The document provides an orientation for Counselors in Training (CITs) at Spirals camp. It outlines that CITs are 7th and 8th graders who assist counselors and participate in camp activities. Their morning duties include cleaning responsibilities. Afternoons are spent participating in camp activities while continuing to assist counselors. Additional details provided include cell phone policy, dress code, role modeling expectations, cleaning responsibilities, equipment handling, camper supervision procedures, and how to address issues like bullying or separation anxiety. CITs must complete a post-orientation questionnaire to confirm their understanding before starting.

1. C.I.T.
ORIENTATION
W E L C O M E TO S P I R A L S C . I . T. P R O G R A M !

2. INTRODUCTION
ALL CIT’S MUST COMPLETE THIS ORIENTATION PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF CAMP AN D ARE
REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE AT THE END OF THIS PRESEN TATION!
• Our Counselor in Training (CIT) program is for 7th and 8th graders; kids who are in the
transition years between being a camper and being an employee. The CIT program
offers kids and introduction into the work environment of the Camp Counselor while
affording them the opportunity to also be a part of the camp activities. They will learn
skills that will benefit them as they move on to Junior Counselor positions in the
future. This is the beginning of a training program for future hires in a paid positions!
• The program is designed for peer bonding and personal development. CIT’s will have
mandatory cleaning responsibilities in the morning and spend their afternoons
participating in camp and camp activities.

3. JOB DUTIES
• Assist the Lead Counselor in teaching skills/techniques of camp activities.
• Lead some camp activities that promote social interaction between ALL campers, sportsmanship, fun and
work to achieve camp goals.
• Actively participate in daily games and activities, facilitate and encourage campers to participate in all
activities as well.
• Treat all campers with the same respect you expect them to treat you. The role of leader can be a challenging
one. Make sure your position remains positive and supportive.
• Escort campers to various camp activities and locations.
• Be responsible for the proper handling of camp equipment.
• Follow the camp dress code.
• Serve as a positive and appropriate role model in personal LANGUAGE, APPEARANCE, and HABITS.
• Help younger children be at ease at camp and with camp activities.
• Be pro-active and show initiative.

4. CELL PHONE POLICY
• Cell phones are the number ONE distraction in this ever changing world of ours. They are
responsible for numerous accidents, neglecting job duties, and life changing distractions. With
that being said, Spirals is a fast paced, high intensity environment with the potential of danger or
accident at every turn. We will require you to turn in your cell phone at the beginning of your
camp day and you will be allowed on your device at lunch and snack. These standards will be
upheld by everyone including camp staff. This eliminates the issue of anyone becoming
distracted and gives the ability to give 100% to any possible situation that may occur, or just
being that positive role model! It also eliminates the issues of your smart phone/ device getting
stolen. We take cell phones very serious here, as the safety of our children and business is
imperative. It is also a licensing issue.
• CONSEQUENCES
• First time offense will come with a verbal warning and will be asked not to return to camp with it.
Any phones calls you should need to make can be made through the office.
• Second offense, you will be taken off the schedule adversely affecting your consideration for hire.
• Third offense, you will not be considered for any paid employee position with Spirals Gymnastics.

5. DRESS CODE• Dress code for being C.I.T. is pretty standard across the board for both male and female. With the few obvious
exceptions, the following are expected and required on a daily basis:
• Your C.I.T. shirt is required everyday. It establishes that you are apart of the program, lets the children know that
you are someone they can rely on or come to if they are in need, as well as establishes professionalism within
yourself and the business.
• Shorts are also required. C.I.T’s spend a lot of time outside. Owing to the combination of activity and the Texas
heat, pants are not an option.
• TENNIS SHOES. TENNIS SHOES. TENNIS SHOES. We can’t stress enough how important they are, especially if
you enjoy riding/working with horses. If you do not have tennis shoes you may NOT participate in any of the
horse activity.
• Ladies are required to have a one piece swimsuit. We understand that looking cute for the summer is important
to you, and we encourage you to express yourself however you and your parents see fit outside of Spirals,
however during your hours with Spirals we ask that you wear a one piece.
• Gentlemen: facial hair and hair must be groomed and kept to the same standards the ladies have if you have
longer hair that can be put in a ponytail. We also ask that you tie your hair up to keep it out of your face and to
also help with the heat.
• Piercings, if any, are fine but we ask that if you have ANY facial piercings you wish to keep to purchase a spacer
for your safety and professionalism. They are relatively cheap and can be purchased on Amazon.
• A WATCH. We require this of all our staff. We run an exact schedule so require everyone to know what time it is
and when to rotate in the event our communications system (walkie talkies) is compromised.

6. WHAT IS A
ROLE MODEL/LEADERSHIP
• 1. A Role Model Shows Passion and Ability to Inspire
Role models show passion for their work and have the capacity to infect others with their passion. Speaking of several of his teachers,
student said, “They’re so dedicated to teaching students and helping students and empowering students. That is such a meaningful
They are always trying to give back to the next generation. That really inspires me.”
• 2. A Role Model Shows a Clear Set of Values
• Role models live out their values in the world. Children admire people who act in ways that support their beliefs. It helps them
how their own values are part of who they are and how they might seek fulfilling roles as adults. For example, students spoke of many
people who supported causes from education to poverty to the environment. Role models helped these students understand the
underlying values that motivated people to become advocates for social change and innovation.
• 3. A Role Model Shows Commitment to Community
• A role model is other-focused as opposed to self-focused. Role models are usually active in their communities, freely giving of their time
and talents to benefit people. Students admire people who serve on local boards, reach out to neighbors in need, vote, and are active
members of community organizations.
• 4. A Role Model Shows Selflessness and Acceptance of Others
• Related to the idea that role models show a commitment to their communities, students also admire people for their selflessness and
acceptance of others who are different from them. One student spoke of her father, saying “He never saw social barriers. He saw
needs and acted on them, no matter what their background or circumstances. He was never afraid to get his hands dirty. His lifestyle
type of service. My father taught me to serve.”
• 5. A Role Model Shows Ability to Overcome Obstacles
• As Booker T. Washington once said, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the
which one has overcome.” Young people need to develop the initiative and skills required to overcome obstacles. A role model will
them that success is possible.

7. CLEANING SCHEDULING AND TAKING
INITIATIVE
• Initiative takes discipline within yourself. It means doing something you know will need to be done and take on the
responsibility yourself and complete the task. We all know that standing by while there is a puddle on the floor or the trash
needing to be taken out is much easier than doing it yourself. But we are a team here at Spirals, when we all work together
summer camp runs like a well oiled machine and maximizes everyone's’ fun. You will have designated times to clean and so
forth, but just know moving forward those are some key factors we will be looking for in the future here at Spirals!
• With that being said, let’s go over some of the cleaning duties and time frame each day. Typically the first half of your day
will be spent playing games, and activities, escorting campers to and from their different rotations, and keeping up with
your designated camp equipment. Each morning you will be given a group and assigned equipment you are responsible for.
• The cleaning portion of the job begins after lunch (12:15) and snack (2:00). These duties will rotate amongst you and the
others as well so you aren’t doing the same thing every day. Some of those duties include:
• Taking out the trash
• Cleaning bathrooms
• Sweeping/Wiping down tables
• Helping to apply bug spray and sunscreen each day
• Walking horses and spraying down helmets, helping get each child ready to ride (if comfortable with horses)
• Vacuuming
We want to make sure you still get to have a fun experience with Spirals and make new friends and memories, but also want to
make sure it is understood this position should also be considered a job and an investment in your future!

8. CAMP EQUIPMENT
Possibly one of the most crucial jobs you have as a C.I.T. is to keep track of the
designated equipment you are assigned to each morning. You will most likely be
assigned to different activities each morning and it will be your job to locate and prepare
the equipment BEFORE rotations begin at 9:45 am. Some of this equipment such as
horse saddles and archery stands will need to be taken to the lower property and require
a bit more setup time, so being on time each morning is important because you don’t
know what you’re responsible for that day until you get to Spirals. We use this
equipment throughout the duration of summer so it is important to keep them in the
best condition as possible. We understand unavoidable things happen, but “losing” them
or leaving them behind is completely avoidable and unacceptable. If equipment is left
unattended for any significant period it is likely to be stolen or lost for good!

9. COUNTING OUR CAMPERS
Since you will be back and forth and in and out of Spirals property, it is easy to lose one
of your kiddos if you are not concentrating. At the end of EVERY rotation you are to
count your kids and present that number to the counselor/activity you are headed to
NEXT. This ensures you arrive with the same number you departed with and you will be
expected to present that number each time. Make sure you actually count each and
every time! It is extremely important we stay on top of this. If you discover one of your
children is missing, bring the remaining children to your nearest adult quickly (which will
likely be the direction you are already headed). After you have safely dropped off the
other children, locate the camp director immediately.

10. HELPING CAMPERS
Bullying:
A bully is a person who purposely tries to hurt others by:
· Making them feel uncomfortable.
· Hurting them by kicking, hitting, pushing, tripping, etc.
· Name-calling.
· Spreading nasty rumors.
Who do bullies Pick on?
· Kids they feel are smaller.
· Kids they think won't stand up to them.
· Kids that have few friends to stand up for them.
If you see a camper you feel is being bullied, help them to make friends or meet others in the
group and tell a counselor immediately what you witnessed that you felt was bullying.
Separation Anxiety:
Changes in surroundings, such as coming to camp for the first time can trigger separation anxiety.
You may see a child that seems upset and worried about having Mom or Dad leaving them. Being
nice and helping them make the transition by getting their minds off the situation and onto
making friends is one way you can be helpful in this situation.

11. C.I.T ORIENTATION QUESTIONNAIRE
The questionnaire is the other link that was with this video. It is a pdf file
named C.I.T. Questionnaire. Print the document and answer the questions.
Sign it and have one of your parents look it over and sign it as well. Once
it is completed, bring the questionnaire to Spirals and turn it in. You will
be given your C.I.T. shirt and be ablr to purchase additional shirts as well.
They are $8.00 per shirt.
We are excited to work with you and look forward to a great summer!