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FAQs about CIT:
Why should I be a CIT?
That is a very good question, and it is one that you should think about
yourself. Being a CIT means that you are prepared to make a big sacrifice
for camp. You will not be able to drive, you will not have access
to the internet, your PS2, your girlfriend, or your school friends.
You have to make a total commitment to camp. This is where CIT can
be really rewarding and fun. Uncle Al and Spencer have chosen you
to become Counselors in Training. You represent the best of Winona
and you represent the future of Winona. Look at all of the Unit Directors
in camp: almost all have been CITs. Look at the former BATs: almost
all have been CITs. CIT is a lot of hard work, but it can also be
the most rewarding summer you have at camp. For the first time, you
will be wholly responsible for the time you have, and many realize
just how much fun it is to make their own way on the shores.
Will I get to go out on trips and/or do JMG?
In the most recent summers, CITs have not taken a unit trip, as there
is so much to do in camp that we have not found the time to run a proper
trip. That is not to say that CITs do not get out of camp. Over the
past three years, the CIT directors have worked hard to ensure that
trips majors get out on trips in order to gain a leadership experience.
All of the trip leaders have been good about asking CITs to participate.
As far as JMG is concerned, CITs will not be able to do all of the
classroom work that the Senior campers do. They do not get to go on
the Allagash, unless asked to help lead the trip. If you are close
to passing JMG, then speak with your director to ensure that your senior
rotation coincides with testing camp, and then be prepared to work
hard on your own to review. If you want to start JMG as a CIT, it is
not impossible, but given all of the work you will have to do to prepare
and given all of the work you will have to do in CIT, it will be an
extremely difficult undertaking.
What is CIT all about and how will it help me get a job at Camp?
Well, most of the answer is found in you. At camp, the staff makes
sure that each and every camper is supported and is having fun. Staff
members return year in and year out because they have learned how
to have fun while helping others. Basically, the more a CIT puts
into his summer, the more he will get from it. When they arrive on
the shores, the CIT Unit Director(s) have reviewed each candidates’ applications,
and the group is divided into four different rotations—each
rotation is comprised of a different group of CITs, so the boys get
used to working with different people in different situations. In
the first few days of camp, the candidates learn the American Red
Cross’s CPR for the Professional Rescuer and begin Life Guard
Training. They also prepare for Field Day. All of this work is done
as an entire unit. After Field Day, three of the rotations head off
into the units, where they will act as assistant counselors, helping
full time staff teach their activities and helping in a tent. CITs
are encouraged to help in any activity, but usually focus on the
activity or activities that they feel they want to teach. Often times,
especially in the younger units, CITs are asked to help out in areas
where they are needed the most. Whatever the situation, the various
Unit Directors and counselors are grateful for the helping hand.
The fourth rotation takes the Life Guard Training course and is in
charge of the daily upkeep of the CIT wiggy, located way down at
the South End of camp. Some CITs fear that the rotations do not allow
for enough time with their friends. While they are purposely separated
in their rotations, the CITs do eat all of their meals together,
they have rest hour together, they take one day off per week together,
and lights out in the wiggy is later than in the rest of the units,
so they have time at night together as well. By the end of the summer,
each boy will have taken Lifeguard Training, CPR, and will have worked
in every unit. The Unit Director(s) then make a recommendation based
on evaluations from the units and from the CITs self evaluations.
The Camp Directors make the ultimate staff placement decision.
What should I bring?
Pack what you would normally bring for a year in Senior, plus whites
(either white shorts or pants, and a white button down shirt or polo
shirt). I would suggest bringing two white shirts, as things can
get dirty at camp. Recently, CITs have been allowed to bring bikes.
Use of bikes will be determined by the Unit Director, although bike
helmets are mandatory for CITs at all times.
How much money should I bring?
Camp’s suggestion of $40 dollars per day off is reasonable. We
have six days off per summer, so $240 total is usually sufficient.
Some people bring $300 for the summer. CITs can bring money either
in cash or in the form of a check. Recently, CITs have also brought
ATM cards. CITs need to be careful to budget their money. Some days
off require more money than others, and often times, CITs have the
opportunity to purchase food in town. For the past few years, the CIT
unit has made a t-shirt. Funding for all of these comes out of the
CIT bank. All money is stored in the Office, and can be accessed only
by a Unit Director. If a CIT wants money, he must ask his UD to get
it for him. Money is stored in individual envelopes, and is accounted
for every week. If a CIT is running low, the UD will inform him privately,
and advise him how to proceed.
What is the CIT experience like?
CIT can be the difficult and rewarding summer at Winona. For the first
time, the boys are presented with the challenge of making their own
summer. As a camper, they were influenced by staff members who worked
their hardest to ensure they were having a good time. As a CIT, they
must learn how to have fun while focusing their energy on other people
rather than themselves. This can be a difficult transition to make,
but once it is made, many former CITs reflect on their experience
as the most rewarding because for the first time at camp, they are
wholly responsible for themselves. Living in the CIT wiggy is arguably
the most fun part of the summer. For many of them, living “way
down at the south end” is the first time they live on their
own. A special kindred spirit quickly develops among the boys as
tales from the day find their way back to the wiggy.
What do we do on Days Off?
Days off are planned by the CIT, and are carried out at the discretion
of the Unit Director. Transportation is offered for a 9 AM – Midnight
day off, although the CITs have room to be creative with when they
take their day off. In past years, CITs have planned a 1 PM to 1
PM, where we go out in the afternoon, come back by midnight, and
sleep the morning away at camp. The usual CIT day off is a morning
at the beach, followed by an afternoon at the Maine Mall, culminating
with a movie. Usually, the CITs find their way to Freeport and North
Conway, and over the past three years, the major day off has been
a rousing game of paint ball.
Do I have to go on Day off?
CITs can choose not to participate on a day off, quite a common practice.
They do so for a number of reasons: to save money or to go on a trip.
However, days off are not banked. If a CIT chooses to miss a day
off, that day off is lost. Furthermore, when a CIT misses a day off,
he must be in a unit working; he cannot be in CIT on his own. Should
that CIT be in flex group, he can work in a unit of his choice for
the day, but again, he must be working in a unit.
What will be expected of me?
CITs are held to virtually the same expectations as staff members.
The same rules that apply to staff apply to CITs. With that being
said, ideally, they will be a positive influence on the campers they
work with and in the units they work in. They will do their best
to assist the counselors and Unit Directors in a wide variety of
situations. The expectations change from unit to unit. A Senior rotation
CIT will have much more guidance than a Junior rotation CIT. CITs
are also expected to make mistakes. All of the staff is told this
during pre camp orientation, and the Unit Directors use the “it
takes a village to raise a child” ethic when training CITs.
What is really expected from the CITs is improvement and enthusiasm,
and hopefully, their learning curve will breed fun.
Can I change my major and/or minors?
Majors and minors are activities that the CITs already feel comfortable
teaching. As a result, these are the activities that they will probably
end up teaching as a staff member. That said, they are not written
in stone, nor are they the determiner of the CITs’ time. If
a CIT finds that he enjoys teaching one activity that is not his
major or minor, he is free to help out in that activity. Regardless
of where they go, most CITs find themselves helping at the activity
that they want to teach. That, usually, is their major.
What is flex group?
Flex group is the fourth rotation. At the beginning of the summer,
all CITs take CPR for the Professional Rescuer. If possible, during
the summer, all CITs take Wilderness First Aid. During the summer,
because life guarding skills require time to master, the unit is
divided into four groups who take life guarding in 9 to 10 day classes—flex
group. Classes meet in the morning and afternoon, and the kids are
given the evening off to rest, study, or practice. Sometimes, CITs
are asked to do special projects around camp or to scout new trips.
Flex group takes care of these as well. The Flex group is also raises
and lowers the flags each morning, cleans the wiggy each day, and
sorts the laundry each week.
Can I go out with my parents and friends?
Parental visits need to be cleared by a Unit Director. In general,
CITs are allowed out of camp with their parents, but they must trade
a day off in order to do so. Also, on ½ season, CITs can go
out with their parents only after lunch on Sunday. They are needed
in and around the units on Saturday, at Chicken Barbeque on Saturday
night, and for Sunday Service the following morning. CITs are not
allowed out of camp with their friends unless specifically authorized
by a parent and by Uncle Al. Even then, such activities are strongly
discouraged.
Evaluations:
At the end of the summer, each CIT is asked to evaluate themselves
with the CIT UD. At this time, they will be asked for their choice
of assignment, and the CIT UD will give them a summary appraisal
of their summer. As stated above, the CIT UD will then use this information
as well as the evaluations to make a recommendation to the Camp Directors
concerning placement. The ultimate placement decision is left to
the Camp Directors.
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