Growing the Next Generation of Leaders: Apachi Day Camp’s CIT Program

At Apachi Village Northbrook, we’re not just creating incredible summers; we’re helping shape the next generation of leaders. Watching campers grow into confident, capable role models through our Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program is one of the most fulfilling parts of my role as Director.

Our CIT program is designed to give teens in 8th to 10th grade the tools to thrive—not just at camp, but in life. They learn to lead, mentor, and build connections while having fun and making lifelong memories. Seeing them grow into confident leaders, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps is so rewarding.

This past summer, I had the privilege of working with Ellie and Jordan, two former CITs whose journeys highlight the impact of the program. Their stories are a testament to the skills, mentorship, and sense of community that make our CIT program so special. Watching them evolve from campers into dynamic leaders, and now into key members of our team, has been a joy and an honor.

Ellie’s Apachi Village story is one of passion, growth, and full-circle moments. She started as a camper, fell in love with the camp’s spirit, and continued her journey as a CIT. Over three years as a CIT, Ellie discovered the unique challenges and rewards of camp leadership, gaining mentorship and life skills that shaped her both personally and professionally.

“As a CIT, I was mentored by many incredible people who taught me valuable life skills. The most impactful lesson was perspective. Working with such young children teaches you to approach situations with a different mindset than you would if you were interacting with adults. This skill has significantly helped me both in and outside of camp. Overall, my experience as a CIT was life changing, and it’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. I am fortunate to have made so many lifelong friends and to have brought my peers onto the Apachi team too. The Apachi Village family is one that I know I can come back to at any point in life and still feel right at home. Being a CIT prepared me immensely for my role as a counselor. Thanks to the mentorship I received, I developed patience, nurturing skills, and the ability to lead while having fun—all qualities that are incredibly important as a counselor.” – Ellie W.

Ellie spent two years as a counselor, and last summer she excelled as the Israel Village and Dance Specialist, demonstrating her ability to embrace new challenges with creativity and enthusiasm. This summer, Ellie returns for her sixth year at Apachi Village in another leadership role, ready to inspire and mentor the next generation of CITs. I can’t wait to watch her shine in another leadership moment.

Jordan is another great example of how the CIT program can truly set teens up for success for future leadership roles at Apachi Village Northbrook.

“As a CIT at Apachi Village in Northbrook, the first skill I developed was leadership. Leading activities taught me how to guide others, and those skills have helped me in school and other parts of my life. Throughout my time as a CIT, I received incredible mentorship. My first-year counselor played a huge role in shaping my development. He was an excellent mentor and is one of the reasons I feel confident as a counselor today. Additionally, being a CIT taught me how to mentor others, and now, I’m able to guide new CITs and co-counselors with the skills I gained. ” – Jordan G.

After two years as a CIT, Jordan progressed to camp counselor, and he flourished in the role for three years. A fun, responsible and confident counselor, Jordan became a mentor to the CITs in his group. This upcoming summer, Jordan’s sixth summer at Apachi Village, he will return as a specialist and have an even greater positive impact on our team.  It has been an exciting journey seeing Jordan thrive over the years from CIT to specialist!

I can’t wait to see our next group of CITs make their mark this summer, growing into the incredible leaders of tomorrow. If your teen is ready to build their leadership skills while experiencing the joy of camp and forming lifelong bonds with CITs from all Apachi locations, I encourage them to explore our CIT program at Apachi Village Northbrook.