CIT Leadership

Through dozens of real life leadership opportunities each session, CITs learn what approaches work best to motivate themselves and others. As part of a synergistic team, they develop great habits like taking initiative, flexibility, working through challenges, being the first to say hello and getting to know others.  With daily chances to reflect, targeted guidance from seasoned leaders and peers, and plenty of opportunities to try again, they gain confidence and develop their own leadership style.  They feel proud to be part of something big and, in return, bring their best selves to our community and the world.

SUMMER RANGERS:  

 

Six week-long themed camps

June, July, August

Monday-Thursday

 7:50 – 4:30

 

Friday Finale

7:50 – 5:00

 

Option to lead Aftercare Program

with another CIT

3:00 – 5:00 daily

SUMMER RANGERS CIT PROGRAM DETAILS

SUMMER RANGERS:  

 7:50 – 4:30 Monday-Thursday,  5:00 pick-up on Friday Finale.  Field trips may impact pick-up time- we’ll give you plenty of notice.

  • Before camp begins, you’ll participate in one of two four-hour CIT training sessions that are designed to set you up for success this summer.  Packed full of great strategies and tips and led by in-house expert John Battye, these events are a fun way to learn the ropes while really getting to know your fellow CITs.
  • At camp, each day starts the same way- with the daily Leadership Team round-up.  These meetings, attended by adult leaders, interns and CITs, get the whole crew energized and excited about the day- so we can spread that enthusiasm to our campers from the moment they arrive.  You’ll get to know each and every person you’ll be working with at camp while making a team plan to be sure that every camper feels seen, heard, and appreciated.  You’ll also share and/or hear about successes and challenges of the week, while learning simple steps you can take to really excel in your role.

 

At every camp, you’ll be a role model, leading small groups of elementary age kids in games and activities and work side by side to help create a great finale that celebrates the theme of the camp- whether that’s wand-making at Olivander’s, running trivia games on local wildlife, or teaching attendees how to make and enjoy their own healthy snacks.

Click here for Summer Rangers dates & details

AFTER SCHOOL:  

 

Four 5-week sessions throughout the school year

Mondays, Tuesdays, and/or Thursdays

3:15 – 5:30pm

AFTER SCHOOL CIT PROGRAM DETAILS

After School CIT Program

  • Jump right in after school, working with experienced CITs and those who are just learning the ropes.
  • In partnership with another CIT, lead a small group of 6-8 campers.  Help them play ‘get to know you’ games, keep them focused on what the group is doing, or guide on the side to complete fun craft and cooking projects with opportunities to role-model while making your own creations too.
  • From 5:00-5:30, participate in a Leadership Team meeting to debrief the day with questions like: What went well?  What was challenging?  What did you learn from the day?  …then  make a plan for the next program day to make it even better than the first.

 

On Mondays and Tuesdays, we visit locations like Bavaria, Peru, Scotland, Medieval England, Switzerland, Ancient Egypt, Iceland, Ancient Greece and beyond.  We learn these cultures from within the story- crafting, conversing, creating and cooking as people in these regions would.  On Thursdays, our creativity is primarily focused on cooking as we explore themes like Swashbuckling Chefs of the Caribbean, the grand holiday markets of Europe, Diners and Drive Ins, Culinary Clue, and other mouth-watering adventures.  Click for current session info

Who gets to be a CIT?

Kids that are eager to learn, grow, and lead within an awesome team of peers!

The after school program is open to those currently in 6th-9th grade, while our summer CITs need to have completed 6th grade.

Maybe…

  • You’ve been in Planet rangers for years and are counting down the days to being a CIT
  • You have a friend who is a CIT and want to join them
  • You met us at an event and like the idea of guiding young kids
  • You’ve been a CIT somewhere else and want to learn leadership our way

Whatever the scenario that brought your family here, we’re glad that you’ve come!  CITs are the heroes of our story, providing campers with great role models to look up to and providing our adult leadership team with invaluable support- in some really creative and fun ways.

How do I get involved?

 

Let us know you’re interested!

Email john@planetrangers.org or register for an upcoming program.

 

Sign up when registration opens, about three weeks before each program starts for our after school adventures and in January for Summer Rangers Camps.  If you’re on our mail list, you’ll be given plenty of advance notice of the specific day/time registration opens.

When will I know which weeks I’m accepted for? 

In general, we will confirm your camp weeks within one week of registration.  New CIT acceptance is contingent upon an individual interview.

Wait… an interview?!
YES!  This is nothing to worry about.  This gives you a chance to know us and us a chance to get to know you-  why you want to be a CIT, what excites or concerns you about the role, and who you look up to as a role model.

CITs do a range of tasks in any program, from leading small groups of campers in activity, being a guide on the side while campers cook or craft, dressing up as historic or fantastical characters in one of our engaging story lines, teaching skills like flexibility, listening or picking up, and so much more.  All parts are valuable!  But we’d like to start you in a role that suits you at the beginning.  From there, you’ll begin to stretch outside your comfort zone to learn new things.

CIT stories…

  • It is the best feeling knowing that your kid made a difference in someone else's life. Our son was both surprised and humbled. Planet Rangers was an amazing learning experience for him.

  • Falling accidentally into the CIT program was one of the best things that ever happened to my daughter.  When she talks about these weeks, she emanates a capable, loving, and authentic energy that is unique to these experiences – it’s really wonderful to see as a parent. 

  • I just love that you create an environment for the CITs to expand their leadership and social skills by teaching them ways to reach out to the various camper personalities.  AND you take the time to provide daily feedback on how to effectively handle different situations which they encounter.  My daughter really took her role seriously and did a great job!

  • Keep doing what you’re doing! It’s so important for young kids to have CITs as role models to know that it’s “cool” to be kind and enthusiastic.

  • Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback. I was a little nervous for my daughter on her first day. We didn't recognize anyone. The CIT's were wonderful and greeted us as we walked to the sign in stations. They were so friendly and put both of us at ease. 

  • I could not be more proud of my son the CIT and his kind heart and supportive nature. And the overall leadership skills he has developed.  I must say that his time spent with Planet Rangers played a big part in this.

  • Just want to say a big “thank you” to both of you. To be frank I would assume things like drama and dress up were not their things since they were little. However, they have been talking about your program a lot since Monday and kept asking me “when is Monday again?” Thank you so much for the wonderful program. You are truly amazing!

  • Our son was most excited when he got to lead a game.  He told me how cool it was to watch the kids having fun knowing it was because of him. He feels better about striking up a conversation with someone.  What a great life skill!

  • I really enjoyed coming to Wands and Wizards and Worlds Best Chef camps this summer. During Wands and Wizards I loved playing Quidditch, especially finding the golden snitch. I had so much fun at the fair and making the movie was one of my highlights this summer. I really loved playing Professor Flitwick and surprised myself by memorizing all of my lines. A highlight of both camps was making new friends. I loved becoming friends with Emily and Jenny. I can’t wait for next year. I am hoping to be a CIT. Thank you so much for a wonderful summer and great memories.  Love,  Maeve