The CIT applications have closed for Summer 2024. See you next year!

We LOVE seeing our former campers come back and volunteer with us! Below are a few FAQs for you to review and consider when talking to your child about being a counselor in training (CIT). Any other additional questions not answered below can be directed to campusrecyouth@montana.edu.

As a CIT, your child: 

  • Is never solely responsible for a single child or group of children. 
  • Will always be with a full-time, adult staff member. 
  • Will be asked to help lead games and activities.
  • Is there to help make sure all the campers have fun!

How old does my child need to be to be a CIT?

Volunteers must be 12 years old before the first day of camp. No exceptions. 

Previous campers are not eligible to be full, paid staff members under the age of 18.

Can my child volunteer all day, every day?

Since volunteers are still kiddos, they are not permitted to volunteer more than 20 hours per week. Volunteering with BSYC should not be viewed as child-care, but instead considered as one of the first opportunities your volunteer has in the workforce.

Parent/Guardians are included in conversations regarding scheduling for their child. A schedule will be built prior to the start of the camp season.

Our max for taking on volunteers each week is six.

Do CIT's get paid or receive stipdends?

CIT positions are unpaid but do receive CPR certification training at no charge.

CIT's are not required to work the max of 20 hours, and do not submit time off requests. We appreciate having the extra help, and do not deny requests to leave early, arrive late, or to go on vacation!

What age group can they volunteer with?

CIT's will be assigned to any of our K-4 grade age groups. Due to the liklihood of being close in age to our 5-6 graders, CIT's will not be assigned to that group. 

We will not prevent CIT's from working with groups their siblings might be in unless their parent/guardian requests to have them separated or if behaviorally/socially it is a hindrance to the camper. 

Can my child take themselves to and from camp?

Even though they are not campers, they are still a child in our care. An adult must pick them up before they leave each day, but is not required to drop them off.

Do they have to attend training? What training might they receive?

Due to safety, liability, and programmatic reasons yes, all CIT's are required to attend training. Training will occur in the evenings the week before camp, specific days and times will be TBD.

Attendance is mandatory and cannot be made up later. 

Training will include:

  • American Red Cross CPR
  • Program Handbook 
  • Healthy Touch for Children & Youth
    • This is a modified training we do for our adult staff that covers abuse recognition, prevention, and reporting
  • Emergency Action Plans 
  • Ice Breakers, Games, Crafts

Do Parents/Guardians have to fill anything out?

Just a few things! In addition to these items, parents/guardians are also more than welcome to attend any of the trainings above with their child. 

  • MSU Volunteer Agreement Form
  • BSYC CIT Registration Forms (allergies, emergency contact, etc)
    • These will be online, similar to how campers register for camp

How do we sign up?!

In order to make sure both families and CIT's take this opportunity seriously, we will ask that potential CIT's do the below steps:

  1. Submit a letter of interest and an optional resume via email to campusrecyouth@montana.edu. We understand that they most likely don't have resumes yet, this optional component can include any significant responsibilities they have around the house, in their neighborhoods, or at school. The letter of interest should outline why they want to volunteer, what their strengths are, and why they'd be a great fit. 
  2. Once we receive their application, we will provide families with a handful of interview questions to review and prepare for and a scheduling link to set up an interview.
  3. After the interview, we will notify families whether we are offering a spot to their volunteer. BSYC reserves the right to not offer a spot to an individual if we feel that they are not ready to be a part of camp staff. 

Again, this process is to make sure both the CIT and parent/guardians understand that this is not child-care, but rather a job to be taken seriously.