What will it be like for you to be in the Leaders-In-Training Program at Camp Alleghany for Girls?
Well, let’s start with FUN! Who’s up for that?
We are, that’s for sure, and we hope you are, too! What kind of camp experience would it be if there wasn’t a hefty dose of fun, some special and unique traditions, and opportunities for your group — the LITs — to do some things that no one else at camp gets to do?
So get ready for the best, most fun summer of your life!
Being an LIT is, above all, a year of transition. It’s like being on a bridge. A bridge between being a camper and counselor. Between being dependent on your parents and learning the independence you’ll need as you step into the world of jobs and college and internships. You don’t want to go zooming over that bridge and leave your childhood in the dust. And you don’t want to linger on that bridge so long that you miss out on some crucial skills and know-how about what’s up ahead.
Like Goldilocks, you want to get it “just right!”
And that’s what we do in the LIT Program. So let’s jump in and see what’s up!
A Typical Day in the life of an LIT:
Some Frequently Asked Questions:
Activities? Yes or no?
Yes! You’ll get to continue taking activities. You’ll take two activity classes every day (unless you’re out of camp for a trip or service work).
Do we get any of the activity choices?
Well, actually, there’s no performance ones during the LIT summer — Dance, Drama, or Singing — because, to be fair to everyone, you won’t always be there to rehearse and rehearsals are important for performances. But all other activities are a great big YES! (And p.s., we’re always singing, dancing, and making up skits around camp so you’ll likely get at least some ways to perform at camp like at a campfire, in the Dining Hall, around Tent Row, in the Counselor Show or in ways that the LITs figure out all on their own!)
Why six weeks?
Some of the AMAZING things we’re going to do take longer than can be accomplished in three weeks so get ready ’cause you’ll finally be a full termer if you’ve never been one before!
What if I can’t afford to come full term?
Campers in need can apply for the Lantern Scholarship and we have at times arranged bartering relationships with camp families. Always feel free to reach out about those opportunities.
Is this going to be like summer school?
WHAT? No way. School’s out for the summer, friend!
This is camp, and while an LIT is not technically a camper, nor are you on to being a Junior Counselor yet, you certainly aren’t a summer school student!
Okay, okay, so you’re going to learn some things. But not all learning happens in school. You’ve already learned tons of things at camp over the years so why would this summer be any different? And the things you’ll learn will absolutely have creative, fun, and imaginative elements to them.
So then this really isn’t that serious?
Now, we didn’t say that.
Imagining that you’re 16 as an LIT, you know how you’re driving now? Or looking for a part-time job? Or wondering about college? Those are some serious things, sometimes demanding real focus and attention.
Think of it like Rifle or Archery or being on the river. Sometimes you really have to buckle down and exactly follow the rules for safety’s sake. But when you pull that trigger or let loose that arrow or go splashing around, it’s still a blast!
There will be times when LITs are more reflective, or need to follow protocol (like in the kitchen, or dealing with a car engine), but that’s simply to be safe and wise.
Or if you’re learning how to do a job interview — you want to make sure you learn it right so you can represent your best self. But it doesn’t mean you can’t find some humor in it, or laugh at a funny example.
Think of being an LIT as a mix — good fun, good heart, good soul, good minds. It’s all coming together now.
I don’t want to miss out on campfires and stuff!
And you won’t! In fact, you’ll likely get to help plan one led by LITs. There will also be Evening Activities and Free Time and other things you’ve come to know and love about camp that you’ll get to be a part of.
So exactly like camp as we’ve known it?
Well, there are some exceptions. Sometimes you’ll be off on a field trip, or doing service work, or doing a special workshop time. But over your six weeks as an LIT you’ll get a good mix of all-camp events and “just LIT events.”
I’ve heard we’re going to learn a “skill” or get certified in something. What’s that all about?
You gotta have the skills to pay the bills, as they say. In other words, you’re growing up! Out there in the world you need to know a thing or two and it’s not all stuff you learn from family members. Sometimes it’s nice to have a skill all your own that you can take out there and work with.
Learning how to be certified is something in itself — a process you’ll accomplish. And the next time you hear that you have to be “certified” (outside of camp) you’ll have a sense of what that takes. Certification acts as a confirmed skill to help you perform recognized work.
For your certification we might do lifeguarding/cpr/first aid, or who knows what? It’s one piece of a big LIT experience that you can learn from, enjoy, and use when you go back home in many jobs. We’ll probably even have two options so you get a choice about your certification!
Do I get school credit?
Well, many schools have a service requirement that has to be met over the summers. Or that can be done in the summer and applied to that fall.
Since ‘Ghany Girls are encouraged to serve and share — remember ‘Ghany We Will Give each summer? — we will of course find a way for LITs to be of service to both the ‘Ghany camp community on-site, and also in some capacity in the greater region around Lewisburg/Greenbrier County.
It just makes sense, it’s just nice, it’s just the right thing to do. And the bonus there? There’s no happiness quite like the happiness of helping others! Now THAT is fun!
And yes, if your school seeks service confirmation from outside sources, you can be sure we’ll have that info to communicate to them.
You’ve mentioned trips — what do you mean?
Sometimes we’ll take little trips — maybe a day hike, swimming at Blue Bend, or going into town.
And we’ll take a bigger trip, too!
Maybe it will be a several-day canoeing and camping adventure. Maybe it’ll be spelunking. Visiting another camp. The first summer of LIT we went on a hiking and wilderness trip where we were able to try out new skills, experience some shared independence, worked and bonded as a group, and then kicked back at the end of each day and had a blast together!