Program Our Eco-Discovery Camp CIT program is an exciting leadership training opportunity for rising 9th-12th graders (14-17 years old) who enjoy spending their days outdoors and are interested in working with children. Functioning as junior members of the camp staff, CITs will gain valuable work experience while strengthening their leadership skills in a fun camp setting. They can also apply their hours at Great Hollow towards their high school’s community service requirements.
About the Camp Great Hollow’s Eco-Discovery Camp is an outdoor, environmental education day camp serving children ages 6-12. Heading into its seventh summer, our state-licensed camp offers children the opportunity to forge lasting connections to the natural world on our 825-acre nature preserve. Our days will be spent outdoors, exploring Great Hollow’s creeks, forests, meadows, and trails, learning about the critters that make this special place their home. Each weekly session includes science-based environmental education activities, arts and craftts, games, hikes, and daily time for unstructured outdoor play. Camp has three age groups—Curious Kids (6-8), Knee-High Naturalists (7-9 years old) and Eco-Explorers (9-12 years old)—that alternate, with typical weekly enrollment between 20 and 24 children.
About the Program Each session, a minimum of two CITs will work alongside the Camp Director and Camp Instructor to provide a week of fun and educational outdoor programming for our campers. CITs, supervised by the Camp Director and mentored by both the Director and Instructor, will have the opportunity to explore their interests in environmental education while gaining valuable experience working with children outdoors. As comfort and skills grow, CITs will be given opportunities to lead or help lead a variety of camp activities. Interested CITs may also be offered the chance to be trained in handling and presenting our education program reptiles. CITs will be provided a written record of their community service hours.
Responsibilities:
- •Work with Director, Instructor, and other CITs to run daily camp activities.
- •Work hours are 8:30 am -3:15 pm, Mon.-Fri. each session.
- •Typical tasks include: participating in all games and activities or reinforcing camp expectations; assisting with snack and lunch times; accompanying campers to the restroom (all campers are toilet trained); interacting with campers during down-time (camper drop-off/pick-up, snack and lunch breaks, hiking on the trails, etc.); activity prep and clean-up
- •Help Director and Instructor supervise children in an outdoor setting that includes forests,streams, and wetlands, with travel both on and off trail. We will be outside in all weatherconditions except thunderstorms.
Who Can Apply? Students entering 9th-12th grades (min. of 14 years old). CITs are encouraged to work a minimum of two weekly sessions (they do not need to be consecutive), with preference given to applicants who can work multiple weekly sessions. Camp runs from June 17 to August 16. A weekly schedule can be viewed on the Summer Camp page of our website, greathollow.org. CITs must attend a short orientation session prior to their first week volunteering and submit a record of a record of physical examination and completed immunization record from within the previous 36 months.
Daily transportation to and from Great Hollow is the responsibility of the CIT.
Qualifications:
- •Interests in outdoor and environmental education; wildlife and habitat conservation; NewEngland natural history; ecology; wilderness living skills; nature-based arts and crafts;teaching and mentoring children.
- •Highly motivated and able to handle responsibility
- •Outgoing and engaging personality; ability to relate well to children
- •Excellent communication skills; ability to follow directions and receive feedback
- •Ability to work long days outdoors, often in hot weather
- •Previous experience working with children is a strong plus, but not required
To apply: Complete the following application and email it to the address below or drop it off in person at Great Hollow. Have an adult (not a family member or friend), such as a teacher, who can speak to your suitability for the CIT position to fill out a reference form and directly submit to Great Hollow. Applications are due by 5/1/2024 and will be reviewed in the order in which they are received. Qualified applicants will be contacted by email. Please contact Camp Director, Tara Ewers at or (203) 546-7789 with any questions or concerns.
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