Teen Leadership Training
Teen Service & Leadership Training
Develop leadership skills that are useful at home, school, and in the community – not just at camp.
Schoolhouse of Wonder provides unique opportunities for 13- to 16-year-olds to feel confident, secure, and imaginative as they continue to discover who they are and what they’re capable of achieving.
Our mentors coach teens to observe, learn, and practice skills and qualities such as positive attitude, integrity, confidence, humility, empathy, communication, cooperation, teamwork, and the willingness to try new things. Through these experiences teens learn to hear their own voice, discover their own leadership style, and build their capacity to lead people of all ages.
Counselors in Training (School Break Camps)
Discovery Day dates, we offer a less structured leadership training opportunity. CITs in our fall, winter, and spring camps continue to be mentored, receive feedback, and challenge themselves with leadership opportunities in a supportive environment. It is unlikely that they will receive formal, written evaluations
Requirements:
- Age: 13-16 years old
- Must have attended Schoolhouse CIT training and have previous CIT experience at Schoolhouse
- Cost: $5
- To apply: Email schoolhouse@schoolhouseofwonder.org
- With limited availability for CITs in these programs, we will discuss assignments on a case-by-case basis
Counselors in Training (Summer Camps)
Counselors in Training (CIT) support our younger campers while being mentored by our dedicated camp staff. Each CIT sets personalized goals, receives real-time verbal feedback and written feedback, and is encouraged to challenge themselves with leadership opportunities in a supportive environment. During the summer CITs can serve for a single week, a few weeks, or even a month. Individuals who participate in the CIT program then have the opportunity to further their leadership skills by applying for employment with Schoolhouse of Wonder as a Junior Counselor.
Summer 2027 Counselor in Training Program
- Age: 13-16 years old (must be 13 by August 31)
- Cost: $229-$239/week (CITs are eligible for multi-camp discounts)
- Maximum two weeks in Durham, four weeks in Orange or Wake
- Participants in the CIT program are also eligible for scholarships. Scholarship information will be posted in early January 2027.
- Acceptance into the CIT program is contingent on the participant’s ability to attend required training in May, 2027.
Please note that overnight weeks have a single overnight for campers only. CITs are not invited to stay over.
Under the guidance of the American Camp Association and Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center, we don’t count paid CIT program participant hours as volunteer hours. CITs are absolutely helpful and valued in our programs, but our CIT program doesn’t fit either of those organization’s definitions of “volunteer” or “service hours”.
Junior Counselors (Summer Camps)
In 2013 we created Junior Counselors as the capstone of our leadership training program. These paid summer camp positions are designed to help 16-17-year-olds continue to develop important skills like problem-solving, communication, creativity, teamwork, and group facilitation, and bring them into the workforce. Junior Counselors (JCs) receive high quality training, support, and supervision from Schoolhouse staff.
Young leaders who have participated as Counselors in Training (CIT) are encouraged to apply for summer sessions depending on their interest and availability. Junior Counselors typically work only one session of the summer season and preference may be given to folks who can work the entirety of a session. Junior Counselors must be at least 16 years old by the beginning of their preferred session.
Important 2027 Dates:
- TBD: Application deadline
- Session 1: TBD
- Session 2: TBD
Click here to learn more. 2027 applications will open in January.