Girl Scouts River Valleys offers one-, two-, and three-week summer camp sessions focused entirely on prepping girls entering grades 10 through 12 next fall to be future camp counselors and above all, future leaders. The application process and offerings have changed this year, so please read on for details.
Program Level
Counselor-in-Training I (CIT I)
- Duration: 6 days, 5 nights,
+ pre-camp training retreat - Prerequisites: None
- Fall 2021 Grades: 10-12
- Session Category:
- Member Price: $475
- Non-Member Price: $570
Share your love of Girl Scout Camp with younger girls and learn the skills you need to become a camp staff member! Through Counselor-in-Training I (CIT I), you’ll take on leadership roles at camp and help lead activities alongside camp counselors, offer input, and gain valuable leadership and career skills. You will support counselors with their groups and facilitate amazing and memorable experiences for campers. Attendance at pre-camp training in April or May to prepare for their shadow weeks at camp is required.
Session Dates & Locations
- Jun 20 – Jun 25, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Jun 27 – Jul 2, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Jul 4 – Jul 9, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Jul 11 – Jul 16, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Jul 18 – Jul 23, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Jul 25 – Jul 30, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Aug 1 – Aug 6, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Aug 8 – Aug 13, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Aug 15 – Aug 20, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Aug 22 – Aug 27, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Jul 12 – Jul 16, Camp Edith Mayo (Day Camp)
- Jul 19 – Jul 23, Camp Edith Mayo (Day Camp)
Counselor-in-Training II (CIT II)
- Duration: 13 days, 12 nights,
+ pre-camp training retreat - Prerequisites: None
- Fall 2021 Grades: 11-12
- Session Category:
- Member Price: $575
- Non-Member Price: $690
This two-week session is the next step in the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program. Building on your previous CIT I experience, you’ll take part in intensive leadership skills training, shadow camp staff members, and lead activities on your own. Build your skills in behavior management, effective communication, decision making, and conflict resolution. Serving as a role model for our other campers, you spend more time with camp counselors, planning and delivering programs. Attendance at pre-camp training in April or May to prepare for their shadow weeks at camp is required.
Session Dates & Locations
- Jun 20 – Jul 2, Camp Lakamaga (Resident Camp)
- Jul 11 – Jul 23, Camp Lakamaga (Resident Camp)
- Jul 25 – Aug 6, Camp Lakamaga (Resident Camp)
- Aug 8 – Aug 20, Camp Lakamaga (Resident Camp)
- Jun 20 – Jul 2, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Jul 4 – Jul 16, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Jul 18 – Jul 30, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Aug 1 – Aug 13, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Jul 12 – Jul 23, Camp Edith Mayo (Day Camp)
Counselor-in-Training III (CIT III)
This three-week session is the final level in the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program.
Session Dates & Locations
- Jun 20 – Jul 9, Camp Lakamaga (Resident Camp)
- Jul 11 – Jul 30, Camp Lakamaga (Resident Camp)
- Aug 1 – Aug 20, Camp Lakamaga (Resident Camp)
- Jun 20 – Jul 9, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Jul 18 – Aug 6, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Aug 8 – Aug 27, Camp Elk River (Resident Camp)
- Duration: 20 days, 19 nights
+ pre-camp training retreat - Prerequisites: Based on session track (See session descriptions below)
- Fall 2021 Grades: 12
- Member Price: $575
- Non-Member Price: $690
- Session Category:
Riding
Prerequisites: Completion of CIT II (or equivalent program) and comfort around horses.
Spend the summer teaching younger girls about your favorite topic—horses! Learn specifics of teaching barn science, how to care for horses, and riding skills. Shadow barn staff, help with barn and horse care, share your horse knowledge with younger girls, and lead with campers during other activities. This track is great for Counselors-in-Training who aspire to be riding counselors or riding specialists at camp. Attendance at pre-camp training in April or May to prepare for their shadow weeks at camp is required.
Wilderness Trip
Prerequisites: Completion of CIT II (or equivalent program) and remote trip experience.
Learn to teach outdoor skills and minimal impact camping while sharing your passion for wilderness trips with younger girls! You’ll help camp staff and leaders prepare for trips and accompany a group out on trail. This track is great for Counselors-in-Training who aspiring to be wilderness trip counselors and specialists at camp. Attendance at pre-camp training in April or May to prepare for their shadow weeks at camp is required.
Program
Prerequisites: Completion of CIT II (or equivalent program) and interest in a wide variety of camp activities.
If you love all that camp has to offer, this is the track for you. You’ll focus on honing your counselor skills, working closely with campers each week. Assist with and lead activities like archery, art, low ropes, and more! You’ll work closely with several counselors and have a chance to shadow specialists. This track is great for Counselors-in-Training who aspire to be program counselors, outdoor activity specialists, or art specialists at camp. Attendance at pre-camp training in April or May to prepare for their shadow weeks at camp is required.
Waterfront
Prerequisites: Completion of CIT II (or equivalent program) and comfortable with boating and swimming activities.
If you love the lake and want to share your love of water activities with campers, this is the track for you. You’ll spend most of your time at the waterfront, both working with campers and learning the ins-and-outs of running the waterfront. Promote fun and safety, lead waterfront programming alongside our lifeguards, and learn more about being a lifeguard at camp. This track is great for Counselors-in-Training who aspire to be waterfront specialists at camp. Attendance at pre-camp training in April or May to prepare for their shadow weeks at camp is required.
Kitchen
Prerequisites: Completion of CIT II (or equivalent program) and comfortable with boating and swimming activities.
Get ready to contribute to one of the most important parts of a successful camper’s experience: meals! You’ll spend most of your time in the kitchen and dining hall, learning from our cooks and helping campers get the nutrition they need to thrive. Learn about how the camp kitchen runs, prepare healthy, balanced meals, hone your time management skills, and maintain a clean and safe environment. This is the perfect track for an aspiring chef or restaurant manager! This track is great for Counselors-in-Training who aspire to be kitchen assistants and cooks at camp. Attendance at pre-camp training in April or May to prepare for their shadow weeks at camp is required.
Application & Registration Process
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Find a Session That Fits
Browse each leadership program level and find a camp location and dates that fit your summer schedule.
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Apply for a Spot
To apply for your preferred session and dates complete the online Leadership Camp Application before February 1.
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Hold Tight
Your application will be reviewed by the Girl Scouts River Valleys Camp Directors. You will receive an email by February 6 with your application status, and if accepted, your start date and camp location.
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Registration
If accepted, Girl Scouts River Valleys will register you in mid-March. The fee will be based on your CIT level and your membership status. You will receive a session confirmation email and will be invoiced your registration fee.
All Session Dates & Locations
| Leadership Session | Fall 2021 Grade | Session Location | Session Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Counselor in Training I | 10-12 | Camp Lakamaga | Jun 20 – Jun 25 Jun 27 – Jul 2 Jul 4 – Jul 9 Jul 11 – Jul 16 Jul 18 – Jul 23 Jul 25 – Jul 30 Aug 1 – Aug 6 Aug 8 – Aug 13 Aug 15 – Aug 20 Aug 22 – Aug 27 |
| 10-12 | Camp Elk River | Jun 20 – Jun 25 Jun 27 – Jul 2 Jul 4 – Jul 9 Jul 11 – Jul 16 Jul 18 – Jul 23 Jul 25 – Jul 30 Aug 1 – Aug 6 Aug 8 – Aug 13 Aug 15 – Aug 20 Aug 22 – Aug 27 |
|
| 10-12 | Camp Edith Mayo | Jul 12 – Jul 16 Jul 19 – Jul 23 |
|
| Counselor in Training II | 11-12 | Camp Lakamaga | Jun 20 – Jul 2 Jul 11 – Jul 23 Jul 25 – Aug 6 Aug 8 – Aug 20 |
| 11-12 | Camp Elk River | Jun 20 – Jul 2 Jul 4 – Jul 16 Jul 18 – Jul 30 Aug 1 – Aug 13 |
|
| 11-12 | Camp Edith Mayo | Jul 12 – Jul 23 | |
| Counselor in Training III | 12 | Camp Lakamaga | Jun 20 – Jul 9 Jul 11 – Jul 30 Aug 1 – Aug 20 |
| 12 | Camp Elk River | Jun 20 – Jul 9 Jul 18 – Aug 6 Aug 8 – Aug 27 |
Program FAQs
- Process: The application will now close on February 1 and all applicants will be notified of their status on February 6.
- Offerings: To accommodate additional CITs, we have changed the offerings to include more session dates. Instead of attending a one-week training at camp and then shadowing for the other weeks, CITs will now attend a pre-camp training retreat before summer camp begins, and start shadowing right away once they arrive to camp for their session in the summer. Each CIT level has a different number of shadowing weeks. CIT I’s will shadow for one week, CIT II’s will shadow for two weeks, and CIT III’s will shadow for three weeks. CIT sessions are available at Lakamaga, Elk River, and Edith Mayo throughout the summer.
We are now offering additional tracks for the third level of leadership sessions! In addition to the horse riding and wilderness trip track (formerly Wrangler-in-Training and Wilderness-Guide-in-Training), we’ve added tracks for Counselors-in-Training looking to specialize in Program, Waterfront, and Kitchen Assistance. See descriptions for details and be sure to pick the track that suits your interests!
After you are accepted and registered for your summer session, you will sign up for one of two training dates the weekend of April 30 or the weekend of May 21. At this training retreat, you and other Counselors-in-Training will learn everything you need to know for your shadow session.
You’ll attend sessions about working with campers, teaching effectively, being a positive camp community member, and more. You’ll also connect with other Counselors-in-Training and get a taste of camp before summer! After training is complete, you’ll be ready to jump right into your shadow session later in the summer. While we intend to hold this training retreat in-person at Camp Elk River, it may be held virtually for the safety of our staff and Counselors-in-Training.
Who can apply for leadership sessions?
Girls entering grades 10-12 in fall 2021.
Is financial assistance available for these leadership sessions?
Yes, you can apply for financial assistance just like you would for any other camp session through the online Financial Assistance Application When asked what you are requesting assistance for, select “Council-led Resident Camp.” Please wait until you have received your approval and session confirmation email before requesting financial assistance.
What happens once your application is accepted?
Getting accepted means your spot in a leadership session is held and you do NOT need to participate in online Camp registration in February. You will receive a confirmation email with your session information and next steps, if accepted. Girl Scouts River Valleys will register you for one of the top two sessions selected on the online application in mid-March.
What if you are not accepted or sessions are full?
You will be notified of your application status by February 6. If your application is not accepted or sessions are full you are welcome to browse our other available camp sessions.
What if I need to cancel?
Girl Scouts River Valleys Camp & Cancellation Policies apply to all leadership camp sessions. Transfer requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis and only if alternative spots are available.
Does the application ever close?
The application will be open from January 5 to February 1, 2021.
