For some campers, the summer they turn 16 could be the last one at camp. At Lakota, we treat this pivotal summer like it’s the most important one. The Counselor In Training program (CIT) is designed to be a bridge: from the freedom of being a camper to the responsibility of being the adult in the room. It’s a summer that changes how 16-year-olds see themselves, and how others see them too.
The CIT program is the right fit for teens who are ready to grow, take on real responsibility, and leave camp with something more than memories; our CIT campers leave the summer with skills that will serve them as they continue their high school years.
CITs live in a community of their peers, a cabin of fellow 16-year-olds who are all navigating the same exciting, challenging transition. They continue to enjoy the full camp experience while simultaneously stepping into a leadership role that’s genuinely demanding in the best way.
Throughout the summer, CITs move from participating in activities to helping lead them. They work alongside our staff, practice teaching skills to younger campers, and take on increasing levels of responsibility as the season progresses. Every day offers a new chance to grow in communication, in organization, in patience, and in confidence.
The skills our CITs develop over the summer aren’t just camp-specific. They’re life skills like leadership, accountability, clear communication, adaptability, and character. These are all the things employers, colleges, and communities value, and they’re exactly what we build.
Our CIT program is intentional. We don’t just hand 16-year-olds a whistle and hope for the best. We give them real context, real feedback, and real experience in a supervised, supportive environment where it’s safe to learn what it means to be a leader.
One of the most meaningful parts of the CIT experience is who you go through it with. The CIT cabin creates a tight-knit cohort of young leaders who challenge and support each other all summer long. The friendships formed here tend to be among the deepest of any Lakota experience, built not just on shared fun, but on shared growth.
And with our no-screens campus policy, that community has the space to form without distraction. CITs are fully present with their campers, their peers, and themselves.
By the end of the summer, our CITs have a clear sense of what they’re capable of. Many go on to return to Lakota as full counselors. Others take what they’ve learned into school leadership roles, part-time jobs, college applications, and beyond. The confidence, maturity, and real-world skills they gain during their CIT summer are the kind that show up everywhere.
At Camp Lakota we have combined a traditional summer camp experience with the excitement of a “Teen Tour” by including an 8 day West Coast trip to California, Las Vegas, & Arizona! Trip Highlights include: San Diego Zoo, Surf Lessons, Sedona Jeep Tour, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Hike through Zion National Park, Stratosphere Las Vegas, Camp Grounds, and Hotel Accommodations (Note: **Air Fare not included**). Contact us if you’re interested in learning more about this additional opportunity.
We can’t wait to welcome your teenager to the Camp Lakota family. Contact us to get all your questions answered, or start the enrollment process today!
A Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program is the bridge between being a camper and becoming a counselor. At Camp Lakota, CITs assist counselors with their bunks, mentor younger campers, participate in leadership development, and experience a unique hybrid summer; they’re still fully part of the camp community, but with real responsibility and a counselor-level perspective on how camp works.
Yes! The CIT program is designed specifically for 16-year-olds who are ready for the next level of challenge and purpose. It includes the CIT West Coast Trip as a capstone experience, making it one of the most distinctive offerings in the Lakota program ladder. For teens who’ve grown up at Lakota, the CIT year is often described as their most meaningful summer.
CITs work alongside experienced counselors, helping manage bunk routines, facilitating activities, and serving as mentors for younger campers, particularly the Braves and Hawks divisions. They receive guidance from senior staff throughout, and the experience is structured to be genuinely educational in leadership, communication, and responsibility.
The CIT program is the first step. After completing the program at 16, eligible CITs can move into full counselor positions in subsequent summers, joining the college-age staff who live in the bunks and lead the camp experience. Many of Camp Lakota’s counselors were once Braves themselves, which reflects how deep the Lakota family tradition runs. Learn more about working at Camp Lakota.
The CIT packing list is similar to the standard camper list, but also includes items suited to a leadership role, like professional-casual clothing for any leadership sessions. Our What to Pack page covers the full breakdown.