Ann Arbor Ymca

Camp Al-Gon-Quian’s volunteer CIT program is for students interested in working with younger children.  Participants spend two to three weeks in training, programming and service, while learning to work together and gain a basic understanding of summer camp operations. 

This program gives participants the opportunity to place the needs of others ahead of their own, share what they have learned and be a role model for younger campers. CITs will assist staff with cabins, activity areas, evening activities and in the kitchen.  CIT applicants prepare an application with references and are interviewed before being accepted into the program.

Eligibility

In order to be considered, applicants must have completed the tenth grade. We suggest that applicants have completed the Camp Al-Gon-Quian Leaders-in-Training program, or have previous work experience with children. While it is not required, we suggest applicants are 16 or 17 years old. We do accept 15-year-old CITs, however, 15 year old CITs will not be eligible as a Junior Counselor candidate for the summer of 2013.

CIT Session

The CIT program takes place throughout the summer coinciding with regular camper sessions. CITs must participate in all days of the CIT session.  CIT sessions correspond with camper sessions as follows:

CIT Session A       Sessions 1 + 2 (Saturday, June 23 - Saturday, July 14)

CIT Session B       Session 3 (Saturday, July 14 - Saturday, July 28)

CIT Session C       Session 4 (Sunday, July 29 - Sunday, August 12)

CIT Session D.1     Session 5 + Mini-Camp (Sunday, August 12 - Wednesday, August 222)

CIT Session D.2     Session 5 + 6 (Sunday, August 22 - Sunday, August 26)

CIT Application Process

Step 1: Apply!

Applications are available online (below) and at the front desk at the Ann Arbor YMCA.  Complete CIT applications (including three references AND parent signature) must be returned to the camp office by Wednesday, February 15, 2012.

Step 2: Interviews

Group interviews will be conducted in early March at the Ann Arbor YMCA. A Staff member will contact the CIT applicant in February to set up an interview time.

Step 3: Placement Decisions

Placement decisions will be based on the application, interview, reference forms and if applicable, the suggestions of the 2011 LIT Directors and the applicant's history at Camp Al-Gon-Quian. Placement decisions will be made the last week of March and placement notification will come in the mail the first week of April.

Please be aware that space is limited and not everyone who applies will be accepted into the program. In order to maintain a high caliber program and adequate opportunities to meet our goals, Al-Gon-Quian must maintain a manageable and appropriately sized program.

Application Downloads

CIT Application
Reference Form (you will need to submit three)

Junior Staff (J-Staff) Program

The Junior Staff program (formerly known as the CIT II program) is a volunteer or work program for teens who have finished the 11th or 12th grades and who have completed one year of the CIT program with Camp Al-Gon-Quian. J-Staff fulfill many different roles at Camp Al-Gon-Quian. They need to have a sincere desire to work with children, a wish to give back to the camp community, a strong work ethic, lots of energy and creativity, a positive attitude and the ability to put children’s needs ahead of their own. The objective of the program is to better prepare the participants for future work with children in a specific focus area, in or outside the camp setting. This program gives seniors in high school an opportunity to spend half their summer at camp and continue to mature and develop their skills.

J-Staff work for half of the summer.  Once J-Staff members are selected, they may choose whether or not they would like to work as volunteers or if they would like to receive a weekly stipend as paid staff. 

Eligibility

In order to be considered, applicants must have completed the eleventh grade and successfully finished a year of the Camp Al-Gon-Quian CIT program.

J-Staff Schedule

J-Staff Session A      Sessions 1, 2 & 3 (Saturday, June 23 - Saturday, July 28)

J-Staff Session B      Sessions 4, 5 & 6 (Saturday, July 28 - Sunday, August 26)

J-Staff Application Process

Step 1: Apply!

Complete J-Staff applications (including three references AND parent signature) must be returned to the camp office by February 1, 2012.  This year, the J-Staff and Junior Counselor application are combined.  Applicants may preference which session they would like to work.  More information about the distinctions between the two programs can be found in the link for the application.

Step 2: Interviews

Individual interviews will be conducted the week of February 6 at the Ann Arbor YMCA. A Staff member will contact the J-Staff applicant on February 2nd or 3rd in order to set up an interview time.

Step 3: Placement Decisions

Placement decisions will be based on the application, interview, reference forms and the applicant's past performance as a CIT. Placement decisions will be made the first week of March and placement notification will come in the mail shortly after that.

Please be aware that space is limited and not everyone who applies will be accepted into the program.

Application Downloads

Junior Staff Application
Reference Form

About the Leaders-In-Training (LIT) Program

The LIT program is a camper program that is offered during the 2-week sessions in the summer for campers who have finished the 9th or 10th grades.  For many of our CITs, the LIT program is the first step in the transition from camper to counselor, but there always some successful CITs who do not participate in the LIT program.  This program is designed to be the camper's last year as a camper at AGQ - it combines activities for personal growth, leadership and team development as well as memorable experiences that campers will remember for a lifetime. 

There is no application required to be an LIT, but the sessions tend to fill up quickly as there are fewer spots available.  Registration for the LIT program for returning campers and Ann Arbor YMCA members begins on December 1st, and registration for new campers who are not members begins on January 14th.  Participants can register online or by calling the camp office at 734-661-8051.