The Counselor-In-Training (CIT), Junior Counselor (JC) and Assistant Counselor (AC) programs at Sandy Hill are designed to introduce interested high-schoolers to the exciting, challenging, and rewarding world of being a camp counselor.
We are looking for folks who are motivated to work with children, are mature enough to put the needs of their campers above their own, and are positive role models for our campers.
Senior Staff are the counselors who are directly responsible for campers and activities. CITs, JCs and ACs are always in an "assistant" role to a member of the Senior Staff.
Counselor-In-Training (CIT) Program
If you are interested in being a camp counselor someday, this is an opportunity you don't want to miss! The program is open to campers who have completed 9th or 10th grade and have attended at least one week of camp at Sandy Hill in the past. CITs attend morning workshops covering topics included in Sandy Hills regular staff training. In the afternoon and evening, CITs spend time staffing recreation areas and getting to know their campers. They "shadow" senior counselors, assist with teaching activities to campers, attend a staff meeting, help prepare and serve some snacks, and get an insiders view of the details that go into the operation of Sandy Hill Camp. CITs also live in the cabin with the younger campers that they are helping.
The CIT program is a prerequisite to volunteering as a Junior Counselor at Sandy Hill. CITs attending other camp sessions in 2024 should do so before their week as a CIT.
Eligibility Summary:
Be interested in becoming a camp counselor and/or learning about working with children
Be ready to put the needs of your campers above your own and to be a positive role model for children
Currently be in 9th, 10th or 11th grade
Have completed or be registered for at least one traditional camp session at Sandy Hill before your CIT session (can be a session in 2024 or a prior year).
To sign up for a CIT session, use the online camper registration system, just like you registered for camp in previous years. See the Jr Staff FAQs section below for answers to Frequently Asked Questions as well.
Fast Facts for CITs:
Eligibility: Past camper who has finished 9th or 10th grade (age 15 or 16)
Selective: No
Costs: $950
Length: One-week (5 nights)
Sessions Offered: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8
How to apply: Online camper registration
Junior Counselor (JC) Program
The two-week, volunteer, selective JC program is the second step to being a counselor at Sandy Hill for those who have completed the CIT program. JCs live in a lodge with middle-school aged two-week campers for one week and live in a cabin with younger one-week campers. JCs spend their days shadowing full-time counselors, assisting with activities, helping with afternoon free-time and cabin activities, working around campus, helping to prepare and serve some meals in the kitchen, and getting to know the kids in their cabin. The application process for JCs is the same as the process to be on full-time staff. Go to the staff section of the website and apply online there.
Eligibility Summary
Have successfully completed a CIT session
Currently be in 10th or 11th grade
To apply to be a JC, read through the "Join our Staff" section of the website, and then click here to apply online. See the Jr Staff FAQs section below for answers to Frequently Asked Questions as well.
Fast Facts for JCs:
Eligibility: Past CITs who have finished 10th or 11th grade (age 16 or 17)
Selective: Yes
Costs/Pay: $0 - Volunteer
Length: Two back-to-back one-week sessions
Sessions Offered: 1&2, 3&4, 5&6 or 7&8
How to apply: Online staff application
Assistant Counselor (AC) Program
Assistant Counselors spend part of their day supporting the camp program (assisting in activity areas, helping in the camp store, etc); around 6-7 hours each day in food service including food preparation, serving, and cleanup; and part of their day participating in camp activities with the campers in their cabin (going to dances, talent shows, evening competitions, etc.).
ACs sleep in cabins or lodges as a third staff member. ACs are invited to attend as much of the staff training week as they are available. They are also eligible to join in to the specialty training week for lifeguard, ropes, sailing, and other specialized training as well provided that they have relevant background in one of these areas.
ACs are paid approximately $450 per camper-week and are eligible to stay at camp on weekends between sessions as well as attend the staff trips to NYC, Washington DC, the beach, etc.
Eligibility Summary:
Option 1)
Have successfully completed a JC session
Currently be in 11th grade
OR Option 2)
Currently be in 12th grade or have graduated from high school
To apply to be an AC, read through the "Join our Staff" section of the website, and then click here to apply online. See the Jr Staff FAQs section below for answers to Frequently Asked Questions as well.
Fast Facts for ACs:
Eligibility: Past JCs who have finished 11th grade -OR- not be a past JC and have finished 12th grade
Selective: Yes
Pay: $450 per camper-week
Length: Minimum five one-week sessions although typically is all or most of the summer
How to apply: Online staff application
Junior Staff Program FAQs
Can I be with my friend in a cabin as a CIT or JC?
No. There is only one JC or CIT per cabin.
Do CITs get to do instructional activities, cabin activities, or free time?
No, yes, and yes. CITs assist senior staff to teach an instructional activity for one period each day. CITs do have cabin activities with their cabin of younger campers. CITs do get some "free time" on some days with their own age group and spend other days playing with the younger campers in their cabin.
Can I do CIT and JC or JC and AC in the same summer?
Yes.
Can I be a camper and a CIT or a camper and a JC in the same summer?
Yes. CIT weeks count toward the maximum of three camper-weeks per summer. JC weeks do NOT count toward the three-week maximum. So a person can be a camper for 3 weeks and also a JC for two additional weeks in a single summer. If you are considering being both a camper and a CIT or JC in the same summer, we strongly encourage you to do the camper part first and the staff part second.
Can I sign up for a CIT session more than once?
Under normal circumstances, no. The CIT program is intended to be done only once.
Can the CIT/JC program count towards community service?
That is a question for your school. If your school counts it, then we are happy to vouch for the experience that you have completed. Typically, a week of CIT contains 40 volunteer hours. Each JC session contains about 110 hours across the two weeks.
I'm currently in 9th grade, but I've never been a camper at Sandy Hill. Can I be in the CIT program?
Yes, but you must come as a camper this summer for at least one week of Sandy Hills traditional camp before your CIT session later in the summer. For example, you can come as a camper week 4 and then do any of the CIT sessions from weeks 5 thru 8.
Why do CITs have to have been a camper before they can be a CIT?
Although many aspects of working with children in the camp setting are universal, much of a staff members ability to be an effective counselor at Sandy Hill stems from their specific knowledge of how our camp works. For example, one of a CITs first tasks on registration Sunday is to show campers to their cabins. If you've never been a camper, its a bit difficult to know where to direct the arriving campers.
Can JCs and ACs stay at camp on the weekend between their two weeks of camp?
JCs - yes as part of the two-week session. ACs - with parental consent. ACs are also eligible to attend staff weekend trips to NYC, DC, Rehoboth Beach, etc.
Are CITs and JCs allowed to drive themselves to camp?
Sandy Hill permits campers, CITs and JCs to drive themselves to camp as long as they are fully licensed to do so. Like campers, CITs must drop their keys off at the office once they have arrived. They can pick them up at the end of their session. JCs may use their vehicles during the course of the week during their time off if they so choose. If driving themselves to camp, campers, CITs and JCs must have written permission from their parents/guardians before their arrival.
If I want to be on staff at Sandy Hill someday, do I have to go through the CIT/JC/AC program?
No.