Counselor-In-Leadership Training (CILT): Ages 13-15
If you have a teen that loves children, animals and the outdoors then our Counselor-In-Leadership Training program (CILT) may be a great fit for your family. CILT provides the opportunity for teens to have a fun and engaging first work experience. They will also gain valuable job experience working alongside our experienced staff as they engage with children in an outdoor farm setting. Our program helps foster leadership qualities and encourages teens to be positive role models for younger campers. CILTs will have plenty of time to explore their own interests on the farm, but will also be expected to assist veteran camp counselors with camp activities, to actively lead games and activities with campers, and to create a welcoming atmosphere for all the children at camp.
CILT’s will…
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Actively participate in camp activities and engage campers.
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Learn from counseling staff’s direction, communication, and positive coaching.
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Learn to lead activities under the guidance of camp counselors.
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Demonstrate the ability to plan and implement an activity with campers
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Have free time to pursue their own interests and have lots of fun.
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Participate in an evaluation, assessment and feedback sessions with peers and supervisors
Requirements
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Ages 13-15 (CILTs must be age 13 by June 1st)
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Must be able to attend a Mandatory 2-hour Training on either Saturday 6/6 or 6/13 prior to camp (3pm-5pm). You need to attend only one of these days. Mark your calendar now - we'll ask for RSVP as camp approaches.
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We follow the guidelines for the American Camp Association, which require that camp counselors are a minimum age of 16.
Registration
There is not an application for the CILT program. Please register online for camp as you normally would. CILT spots are very limited (6 per week) and will fill quickly.
CILT participants pay only $275 for the week and have the opportunity to earn back up to a $50 cash stipend at the end of the week, based on their evaluation.
Transfer Requests & Cancellations
Cancellation and Refund Policy is here
CILT Policies
Our goal is to help counselors-in-training grow personally, professionally and socially. Through open and constructive feedback, CILT’s will build skills in leadership, communication and work ethic. We take the CILT program very seriously and reserve the right to remove a CILT from the program if they do not meet expectations or violate Sun Star Farm’s polices and procedures.
Once Your Teen Turns 16…
Our Counselor-in-Leadership Training (CILT) program is designed to help teens develop confidence, responsibility, leadership skills, and experience working with children. As teens grow from ages 13–15, they often mature into stronger counselor candidates each year. Every teen develops at their own pace.
Once your teen turns 16, they are welcome to apply to become an official Sun Star Farm Camp counselor. Please note that participation in the CILT program does not guarantee employment.
Each year, we typically begin interviewing and hiring counselors in November and December. We first invite back our returning counselors, then fill remaining positions with new applicants based on camp needs, leadership ability, maturity, work ethic, and overall fit for our team.
If a first-year 16-year-old is hired, they will typically be scheduled for just 2–3 weeks during their first summer. This allows both the counselor and our leadership team an opportunity to ensure it’s a great fit before expanding responsibilities in future seasons.
Some of our most valued counselors began as campers, continued through our CILT program, and have returned year after year because they genuinely love working with children, caring for animals, and helping create the magical camp experience our families know and love. We are incredibly proud to watch our campers grow into leaders.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me.
Questions? Email Heidi
