BENEFITS OF A TEEN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Participating in an overnight teen leadership program at Swift Nature Camp can provide a productive and rewarding summer experience for 16 and 17-year-olds. Here are some reasons why it is important for teens to use their summer vacation productively by attending this program:

1. Develop Leadership Skills: The Teen Leadership Program provides teens with the opportunity to develop valuable leadership skills that can benefit them in their future endeavors. They will learn how to communicate effectively, problem-solve, and make decisions in a supportive and educational environment.

2. Gain Work Experience: Teens will gain work experience that can be valuable when they start their careers. They will learn how to work as part of a team, manage their time effectively, and take on responsibilities that can prepare them for future employment.

3. Make Connections and Build Friendships: The TLP provides teens with the opportunity to meet and interact with peers who share similar interests. This can help them build friendships and make connections that can last a lifetime.

4. Avoid Unhealthy Habits: Engaging in productive and educational activities can help teens avoid unhealthy habits such as excessive screen time or social isolation. Teens will stay active, engage with nature, and develop positive habits that can benefit their overall health and well-being all in a face to face setting. Enjoy being screen free for the summer.

Overall, attending an overnight teen leadership program at Swift Nature Camp can provide a productive and enriching summer experience for 16 and 17-year-olds. It can help them develop important skills, gain work experience, learn about nature and the environment, make connections, and avoid unhealthy habits.

 LET'S ALL MAKE IT A GREAT SUMMER!

The Teen Leadership Program (ages 16 & 17) will provide a valuable and life-changing experience that will prepare teens for college and work life. At SNC we respect & support each other, encourage personal growth and feel deeply connected to one another. Swift Nature Camp hosts a special kind of magic. It's a unique environment where lifelong friends are made and each person realizes the positive impact camp makes on others and themselves. If you are willing to give of yourself, work hard and help others enjoy this special place...we would love to see you at camp this upcoming summer. We welcome First Timers!

The Teen Leadership program is geared for young people who want to work with children and/or learn & practice Leadership skills. As a member of the program, you will learn more about being a leader in life by working alongside the counselors, assisting staff, teaching activities and helping with day-to-day living. You will occupy a unique role in between a camper and staff member. You'll also have an opportunity to help out "behind the scenes," building your resume with kitchen experience, office work, planning special events and more! Campers really look up to our Teen Leaders, and as role-models you'll demonstrate the qualities like kindness, enthusiasm and positivity that makes camp so special. Being a Teen Leader is a unique and rewarding position that promises growth, adventure, and the best summer of your life! In adittion, you will participate in camp much like a camper, taking trips, playing games, and learning new skills. Your major role at camp is to be actively involved in all camp activities, working with staff and acting as an enthusiastic and responsible role model for campers. Being a Teen Leader can be a very rewarding position, and when we all do our part the "Swift Nature Camp Team" works better than you can ever imagine, and everyone has a great summer. Some of the real-world, transferable skills you will be able to put on your resume include: Communication, Leadership, Critical Thinking, Team Building, Counseling, Creativity and more. 

ALL THE DETAILS

Program Length
In an attempt to promote staff continuity we encourage you to remain at camp for the full 6 week program.

Program Cost
Leadership Tuition for the 6 week program is $3000, or 8 weeks for an additional $600, this includes all meals, activities and housing.

Compensation and Benefits
Reimbursement of camp tuition to you is $450 (6weeks) or $550 (8weeks). Please read the Job Description, for additional information. Payments are paid in full at the close of camp. In addition, weekly you will receive an allowance of $10 which is added to the year end tuition reimbursement.

Training
During your time at camp you will meet regularly with the Leadership Coordinator and discuss, child development, leadership skills, communication skills, and other issues that will help you be a better leader. In addition, you will spend time with the director, nurse, cook, and other staff learning about their positions and responsibilities at camp.

Health Care
We will provide you with health care just as we do our campers. Our camp nurse performs all basic health care at camp. Parents or their health insurance are financially responsible for any preexisting conditions, or any condition or emergency which may require off-camp treatment, consultation, medication, or hospitalization. We ask you to present a current health form to the nurse 10 days prior to the beginning of camp. We require all in the Leadership program to take a drug test while at camp. In addition, we do random drug testing during the camp sessions.

Time Off
You will have many opportunities for downtime when they are not helping in direct camper supervision. Daily you will have 1.5 hours off during Free Time. During this time, they are participating as campers in camp activities. For this reason, we provide no individual time off during sessions. During the session break, we encourage you to leave camp and go with their family or you can stay at camp and help with the campers.

Personal Belongings
You will furnish all of your own personal belongings, a packing list is online highlighting items to bring to camp. Laundry can be washed with your cabin. Let's all try to keep camp a natural setting by not bringing electronics items including: phones, radios, tablets, TVs, etc. Feel free to bring CDs you want to share with the cabin. It's important to have a bag of tricks to help entertain your younger campers, feel free to bring any items that might help you with this such as books, stories, games, arts & crafts, etc.

Visitors
You may have visitors at camp with prior permission from the Director. We ask you to schedule visits when you have limited camp responsibilities. Visitors are limited to a 3-hour visit and no visitor may spend the night at camp. During sessions, parents may take you out for no more than one full day per summer.

Use of Camp Equipment
Please be respectful of camp equipment, you are allowed to use camp equipment and participate in any activity with your cabin. Because we feel responsible for you we ask that you not use any equipment individually or be unsupervised at any time.

Restricted Areas
You are not permitted in any of the restricted areas without Director's permission, this includes: the staff lounge, Director's cabin, Caretakers cabin, Kitchen, Boiler room, or Work-shed. You will be permitted to leave camp only with their cabin or group. They are not allowed to leave camp individually except with special permission from the Director and your parents.

Transportation
You are responsible for getting to camp on time. They may choose to ride the camp bus from Chicago for an additional charge. Please do not bring a car or motorcycle to camp. You will not be asked to drive any camp vehicles for personal transportation or for camp purposes. You must be 21 to drive a camp vehicle.

Cabin Assignments
The Camp Director assigns you to a cabin with 2 other staff members and up to ten campers for the duration of the session. This will be your home to live and sleep along with your campers. CIT's are required to be at Leadership class during quiet time and be in bed by 10:30pm each night.

Policies
As a role model for campers, you are required to adhere to and uphold all camp policies and procedures, the information in this "LIFE AT SWIFT NATURE CAMP- Leadership Program" and the Job Description.

Camp Store
You will be allowed to set up a camp store charge for purchases just like campers. These camp store charges will be deducted from your camp store account as added to tuition. 

Telephone Usage
With permission from the Director, you may use the office phone once between sessions to call their parents (please limit calls to 10 minutes). You may only accept emergency phone calls, from parents or loved ones. Sorry there is no internet or cell phone access while at camp except in special situations.

Meal Times
We ask you to sit with your cabin at mealtime, and be role models by using proper dining hall procedures and manners.

Relationships
You should become friends with campers and staff but never overstep the boundary of friendship to relationship and never engage in sexual activity.

Evaluations
You will be under the guidence of a Leadership Director, someone you can trust and will provide support. We feel it is important to provide you with friendship, advice, and an understanding ear. Our system of evaluations is often informal and an ongoing daily process. Each session we will meet with you and do a written Performance Review, commending your good performance and identifying areas that may require additional attention. We also hope that you can give us input, so we can learn from you.

Termination
Swift Nature Camp expects you to cheerfully follow the rules and regulations. Camp reserves the right to terminate your position if your conduct, physical condition, services, attitude or influence is deemed unsatisfactory or for any other reason or cause. If you leave camp early for any reason, your tuition will not be refunded and your tuition reimbursement will be prorated to the amount of time worked minus any deductions.

Teen Leadership Job Description

Seeking Applicants Who:
*Are 16 or 17 years old at the beginning of camp (if you are 15, you can be a camper 1 more year, enjoy)
*Are patient, friendly, cooperative, outgoing, and approachable
*Demonstrate by example maturity, responsibility and leadership qualities
*Have an ability and desire to work with children
*Integrate and communicate positively with campers and staff
*Accepts responsibility for others and easily takes directions from staff

Responsibilities:
Assists counselors with leadership and guidance of campers in daily living skills, with special attention to:
  ~Personal hygiene and safety
 ~Camper participation in camp activities
 ~Camper personal growth, self-confidence and independence through group living
 ~Actively participates in camp activities including games, sing alongs, skits, vespers and campfires
 ~Upholds the rules, policies, and traditions of the camp to the camper
 ~Serves as a good role model and example to campers in personal language, appearance, manners and health habits
 ~Assists counselors in daily activities as determined by the Camp Director and Counselor
 ~Never left alone with campers or responsible for punishing Campers.

Terms & Salary
The Leadership program begins at 5:00 pm on July 2nd, 2023 and continues until August 11, 2023 at 9:00am. During this 6 weeks of employment, please agree to all camp rules and policies, terms as outlined in the Swift Nature Camp-a Leadership guide, the Job Description and the contract.

Leadership Tuition for 6 weeks of camp is $3000 for the 6 weeks of camp Or you can add an additional 2 weeks (Pathfinder Camp) for an amount of $600

Reimbursement of camp tuition (most parents give this to participants) is $450 (6weeks) or $550 (8weeks). Please read the Job Description, for additional information. Payments are paid in full at the close of camp. In addition, weekly you will receive an allowance of $10, this amount is above your end of summer tuition reimbusement. Tuition Reimbursement is non-taxable.

OK I Am In! Now What?
Go to the dates and rates page and enrol in Teen Leadership Program, that will hold your spot. Next print off the application for The Leadership Program, year 1 or 2. Please complete that for as well as get refrences as required. Then you can email those to us. Once arrived we will set up an interview with Lonnie and if all is good there, we will see you at camp. Don't worry, this process may seem complicated but it is good practice for real life.

Application for Leadership 1st Year

We take your position at SNC Very Seriously, we hope you will as well. So be sure you are coming to camp for all the right reasons... To gain leadership skills while having a positive influence on children. Please print this application and mail in

PRINT APPLICATION

Application for Leadership 2nd Year

If this is your 2nd year as a LIT, please complete this application. You know how important the skills you learn at camp can be for all involved, so take your position seriously we do.
Please print this application and mail in

PRINT 2nd YEAR APPLICATION