Staff Development Program

WHAT IS THE STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM?

Mission:

To provide teens with the opportunity to work on leadership skills and develop an understanding of what it takes to become a leader in a resident camp setting.

Program Summary:

The program is a comprehensive 3-year service learning and leadership experience for adolescents. The Staff Development Program provides positive, challenging experiences in which teens are called upon to act as leaders while maturing and expanding their individual development. The program provides tools that enable participants to more effectively work in teams and influence others toward a common goal.

The Staff Development Program (SDP) is designed for adolescents who are dedicated to camp, love working with kids, and have a lot of energy to give. The program teaches more than just how to be a great camp counselor; the program promotes leadership development.  Our leadership program focuses on building determined, thoughtful, resourceful, and caring individuals. As they move through our program, it is our intention to help them become respectable, honest, positive, and compassionate leaders as they travel on the road of life.

Program Levels:

The program consists of three different levels, each requiring the completion of the level below.  Everyone must start at the CIT level regardless of age. The applicant must be 15-years-old by June 20th to apply for the CIT level. Successful completion may result in a role on the PLYC staff, but the primary purpose of the program is the development of leadership skills.

Camper In Training (CIT); 1 Week for $TBD for 2025

Leader In Training (LIT); 2 Weeks for $TBD for 2025

Assistant Counselor (AC); 3 Weeks at no cost

Advancement: We want the SDPs to focus on their personal growth when they are in the program, but we also acknowledge that this program is a competitive one. SDPs will be compared with one another based on their abilities in all areas at camp, and this will decide whether or not they will be accepted back the next year. This goes for those who complete the program as well. Even if participants complete all three levels of the program, it does not guarantee them a spot on staff.

Retreats: TBD for 2025

Applications:

2025 SDP Application will be available in September