CIT- 14 & 15 yr olds Summer Camp 2015

06/15/2015 - 08/14/2015

Category

Summer Camp

Summary

Monday 8:30am-3:15pm
Tuesday 9:00am-4:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am-3:15pm
Thursday 9:00am-4:00pm
Friday 9:00am-3:15pm
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Description

Counselors in Training (CIT) – ages 14 & 15

Monday            8:30am-3:15pm
Tuesday           9:00am-4:00pm
Wednesday       9:00am-3:15pm
Thursday           9:00am-4:00pm
Friday               9:00am-3:15pm

Counselor in Training is an opportunity for our older campers to take on a leadership role at Earthplace. CITs will spend their days shadowing and aiding counselors in the Hummingbirds, Woodpeckers, Falcons and Owls. The CIT’s assigned group will rotate weekly so they can explore working with different age groups.

A CIT week is designed to incorporate all the behind-the-scenes aspects of running a camp. Mondays start early to prepare for the week and afternoons run later to allow for clean-up. Additionally, on Tuesdays and Thursdays CITs participate in workshop training where they discuss events of the day, camper behaviors and ways to handle various situations. During this time CITs can ask questions about leadership and participate in role-playing situations.

The CIT program introduces participants to the challenges and rewards of entering the workforce and helps prepare them for their first job. As a first step, prospective CITs must apply to and be interviewed for a place in the program. This exposes applicants to the job seeking process while helping Earthplace learn about their interests, skills and goals. Accepted CITs must commit to at least two consecutive sessions of camp. Please find the CIT Application Form in this handbook, and call 203-557-4400 to set up an interview before registering.

Session Themes

At Earthplace Summer Camp, our week-long sessions are designed to bring nature alive for campers. Each week’s theme is developed to be engaging and fun, while instilling a sense of wonder and responsibility for the natural world. Campers will also enjoy weekly spirit days and camp-wide sing-alongs to foster camp spirit and camaraderie.

June 15-June 19 - Mammals, Spirit Thursday: Mismatch Day
Mammals are fun and fluffy animals. This week we will learn all about the mammals that live here at Earthplace.  Some mammals are wild, and some mammals can be pets.  We will learn from the Earthplace animal care technicians how to care for mammals as pets.

June 22-June 26 - Farms, Spirit Thursday: Plaid & Denim Day
How does the food we eat get from the farm to our dinner table? This week at camp, we will learn about local produce, and we will discover how farmers grow and harvest their crops. We will also get our hands dirty in the vegetable garden at Earthplace when we harvest our own crops and get to taste a delicious local bounty.

June 29-July 3 – Invertebrates, Spirit Thursday: Crazy Hat Day
Did you know that of the over one million animal species in the world, more than 98% are invertebrates? The word invertebrate means “without a backbone.” Insects, arachnids and crustaceans are all examples of invertebrates. This week we will analyze the invertebrates that live here at Earthplace and those that live in the wild.

July 6-July 10 - Space, Spirit Thursday: Backwards Day
A scientist who studies outer space is called an astronomer.  What are the tools that scientists use to study space? What makes each planet unique? Become a space explorer and uncover how our solar system works! This week we will learn about the stars, the planets, the sun and the moon.

July 13-July 17 - Dinosaurs, Spirit Thursday: Safari Day
What are the unique characteristics of each dinosaur? How do scientists study dinosaurs? This week we will observe, study and touch the fossils in our museum collection. We will also investigate our resident birds and reptiles to discover which animal is the closest living relative of the dinosaurs.

July 20-July24 - Oceans, Spirit Thursday: Hawaiian Shirt Day
Did you know the ocean is the largest animal habitat on the planet? This week we will learn just how diverse the world’s oceans are and examine what makes Long Island Sound unique. What are the threats to the health of Long Island Sound, and what can we do to help?

July 27-July 31 - Birds, Spirit Thursday: Inside-out Day
Did you know that birds have hollow bones, and that they may be descended from dinosaurs? This week we will determine what else makes birds unique. We will study the Earthplace Birds of Prey, and we will locate wild birds in the forest.

August 3-August 7 – Life Cycles, Spirit Thursday: Pajama Day
How do tadpoles turn into frogs? How do caterpillars become butterflies? How does a plant grow from a tiny seed? This week we will learn all about life cycles. We will examine the plants and animals that live here in our pond and discover how living things change as they grow.

August 10-August 14 – Go Green, Spirit Thursday: Green From Head to Toe Day
This week, be Green with Earthplace as we discover all the things we can do for a healthier environment. What does it mean to reduce, reuse, and recycle? How can we pack a trash-free lunch? What are some alternate energy sources? Learn about the Earthplace Solar Array to see how using alternative energy is one way to go green.