Posted by Ryan Frazer, CIT/Leadership Program Director at Peconic Dunes 4-H Camp, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County
This
offseason we were really excited to have identified an obvious connection
between our Leadership Program (8 – 15 year olds) and our CIT program (16 year
olds). The goals of both programs have been to develop skills in young people
that would help them to be leaders in their respective communities. So why not
run them under the same department and program director?!?
Ryan
Frazer, CIT/Leadership Program Director and 7-year Peconic Dunes veteran was excited by the
opportunity to begin working with the younger campers. “We are engaged in
making these two programs reflect on one another in a way that allows the leadership
program to be a complement to the learning opportunities afforded to our
counselors-in-training in our intensive 4 week training program when campers
graduate from camp at the age of 15,” Ryan said in one breath. Ryan also added that 16 former CITs will be joining our team this year, with the oldest graduates finishing the program in 2009.
The
CIT Program remains relatively the same with a small infusion of new
activities, like camping skills, Leadership apprenticeship, and skits to kick
off Vespers. The Leadership Program will see some new games and a greater CIT
presence. The CITs who apprentice at Leadership will be there to support the
instructors and to practice some of the active listening and group facilitation
skills they learn during Peer Mediation Training.
Ryan with 2012 CITs...several of whom are 2013 Junior Counselors |
Some
of the other faces we will see leading these programs this year are Chelsea
Duffy, the newly established CIT Programming Coordinator, and our leadership
instructors, Adam Higgins and Kayleigh Hackett. All of these individuals
possess unique skills and experience that will make this department one to
marvel at.
As a
team we are all excited for the opportunity to work with the future leaders of
our global community. This is going to be an activity filled summer that will
bring new opportunity and adventure to create memories for a lifetime. See you
this summer!