Camp is an unforgettable experience when friendships and shared experiences impact us for a lifetime!

1-Week Camp is for children completing grades 2 – 7

Resident Camp is for children age 8 and completed grade 2 to age 15

Adventure Camp is for children ages 12 to 15

What happens when my child is too old for camp at age 16?

 

The CIT Program is a long standing Coniston tradition and the majority of our senior campers apply for this special teen leadership program when they age-out of camp. This program is very competitive and spaces are limited. Sixteen-year-olds who are in Grade 10, and have been attending Coniston as campers, are eligible to apply.

Refer to the following Eligibility Chart:

	Grade Completed in School
Age	Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11
15	Resident Camp   Adventure Camp	Resident Camp   Adventure Camp
Turn 16 in summer between July 1 - August 31	Resident Camp   CIT	CIT
Turn 16 before July 1	CIT	CIT	CIT
17		CIT

CIT Program

If you ask your camper or any Conistonian: “Do you want to run into the lake?” the answer is always YES.

This CIT rite of passage is a very emotional moment upon each return from Mount Washington and the West Coast. It is moments like these that make CIT spots highly desirable among our campers.

CIT Applications are passed out during the summer at camper information sessions and on check-out days to those who are interested. Please contact the office if you need an application mailed to you at a later time.

There is no deposit needed with the application. CIT applications are due in the office by OCTOBER 15TH. Notification letters are mailed mid-November.

A majority of senior campers apply and spaces are limited, and as a result we can only accept half of the applicants each year.

There are 20 spots for East Coast CIT groups and 14 spots for West Coast CIT groups. The size of the CIT groups is based on a variety of factors such as group reservations for campsites, transportation space, and Coniston adopt-a-cabin spaces.

So What Makes a Good CIT Applicant? This is a tough question to answer. There is a different pool of applicants each year with different strengths, making it impossible to give a concrete answer.

Every applicant is a great camper who has attended for years and is well-liked; leaving small details to tip the scale in an individual’s favor. Our best advice is to take the application process seriously, and do your very best on every aspect of what you submit.

General Information

• The focus of the 4-week program is personal leadership and teambuilding while working with youth.
• The CIT campers must be able to attend the full 4-week period.
• Both West & East Coast programs include wilderness experiences and require a certain amount of fitness & strength.
• West Coast CITs share time between being at Coniston & flying west. While traveling in Utah/Arizona, one of the exciting excursions for this group is hiking in the Grand Canyon!
• East Coast CITs are based at Coniston the entire 4 weeks. This program does various hikes and off site teambuilding. The big excursion to look forward to is a 3 day hike on Mt. Washington!
• Each CIT camper (in either program) will shadow and teach in activity/program areas and adopt a cabin where they role model for current campers.
• CIT Directors will challenge CIT campers to think about and frequently discuss camper safety issues, homesickness, boundaries, behavior modification and counselor techniques.
• CIT campers have a lot of autonomy and responsibility to follow their individual schedule and manage their time accordingly.
• We are developing and encouraging responsibility & independence, which is essential in our future staff members.
• It is important to remember that CITs are not traditional campers anymore. Their daily routine in this co-ed program is much different than that of the other campers. If you have any questions about sibling interactions with CITs please contact us in the office.

Fees, Payments & Cancellations

• Fees are detailed in the application packet.
• After you receive notification of acceptance, complete and return the enrollment form with your $400 nonrefundable deposit by January 1st.
• 50% of balance is due by February 1st. Balance is due in full May 1st.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Can I reapply to CIT if I don’t make it this year?
  A: Only if your age and grade qualify you in the chart above.
• Q: Can I apply for LIT staff if I am 17 and didn’t make CIT?
  A: No, the Leaders-in-Training program is only for CITs from the year before.
• Q: Is LIT a camper position or staff position?
  A: LIT is a full summer staff position with all the responsibilities of Coniston Staff. Note: non US Citizens must be 18 or older to attain a work visa. If a CIT does not have US Citizenship they may not be eligible for LIT the following year even if they get great evaluations.
• Q: Will I ever be able to work at Camp Coniston if I’m not a CIT or LIT?
  A: Yes, when you are 18+ and a high school graduate you can apply & interview for cabin counselor, maintenance, kitchen or other program position.

Becoming Camp Alumni

You are important to us and will always be a part of the Coniston family. After attending YMCA Camp Coniston as a camper or staff member, we hope that you continue to stay connected to camp and stay active as a Camp Coniston Alumnus.

There are many ways to stay active in the Coniston community:

• Check the Coniston homepage and alumni pages often
• ‘Friend’ the “YMCA Camp Coniston” Facebook page
• Stay in touch with camp friends
• Visit the camp during the off season and during alumni events
• Promote Camp to your relatives, friends, and co-workers
• Contribute to our annual fund
• Email us with current news and photos for future newsletters and the website
• Carry on the Coniston tradition and send your own children to camp
• Be sure to keep a current address on file with the camp so you can continue to receive the camp newsletters and notices about camp events and fundraising

Sample Packing Lists For CITs

Coming soon...