatment from the area director (if they do their work well), but that is, thankfully, a rare sentiment, and quick to be handled.

 

 

[Gunny2862]

The boy goes out CIT'ing this year. Unpaid. Camp Staff week, A couple of work weeks, his camp week (not-comped), a Couple more work weeks and into the School season we go.

 

It's the extra uniforms - grr, we'll be upside down this year and I just have to (forlornly) hope he doesn't outgrow them before next year.

They do get a CIT bonus if they come back next year that straight hires who haven't CIT'd don't get.

 

I went out and trained their "The Trainers EDGE" module last weekend. It looks like a good crew.

[EagleBeaver]

Oldest son was CIT in 07. At Camp Many Point, the scout pays $100 to CIT for 5 weeks, either the first or second half of the summer. The CITs get to try out lots of different program areas.

My son was there first half and then got hired for the second. He then worked on staff in 08 as handicrafts director and is going back this summer as first class adventure director.

[Stephen_Scouter]

I was a CIT the summer I turned 14. It was a two week program and I rotated to several program areas as well as the trading post and kitchen during the two weeks. We lived in the staff area, attended staff meetings, etc...

 

We were not paid, but past CIT's are given preference in the hiring process in following years.

 

I went on to work on summer camp staff for 5 summers at two different camps.