Teen Programs

Teen Programs

We offer three different kinds of teen programs for youth ages 12-18. 

• Become a Camper and study the natural world at a new level

• Become a Teen Mentor (or CIT) through our Teen Leadership Training Program

• Become a Work Crew volunteer and learn what it takes to make the program work from behind the scenes
  

Once a camper turns 12, they are ready to choose the track that best fits their interests. This allows them to decide whether they would like to learn and develop as naturalists,  advance themselves as leaders in the camp community, or develop their professional skills behind the scenes. Each track is designed to help teens build success in their areas of interest. Each track will lead to its own challenges and rewards. Individual teens may choose to try different tracks on different weeks. 

Teen Leadership Training Program:

Piedmont Wildlife Center’s Teen Leadership program offers an opportunity for area teens to develop leadership skills. Teens involved in this program will assist in the leadership of our camp community under the direct mentoring of lead naturalists. Students who are interested in this track can apply to become CITs (Counselors In Training). If selected, they will work alongside the counselors and serve as role models in the camp setting.

Students apply in writing and are accepted into the program by the program coordinator. If they are new to the camp community, we will arrange a meeting with them to assess their capability to serve as role models for the younger children.  Once accepted, they will attend a team building training with the adult staff and they will receive a handbook before the beginning of the program. At that point, the teens will move through three levels of leadership. Each teen will advance through these the levels of leadership in their own time. Individuals must spend at least two weeks at one level before being eligible for promotion to the next level. In most cases, this complete process from camper to Level Three CIT will take a number of years.  In order to pass to the next level, a CIT must be nominated for promotion by an adult staff member and then the entire program staff must reach consensus that they are ready to be promoted.  This multi-tiered mentoring approach provides opportunity for advancement, in-depth reflection on what it means to be a leader, and solid training in the arts of teaching and learning.

Teen Leadership Training Program Level One.   At level one, students pay a small fee ($50/week) to the program and they are considered upper level campers. They will each be matched with a lead counselor who will mentor them and show them how to serve as role models for the camp community.  They will be coached to lead songs, stories and games, hikes, and other activities.  They will help teach younger students the skills and awareness necessary to study field natural history and wildlife conservation.  They will have opportunities to lead through one on one coaching and facilitating group experiences.

Teen Leadership Training Program Level Two. Level Two teens demonstrate a deeper understanding of the power and responsibility of being a role model. They show enthusiasm for learning and for being a part of the community.  They see areas where their leadership can help affect the community in positive ways and they take initiative.  They address issues that they see within the community without prompting.  They understand and proudly share elements of the camp culture that they know.  They are eager to learn more about nature and they role model the knowledge and capability that they have gained, providing motivation for the younger students. They step up into responsibility with a positive attitude.  They remember  and hold themselves accountable for basic responsibilities such as doing head counts without reminding.  They also  show a willingness to take on additional tasks as they arise from day to day. Level two teens come to the program for free after a preliminary background check.  They are considered volunteer staff.

Teen Leadership Training Program Level Three. Level Three teens are given a stipend ($50-100/week) and are considered staff members. They are experienced coaches who look for ways to encourage both the younger students and their peers.They may facilitate activities with groups of younger students independently. They understand the foundations of building camp culture from the inside out.  They participate in weekly planning sessions and daily meetings with the rest of the staff.  They come up with ideas for activities that they would like to lead and they see those ideas through from start to finish. They participate in the full staff training.

To join the Teen Leadership Training Program for the first time, you must apply in writing.  Send us a letter along with a registration form indicating which weeks you would like to come.  The letter should describe why you are interested in becoming a CIT. For CITs who have not been a part of the camp program before, we may also ask that they come to meet with us after we have received the letter to see if it is a good match. CITs remain with the camp program from 8:30am-4:30pm but they can come in as early as 8am and leave as late as 5:30.  The registration fee for first level CITs is $50/week.

Application Deadline for Involvement in Teen Leadership Training Program: May 25th, 2010
Teen Leaders and Staff leaders initial training: June 10th-12th 2010
First Date of Summer Camp: June 14th, 2010
Last Date of Summer Camp: August 20th, 2010
Fall, Winter and Spring Camp dates: TBD based on School Schedules.

Work Crew (High School Internships):
High School Interns work directly with the Camp Director and Wildlife Center staff.  In the summer, the team of High School Interns serves as a support system for the camp community. They do tasks of all kinds, including animal care, office tasks, general organization, maintenance  and wildlife conservation projects.  Some work will be done independently, so High school interns must be dependable and self motivated!  We can take High School interns at any time of year to work on special projects. It is a great opportunity to develop professional experience, serve others, be active in a collaborative community, and be outdoors. The high school interns are an integral part of the summer camp program.