Teen Leadership

Develop leadership skills that are useful at home, school, and in the community – not just at camp.

opportunities

Schoolhouse of Wonder provides unique opportunities for 13-16-year-olds to feel confident, secure, and imaginative as they continue to discover who they are and what they’re capable of achieving.

Our mentors coach teens to observe, learn, and practice skills and qualities such as positive attitude, integrity, confidence, humility, empathy, communication, cooperation, teamwork, and the willingness to try new things. Through these experiences teens learn to hear their own voice, discover their own leadership style, and build their capacity to lead people of all ages.

Counselors in Training (Summer Camps)

Counselors in Training (CIT) support our younger campers while being mentored by our dedicated camp staff. Each CIT sets personalized goals, receives real-time verbal feedback and written feedback, and is encouraged to challenge themselves with leadership opportunities in a supportive environment. During the summer CITs can serve for a single week, a few weeks, or even a month. Individuals who participate in the CIT program then have the opportunity to further their leadership skills by applying for employment with Schoolhouse of Wonder as a Junior Counselor.
Summer 2025 Counselor in Training Program
CIT registration will open mid-January, 2025

Requirements:
Age: 13-16 years old (must be 13 by August 31)
Cost: $___/week (CITs are eligible for multi-camp discounts)
Maximum four weeks
Participants in the CIT program are also eligible for scholarships. Scholarship information will be posted in early January 2026.
Acceptance into the CIT program is contingent on the participant’s ability to attend required training in May 2025.

The registration process is the same as registering campers. This allows you to register for the weeks you’re looking for right away, and circle back later with your teen to share some information with us about their goals and experience. We’ll send out a form later in the spring.

If your teen is interested in more than four CIT weeks, please email schoolhouse@schoolhouseofwonder.org to let us know. If we have additional space, we’ll reach out to interested CIT families in March or April.
Register
Counselors in Training (School Break Camps)
Discovery Day dates, we offer a less structured leadership training opportunity. CITs in our fall, winter, and spring camps continue to be mentored, receive feedback, and challenge themselves with leadership opportunities in a supportive environment. It is unlikely that they will receive formal, written evaluations.

Requirements:
Age: 13-16 years old
Must have attended Schoolhouse CIT training and have previous CIT experience at Schoolhouse
Cost: $___
To apply: Email schoolhouse@schoolhouseofwonder.org
With limited availability for CITs in these programs, we will discuss assignments on a case-by-case basis
Junior Counselors (Summer Camps)

In 2013 we created Junior Counselors as the capstone of our leadership training program. These paid summer camp positions are designed to help 16-17-year-olds continue to develop important skills like problem-solving, communication, creativity, teamwork, and group facilitation, and bring them into the workforce. Junior Counselors (JCs) receive high quality training, support, and supervision from Schoolhouse staff.

Young leaders who have participated as Counselors in Training (CIT) are encouraged to apply for summer sessions depending on their interest and availability. Junior Counselors typically work only one session of the summer season and preference may be given to folks who can work the entirety of a session. Junior Counselors must be at least 16 years old by the beginning of their preferred session.

Important 2025 Dates:
Session 1: <dates>
Session 2: <dates>
Applications for 2025 Junior Counselor positions open on ______________. Please read the position description and application instructions.

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