What are the responsibilities and job description for the Counselor in Training (C.I.T.) position at Garden State Equality?
Welcome to Garden State Equality’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Youth Leadership Initiative: The Changemakers CIT Program! Thank you for your interest in our CIT program! This is the second summer we have the program and just the third summer of Changemakers as a whole! Despite Changemakers being a one-time-only program to allow other students across New Jersey to experience the magic of camp, we are so grateful that students like you want to come back, learn more skills, and give back to the program. This program will take your leadership skills to the next level and will challenge you to evolve as a social justice advocate!
Your experience as campers in Gen 1/Gen 2 of Changemakers will have such a positive impact on Generation 3, and you are setting the standard for all of the future CIT’s to come! As much as we would love to have everyone back
A Counselor-in-Training works under the supervision of the Senior Counselors and Senior Leadership Team. CITs will be shadowing Counselors and learning leadership skills related to facilitating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programming. As experienced Changemakers, CITs have the unique opportunity to continue evolving as social justice advocates while paying it forward to the new summer cohort and beyond. Camp will run from August 17th, 2025 through August 27th, 2025. CITs will start on August 16th, 2025 through August 27th, 2025.
Below is a list of some essential functions of a CIT during our program:
- Implement camp activities as per the program design.
- Remain with the assigned group of campers, if you are assigned to be with one for an activity, and keep a visual track of all individuals.
- Report any concerning behavior, problems, and safety issues to Natalie/Hime/Justine-whoever you see first.
- Practice effective communication between peers, staff, and campers.
- Remember, you are no longer a camper, and while we all are here to have fun, we are also in a position to serve as leaders, and role models. Think about how you were impacted by one of your counselors last year. How could you become one of those people for our campers this year?
- Maintain work rules and regulations as put forward by both Garden State Equality and Fairview Lake.
- Participate with campers during workshops, discussions, and activities.
- Implements ongoing safety checks to assure a healthy and safe camp environment. Implements emergency procedures when necessary.
- Set up, organize, and cleans up the camp area at the beginning and end of each activity/program.
- Complete additional duties as assigned.
PAYMENT/ROOM & BOARD:
- All CITs will receive a stipend for a 13-day commitment. This includes 11 days of camp and 2 additional days of training. Training days may not be full days.
- CITs will be provided lodging for the duration of the camp program.
- CITs will be provided with all meals and snacks for the duration of the program.
- CITs will receive daily breaks provided throughout the session.
- CITs will receive payment after the duration of the summer camp program.
Important note:
- CITs are not considered staff members. CITs are Counselors-in-Training who will be participating in regular camp activities with additional leadership opportunities than the rest of the campers.
- CITs will not have access to their cellphones for the majority of the time.
- CITs are role models for campers and must conduct themselves as leaders.
- All CIT applicants may be asked to participate in group interviews. Due to the high amount of interest for this program, we unfortunately cannot accept all applicants.