Ages 15-17 // Co-ed Program

Ages 15-17

Co-ed Program

The LIT (Leaders In Training) program at Pioneer Camp has been successfully training and developing young leaders for over 40 years. This co-ed leadership development program provides a personalized, innovative mix of formal and hands-on learning experiences.

Program Options for 2020 & 2021

We will be offering three LIT options for the 2020-2021 camp season. Each program will have limited enrolment of 40 participants. LIT Hybrid will be offered during the winter/spring of 2021 with placement in the summer. LIT 1 and LIT 2 will be offered during the summer of 2021 with both teaching sessions and placement during the summer. All LIT programs are for youth ages 15-17 and who have completed Grade 10.

LIT Hybrid

NEW! This Hybrid LIT program combines online training, connections and interactions with the in-person camp experience. The LIT Hybrid will be available first to the 2020 LITs who were accepted, but not able to attend camp this past summer.

This teaching component will run January 2021-July 2021. With regular online Bible Studies and gatherings at camp where LITs will get to socialize and have in-person sessions and instruction. July 4-10 is the final week of teaching at camp.

Placement for the LIT Hybrid program will be in the summer (July 11-17). LITs will be placed at Boys Camp, Girls Camp or Adventure camp to practice and experience all the joy of camp!

LIT 1

Summer teaching and placement

Teaching dates: July 11 to 24
Placement dates: July 25 to Aug 7 or Aug 8 to 21

LIT 2

Summer teaching and placement

Teaching Dates: July 25 to August 7
Placement Dates: Aug 8 to August 21

LIT Program Outline:

Teaching Component

The teaching component of the program is dedicated to learning and developing leadership through a variety of group sessions and experiences. Some features include: one to one coaching, leading various program elements and hot topic conversations. The LIT’s will be engaging together with staff around how Jesus led in scripture and is working in their life today. During this time, campers develop close mentoring relationships with experienced leaders who will provide them with valuable feedback, constructive debriefing and close personal support to help LIT’s identify and develop their strengths and build the skills they need to be extraordinary leaders.

Placement Component

After the teaching sessions LIT’s will go on placement! This is where they put their skills and training to the test by becoming a member of one of our Pioneer Camp staff teams. The LIT’s will live in a chalet and partner with a senior leader to lead a group of campers at Girls Camp, Boys Camp or Adventure Camp. LIT graduates may also be placed in one of our special needs programs to support either children or adults with special needs.

Program Components

Leadership 101's

Growing in your understanding of servant leadership and developing skills and strategies to lead effectively is at the core of LIT. Our interactive training style will help you learn about yourself and grow in your understanding of teamwork, group dynamics and managing challenging behaviour. You will be trained in child and youth development, how to engage and draw people in from off the sidelines, and restorative practices. There is also an emphasis on leading in a camp context and how to navigate a chalet full of kids.

Small Group Discussions

This is a chance for you to lead your small group in a discussion on a relevant topic like role of character in leadership and what is the role of suffering in Christian leadership. These discussions will help you learn valuable facilitation skills, giving each person a better understanding of issues that you encounter in the world.

One on Ones

This is a chance for staff to spend time with you, talking about life and what you are experiencing at LIT. The LIT staff will be there to support, encourage and challenge you as you grow in your faith and as a leader.

Bible Study

At Pioneer Camp we believe we are deeply known by Jesus and can get to know Him deeply, too! We believe we should follow Jesus’ teaching to love God and love our neighbours, so we spend time looking at what the Bible can teach us about how to know God better and how we should live. These sessions are a foundational part of the Leaders In Training Program.

Games & Program

Games are a regular part of our time at LIT, because at camp we love having fun! Not only is it a chance to have a good time, it is also an opportunity for you and your small group to practice running games in preparation for your placement with the other staff teams.

Activities

As a camp leader you will be helping teach activities such as mountain biking, sailing, or sports to campers. Time will be spent during LIT to participate in these activities, learning how to teach them to others.

Program FAQ

I finished the online application. Does that mean I have a place reserved?

The online application is only the first step in the process so your place is not reserved. You must complete all paperwork, submit it to camp, and interview successfully. Your spots in specific placement option are not reserved until acceptance is confirmed to the program.

Where are Reference Forms?

I was accepted to LIT for the summer of 2020. What are my options?

We are extending priority registration to LITs who were not able to attend the LIT program in the summer of 2020. This means you have the first option of choosing any of the LIT programs. If you had an “accepted” status as of summer 2020, your application will be applied to your session of choice (you do not need to complete another application). There will be a date deadline to confirm your participation in a specific program, after that deadline, registration will be opened up to new applicants. (If you procrastinate to confirm your participation, even if you were accepted the program may fill up, we will not hold a spot for you). A deposit will be required upon selection of your session of preference. Balance will be due prior to the start date of the program. Instalment plans for LIT Hybrid will be considered, upon request.

When must I apply by?

Fill out the online application and references as soon as possible as your session preferences are given priority based on the date that all forms are submitted.

When will I find out if I have been accepted to the program or not?

Applicants invited to the interview stage will be notified within two weeks of their interview date regarding their acceptance. A place will not be reserved in a specific LIT placement option until you have been accepted to the program. Not all applicants will receive an interview but will be notified regardless.

The LIT Hybrid sounds amazing, can I sign up even though I didn’t fill out an application for summer 2020?

The LIT Hybrid will be first open to LITs who did not get to attend in the Summer of 2020. If there are spots left after the registration deadline, they will be available for new applicants to apply. A full application process including interview will be needed for new applicants.