Youth Staff

Sugar Hollow Day Camp is staffed entirely by volunteers. Youth Staff are the backbone of our camp program, and we could not run camp without them. Want to join the fun?

All youth staff positions are for the whole session, Monday-Friday, and include the overnight. Youth staff will be assigned to a unit or the admin team to support activities throughout the week. Additionally, they will help run 1-2 skill stations and serve whole-camp meals.

Benefits of attending camp as a youth staff member include leadership experience, resume building, outdoor skill building, and earning Girl Scout Awards.

Youth Staffing Timeline

October - December - Staff apply & register for camp

April - Attend youth staff training and all staff training

April-July - Staff prepare and train for camp

Youth Staff Progression

Please note, the progression system detailed below is a starting point for a youth staff’s placement at camp. Adjustments can be made and adapted based on a girl’s grade and experience.

Cadette Program Aide (CPA)

CPAs are girls entering the 8th-12th grade in the fall. CPA is a two-year position, and CPAs return as a CIT the following year.

CPAs come to camp to assist the staff with all activities and to help campers practice skills.

CPAs must attend the council-run CPA training session that focuses on building leadership skills in addition to SHDC-specific all staff training prior to working at camp.

Counselor in Training (CIT) I

CIT Is are girls entering the 9th-12th grade in the fall. CIT is a two-year position. CITs earn their youth staff whistle during their first year of service and graduate to CIT II during their second year.

They come to camp to develop leadership skills by working with staff and teaching skills to campers. They are expected to lead activities.

CIT Is must attend a council-run training session that focuses on outdoor skills in a camp setting in addition to SHDC-specific all staff training prior to working at camp.

Counselor in Training (CIT) II

CIT IIs are girls entering the 11th-12th grade in the fall. CIT II is a two-year position, and CIT IIs return to camp as adult staff once they turn 18 years of age.

They should have several years of camp experience and CIT leadership training. They are expected to lead activities and mentor CPAs and CIT I Youth Staff.

CIT IIs must attend the SHDC-specific all staff training prior to working at camp. There is no council-run training for this level.