THE CIT EXPERIENCE AT TAMAKWA

Tamakwa’s CIT program marks a pivotal step towards becoming a counsellor. It’s a transitional phase, infusing added responsibilities while still enjoying camp activities, canoe trips, and living in a camper cabin with friends. Here, campers experience accountability in a secure, growth-focused space. This is their opportunity to gain essential life skills in a safe and secure environment – all while having the summer of their lives. The CIT program is designed to empower, offering not just responsibilities, but a chance to learn, lead, and thrive.

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A JOURNEY OF PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

From teaching activities to participating in workshops, CITs glean insights and techniques from specialists in various fields. This hands-on experience lays the foundation for effective counselling, ensuring CITs not only learn but also contribute meaningfully to camp life. Alongside this, they actively engage in planning camp-wide events, instilling the cherished spirit of Tamakwa into every endeavour.

EMPOWERING TOMORROW'S LEADERS

The CIT program is more than a role; it’s a journey of personal discovery and skill-building. CITs relish abundant free time, forging deep bonds with peers while gaining a profound understanding of the Tamakwa style of counselling. Leadership skills flourish, instilling a sense of responsibility, independence, and accomplishment. Each CIT emerges from the program not only equipped with vital life skills but also with a newfound sense of purpose.

SUMMERS THAT SET YOU UP FOR SUCCESS

Within this transformative summer, CITs inhabit cabins independently, enjoying privileges that span from staffing canoe trips to staff rec. With access to special programs, intercamp competitions, and staff activities, CITs are integrated into the heart of camp life. These opportunities not only pave the way for potential staff positions but also offer a unique vantage point into the inner workings of Tamakwa, shaping them into future leaders of the camp community.

Tamakwa’s CIT program is the pinnacle of the camper experience, combining endless fun with unparalleled personal growth.

Serving as a bridge between camper and staff, this program offers a taste of the working world, all within a secure and nurturing environment.

CITS have the time of their lives while gaining vital life and job skills that will shape their futures at Tamakwa – and beyond.

ACHIEVING HIGH LEVEL AWARDS

At Tamakwa, we believe in expanding horizons and nurturing growth. The CIT program forms the bedrock for future leaders, emphasizing the capacity to instruct and oversee this extensive array of activities. Striving for high-level awards and securing the Bronze Cross Certification, pivotal for future staff roles, becomes a fulfilling pursuit during this transformative summer. As campers embark on this journey, they push for excellence, honing capabilities that extend beyond the boundaries of camp life. Mastering swimming, canoeing, or sailing, our campers aim high, demonstrating a commendable commitment to their chosen pursuits.

In areas without defined award standards, they actively participate, take leadership roles, and distinguish themselves through their dedication. This involves actively engaging in events like the Harvey Deutch Triathlon and Treasure Island/highway swims, tournaments, leagues, and inter-camp teams, and embarking on extended canoe tripping adventures lasting 10 days or more. Additionally, assisting Activity Leaders in organizing events and achieving notable awards showcases superior skills. In arts and drama, energetic participation, leadership, and collaboration with Activity Leaders in directing, planning, and presenting shows are key components of this accomplishment.

HIGH LEVEL AWARDS

Attaining a high level of proficiency is a significant achievement in any activity. This denotes a mastery that goes above and beyond the ordinary, showcasing a camper’s dedication and skill. Examples include:

  • Swimming: Achieving Bronze Medallion/Cross, Instructors, or National Lifeguard certification.
  • Canoeing: Earning the A or Courier de Bois, or becoming a Voyageur Canoeist.
  • Sailing: Demonstrating excellence as a First Class Skipper.
  • Windsurfing: Mastering Force 4 & 5 techniques.
  • Kayaking: Reaching a skill level of Yaker 4 or higher.
  • Going on a long canoe trip

MID LEVEL AWARDS

These awards signify a commendable level of proficiency, placing campers just below the highest echelon of skill. Campers may be actively working towards these achievements or have already made significant progress in various activities:

  • Swimming: Pursuing or having attained Lifesaving Level 6.
  • Canoeing: Being a member of the Voyageur class (working towards a high level award) and holding a B Canoeist certification.
  • Sailing: Demonstrating prowess as a Second Class Skipper.
  • Windsurfing: Navigating the waters with Force 3 proficiency.
  • Kayaking: Reaching a skill level of Yaker 2 or 3.

APPLY FOR YOUR CIT SUMMER

Ready to embark on this exciting new adventure?

Take charge of your CIT journey by filling out the online application now!

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While parents will still receive important updates, the CIT experience is an opportunity for our campers to experience greater independence – and hat includes the application process. This process also helps prepare our campers for future endeavours, where applying for roles becomes a significant step.

That’s why we encourage all our CITs to complete their applications independently – that means no assistance from mom, dad, your sister in college, the dog, or the ghost of Sam McGee.

Junior Tamakwan FAQS

Got questions? We have answers.

If you have any questions you didn’t see answered in our FAQ, don’t hesitate to reach out.

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JT is Tamakwa shorthand for Junior Tamakwan, campers ages 7-9.

These campers are split into two sections: The boys are known as Foresters, and the girls are called Trailblazers.

Having mastered new skills, lived with a tight-knit cabin group, and experienced all the fun that camp has to offer, JTs often leave with a profound sense of accomplishment and a love of camp life.

We recognize that sending 7-9 year olds off to overnight camp – often for the very first time – can be difficult for parents, too. Our dedicated administrative staff, many of whom are career educators and people with years of experience working with children, will partner with parents to ensure that the entire family – campers and parents – adjust to overnight camp life.

Everyone lives in cabins, substantial wood cottages with electricity and bathrooms. Counsellors live in the cabins with the campers.

counsellors who are handpicked for their patience, enthusiasm, and maturity -key components necessary to meet the unique needs of our youngest campers.

While communication looks a little different at camp (we have a no cell phone policy, and access to the internet is pretty limited), we’re always only a phone call away.

While we welcome your calls anytime, our JT Directors will reach out to parents of each JT within the first few days of camp to provide an update on how their child has been settling in.

Additional supervision and attention are provided to these campers in order for them to participate in various camp programs. In some situations, parallel programs are developed and run alongside traditional camp programs in order for our JTs to “taste” all that camp has to offer.

In order for our JTs to feel challenged and successful, independent, confident, and supported, all of our activities include instructional “levels” specifically geared towards this young group of campers.

This provides our JTs with a developmentally appropriate introduction to all of our activities, and many are able to move far beyond these initial stages in a variety of activities that might pique an individual’s interest.

If your child isn’t quite ready for the 2 week session, we offer a one-day teaser and three-day mini session.