LEADERSHIP - YMCA of Greater Toronto

Leaders in Training (LIT)(14 years old)This program provides an opportunity for you tofurther explore your leadership skills and potential.Through interactive learning sessions and hands-onexperience, you’ll learn about group dynamics, leadershipstyles, working with children, and planning fun andcreative programs.You’ll work toward a short counselling placementand implementing a camp-wide theme day for ourCedar Glen day camp participants. Additionally, you’llparticipate in a number of traditional Cedar Glenprogram activities (high ropes, low ropes, mountainbiking, campfires, etc.) as well as a four-day, threenightcanoe trip in Muskoka, Ontario.The LIT canoe trip will depart from the YMCA CampPine Crest docks and explore the Musquash River,Gibson River or Severn River. You’ll have the opportunityto help navigate and make decisions regarding whento stop for breaks and where to set up your camp site.Short portages around various rapids will challenge yourgroup and help break up the paddling day. After the trip,YMCA staff will pick you up at the end of the route.Goals and objectives• To be positive role models in the camp community• To contribute effectively to the LIT group• To learn about personal strengths and challenges ina group setting• To be introduced to various styles and theories ofleadership• To plan and implement a variety of programs foryounger campers, including a day camp theme day• To complete a short placement/job shadowingexperience in Cedar Glen’s day campCounsellor in Training (CIT)(15 to 16 years old)This program is designed to help you gain the skillsand experience required to become a successful campstaff member in the future. Learning sessions willfocus on working with children: creative programming,behaviour management, safe supervision, programleadership and more. You’ll also earn your StandardFirst Aid certification (a two-day, 16-hour course). Allof this learning will be put into practice as you worktoward planning and running a variety of day campprograms for younger campers, as well as completinga week-long placement in our day camp program.In addition, you’ll participate in workshop sessionsfocused around resume building and job interview skills.Upon completion of the CIT program, we encourageyou to have a one-on-one interview with our campdirector. Successful candidates will be placed in aYMCA of Greater Toronto day camp program of theirchoice. You can check out all the options atymcagta.org/daycamps. Volunteer hours earnedduring this experience can be used toward requiredhigh school volunteer hours.You’ll also participate in a five-day, four-night canoetrip in Muskoka, Ontario. This trip will help developyour potential as leaders. With the help of YMCA staff,you’ll learn how to read the weather, navigate throughGeorgian Bay’s famous islands and make decisions inthe group’s best interest. Throughout your trip, variousleadership opportunities will help for you develop yourown leadership styleNote: The YMCA of Greater Toronto requires camp staffturn 17 years old during their first summer of work. Ifyou complete the CIT program while you are 15, youwill be eligible for a junior counsellor position at oneof our many 2013 day camp programs around the cityupon the completion of a successful interview.Goals and objectives• To be positive role models in the camp community• To contribute effectively to the CIT group• To learn about personal strengths and challenges ina group setting• To learn about working with and leading children• To complete a Standard First Aid certification• To plan and implement a variety of programs forday camp participants• To complete a week-long placement in our daycamp program• To build a resume and participate in a mock interview• To complete 40 hours of community serviceTypical Day at YMCA Cedar Glen forLeadership ParticipantsEach day at Cedar Glen will bring new and excitingchallenges to build your leadership skills. Here’sa sample of what a typical day will look like — butremember that many days are not typical!• 7:15 a.m. – rise and shine• 7:30 – breakfast• 8:15 – flag raising and morning circle• 8:30 – cabin clean• 9:00 – leadership session• 10:30 – program time! (high ropes, climbing wall,mountain biking etc.)• 12:00 p.m. – lunch• 12:45 – rest hour• 2:00 – day camp placement• 4:00 – swimming• 5:00 – dinner• 6:00 – journaling/reflection time• 6:30 – evening program• 8:00 – campfire• 10:00 – free time• 11:00 – quiet time/lights out