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.
Application Deadline: May 8th, 2026
Details:
LIT 1 participants are between the ages of 13-15 and are typically considered campers. They engage in leadership training sessions, team-building activities, and hands-on service opportunities within camp programs.
LIT 2 participants are between the ages of 14-16 and/or have successfully completed LIT 1. They are typically considered volunteers and take on greater responsibilities, including assisting in camp activities and shadowing camp staff.
Mandatory Training Days:
June 26th - 27th, 2026
July 2nd - 3rd, 2026
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 $55 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” section 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
Program Overview:
Leadership Training
During the mandatory training days 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.
Application Requirements:
1) Complete the Application Form online by clicking the button below.
2) Have two reference forms completed by non-family members.
Online Reference Form: https://forms.gle/bJCGAkfwcZjPRoSy9
3) After the application deadline (May 8th), our team will review all applications. Applicants selected to move forward will be contacted to schedule an interview in late May. Please note that not all applicants will be selected for an interview, and an interview does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Both the application and references must be completed by the deadline to be considered.
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 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.