Find Your Inner Leader
Our leadership training camps give youth in grades 7-10 skills they will use throughout their lives.
Entering grades 7 & 8
Hopkinton Summer Day Camp
Can only register for ONE 2-week session
The Leaders in Training program welcomes youth entering 7th and 8th grades who are interested in developing leadership skills. The program emphasizes volunteerism and service learning and has a staff-to-camper ratio of 1:10.
Leaders in Training (LITs) learn how to contribute to their camp community and gain skills to become active leaders. They participate in team-building activities and develop the talents necessary to work with their peers, community, and younger children.
A core feature of this program is a service project dedicated to the camp property. Last year, one of our groups designed and created a new slingshot range.
About 30% of the time, LITs participate in traditional camp activities like sports, arts, and swimming. The LIT camp day also includes portions where they may lead a camp activity for our youngest campers or learn from a program specialist how they run their program area.
LIT Experience Highlights:
Being a leader at camp
Volunteering and service learning
Social-emotional learning, including skill development in decision-making, problem-solving, creating friendships, and team building
Focus on cultural awareness, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
Walk away with a strong work ethic that can apply to any leadership experience
Session Dates:
Session 1: 7/8 - 7/19
Session 2: 7/22 - 8/2
Session 3: 8/5 - 8/16
Application Process:
- Register online for one LIT session
- Complete and submit LIT program survey
Entering grades 9 & 10
Hopkinton Summer Day Camp
Mandatory training week 1 or 2
Commit to four additional weeks
Counselors in Training (CITs) is for teens who want to be a part of a working team and leadership community. CITs will be trained and supported to engage with younger campers, act as role models, and lead others. CITs must participate in a mandatory training week, either week 1 or week 2. Afterwards, CITs will assist counselors in camp groups and lead activities throughout the day. As a workplace readiness program, it does not include traditional camp activities outside of daily swim time.
Through the CIT program, teens develop workplace readiness skills, gain experience working with youth, and learn to become community leaders. CITs are expected to learn and understand Y policies/procedures. The Y will consider CITs who display outstanding abilities for employment once they turn 16.
CIT Experience Highlights:
Attend a required one-week training to prepare for a successful summer
Engage as a team member helping out at Family Fun Nights and camp-wide activities
Assist counselors in camper groups, running activities, and leading games
Shadow leadership roles in different departments to learn the ins and outs of camp
Develop strong, meaningful relationships with adult counselors, peers, and campers
Regular meetings with their CIT Director to receive guidance, support, and feedback through a formal coaching card
End-of-Summer field trip to celebrate their hard work
Application Process:
- Complete and submit a CIT Program Application
- Attend an in-person guardian and teen information session
- Formally register online once accepted into the program
- Commit to a one-week training (6/24 - 6/28 OR 7/1 - 7/5)
- Commit to at least four of the remaining eight weeks
Questions?
Camp Director, Steve Lockney, slockney@metrowestymca.org 508-435-9345 x132