Leader in Training Program

Kingswood Camp believes in developing leaders. This program is more than simply training future staff, it is teaching young leaders to be world changers beyond the camp context. It is a formative program that shows them how to serve their community and step out in confidence in what they believe and what they can do.

Details:

LIT 1 - Ages 13-15
LIT 2 - Must have completed LIT 1 or be ages 14-16

June 30 - July 5 Mandatory Training Week

Attend a flexible number of weeks. The LIT program overlaps with all camps for Grades P-8. You can be at Kingswood as LIT for 1 week or 6. The cost is $50 for each week you attend for LIT 1. There is no fee for LIT 2.

There is an application and selection process for joining this program. See Application Details below.

Who is this program for?

The LIT program is not for everyone. This is an intensive leadership and discipleship program designed to challenge and facilitate the personal development of 13-16 year old teens. It is NOT just the next step in our camping program, nor is it a multiple week long teen camp. This program is quite different.

Applicants for the LIT program should:

  • Desire to grow as a leader

  • Desire to grow spiritually

  • Work well alongside a team and maintain a positive attitude

  • Be prepared to face challenges and be willing to be involved in some of the less glamorous jobs at camp such as dishes

How do I know if I should be LIT 1 or LIT 2?

LIT 1 is for those who are starting out in leadership. Either you’re 13 years old, or you haven’t had many opportunities to practice leadership in this way. LIT 1 fall under the category of “campers” - but they will be learning leadership qualities alongside their peers, under the care of our LIT Coordinators and other staff.
LIT 1 is a pre-cursor to LIT 2, but may be repeated if deemed necessary.

LIT 2 is for those who have had leadership experience, either through LIT 1 or various opportunities. LIT 2 fall under the category of “volunteer and personnel” at camp, meaning they are able to take on bigger roles alongside staff without needing to be supervised by our LIT Coordinators. LIT 2 will be trained in all relevant policies and procedures. These are individuals who show maturity, responsibility, and a desire for growth in the Christian faith. LIT 2 leads to more experience in role-specific leadership, such as shadowing cabin leading, maintenance, or kitchen.

Program Overview:

Leadership Training

During the mandatory training, and throughout each week of the LIT program, time will be dedicated towards learning and observation of what being a leader at Kingswood Camp looks like. There will be several sessions throughout the program that focus on a variety of topics around leadership. These lessons are meant to be practical lessons that each person will need to learn in order to be an effective leader. Some examples of lesson topics include:

  • Initiative and Responsibility

  • Conflict management

  • Decision making and Risk management

  • Group dynamics

  • Communication skills

  • Leadership traits and styles

  • Goal setting

Leadership Immersion

Throughout each week LIT will have the opportunity to put their skills into practice as they are given leadership opportunities such as assisting in programs, directing a team, helping in a cabin, and given responsibility for various tasks at camp. These opportunities allow participants to experience the challenges of leadership under the guidance and support of a mentor. They will receive constructive feedback and additional chances to implement the feedback. It is during this practical leadership immersion that LIT will grow in their confidence and competence as leaders.

One-on-One

From day one each LIT will begin a mentoring relationship with one of our LIT Coordinators. Throughout the program special time will be taken to “check in” with that staff person. This is an opportunity for LIT to work through the things that they are learning and to ask questions – big or small.

Team Atmosphere

The LIT Coordinators work hard to foster a strong and positive team atmosphere among participants. LIT will learn from one another as they work together and they will receive support and encouragement from each other as they challenge themselves to grow. Not only do the LIT experience a team among their own program participants but the LIT are integral to the staff of Kingswood as a whole. They will have a chance to experience a supportive team atmosphere that is present among the staff team of Kingswood and learn from other staff beyond their own leaders.

Spiritual Growth

Spiritual growth is another priority of the LIT program. Our goal is for each participant to learn more about a God who loves us and more about Christianity. This discipleship portion of the program will include Bible studies on various topics, learning about spiritual practices that bring us closer to God (prayer, scripture study), and time for discussing matters of faith. It will also include teaching and training around leadership in a Christian context with the desire to see young people step into active roles in the Kingdom of God. The LIT Coordinators will facilitate discipleship with a Christian understanding that is based in the Bible and with the recognition that each LIT comes into the program with their own experience of spirituality. Discipleship is done with both a strong belief in the truth of Christianity and with an invitational and non-pressure environment that does not ostracize those of differing beliefs.

Service Opportunities

The LIT will have many service opportunities throughout their time at camp such as helping with set-up and tear down in the dining hall, dishes, facility projects, and running the tuck hut. While these experiences may not seem as glamorous as other jobs at the forefront they teach crucial leadership skills especially when facilitated by a mentor like in our LIT program. Service opportunities offer experiential learning around responsibility, cooperation, team work, conflict resolution, initiative, and resiliency, and they offer valuable work-related experience.

Camping Trip

We hope to do a 2-3 night camping trip with our LIT during their training week designed to foster community bonding and to push the LIT outside of their comfort zone so they embrace challenges with teamwork and a problem solving mindset. This portion of the program is dependent upon finding the staff with the right skill-set to lead it.

Application Requirements:

1) Complete the Application Form online by clicking the button below or email us to request a paper Application Form.

LIT applications are due no later than June 20th 2024. Our LIT Coordinators will begin interviews in the last week of May so it is recommended to submit your application by mid-May in order to know about your acceptance into the program by the earliest date possible. 

2) Have two reference forms completed (not by family members)

Online Reference Form: https://forms.gle/ryageVoDf38ZZfsGA
Email us to request a Paper Reference Form: admin@kingswoodcamp.ca

3) The LIT Coordinators will contact you once they have received your application (in the months of May-June). They may ask you for a phone interview. Both the application and references must be completed before the LIT Coordinators will make contact.

4) All LIT 2 participants are required to complete and submit a Child Abuse Registry Check. These can be completed online at https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-child-abuse-register-search or by mailing in a paper form (Click Here for the Form).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will applicant know they have been accepted into the program?

A:  Interviews will be conducted around the end of May and beginning of June and we will try to let applicants know by early June.

Q: Will an applicant get to attend all the weeks they request?

A: No the weeks requested are not guaranteed. We will do our best to accommodate all weeks requested but it will depend greatly on the availability of other participants and our capacity limits and program needs.