We are looking for a handful of Counselor-in-Leadership-Training (CILTs)​:

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• We are looking for 1 Tinkering School CILT each week (sorry, not two)

• We are looking for 1-2 Forest Tinkering CILTs each week

• There are more Farm Camp CILT spots in Sun Star Farm Camp too. (Follow link to register for Farm Camp CILT)

 

CILT​ spots go very quickly and we won't be able to accommodate everyone interested.

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YOUR CHILD MUST FIRST APPLY TO BECOME A CILT FOR TINKERING SCHOOL NC/FOREST TINKERING CAMP.  (NO application required to be a FARM CAMP CILT) Please follow details below....

Requirements

• Age 13-15 (CILTs must be age 13 by June 1st)

• Tinkering School CILT must have been a previous TS camper, who is a gung ho builder, can follow instructions, is great at working with other kids, and has previously demonstrated excellent behavior and attitude and would make a solid role model for young campers.

• For Forest Tinkering CILT, we are looking for someone who preferably was or is in Scouting, who LOVES outdoor skills and enjoys to share and help other kids age 9-12.   The more experience they have with flint-knapping arrowheads, starting fires without matches, weaving fishing nets, etc. and LOVE learning/doing these types of activities, the better!  Must have track record of excellent behavior/attitude and would make a solid role model for young campers.

• There are more Farm Camp CILT spots in Sun Star Farm Camp too. (Please follow this link to register online as you normally would. No application required to be a Farm Camp CILT.)

• Must be able to attend a Mandatory 2-hour Training on either Saturday 6/6 or 6/13 prior to camp (3pm-5pm). You need to attend only one of these days, please RSVP to Don in May.

• Please note that we follow the guidelines for the American Camp Association, which require that camp counselors are a minimum age of 16.  

 

CILT’s will…

• Actively participate in camp activities and engage campers.

• Show role model behavior and attitude to the younger campers.

• Learn from counseling staff’s direction, communication, and positive coaching.

• Learn to lead activities under the guidance of camp counselors.

• Demonstrate the ability to plan and implement an activity with campers

• Have free time to pursue their own interests and have lots of fun.

• Participate in an evaluation, assessment and feedback sessions with peers and supervisors

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HOW TO APPLY to be a Tinkering School NC CILT or Forest Tinkering CILT

• CILT participants pay only $275 for the week and have the opportunity to earn back up to a $50 cash stipend at the end of the week, based on their evaluation. 

• Please have your sincerely enthusiastic child email Don (CC parents) to introduce themself, and explain their experience based on the description of position above, and share which week you'd ideally like to register for.  

• Boys are girls equally encouraged to apply.

• As spots fill, I'll update availability on this page:

• TINKERING SCHOOL CILT open weeks remaining: FULL

• FOREST TINKERING CILT open weeks remaining:  FULL
  Upon receipt of your child's application, I'll reply within 48 hours. 

• If accepted and the week works, I'll include the password that you'll need to complete registration on Ultracamp.

• CILT​ spots go very quickly and I'm sorry, but we won't be able to accommodate everyone interested.

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Transfer Requests & Cancellations
Cancellation and Refund Policy is here.  Regarding, CILT transfer requests, since there are so few spots if you have a situation where you need to transfer, just email Don and I'll try to make it work.
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CILT Policies
Our goal is to help counselors-in-training grow personally, professionally and socially.  Through open and constructive feedback, CILT’s will build skills in leadership, communication and work ethic.   We take the CILT program very seriously and reserve the right to remove a CILT from the program if they do not meet expectations or violate Sun Star Farm’s polices and procedures.​

 

Once Your Teen Turns 16…

Our Counselor-in-Leadership Training (CILT) program is designed to help teens develop confidence, responsibility, leadership skills, and experience working with children. As teens grow from ages 13–15, they often mature into stronger counselor candidates each year. Every teen develops at their own pace.

Once your teen turns 16, they are welcome to apply to become an official Sun Star Farm Camp counselor. Please note that participation in the CILT program does not guarantee employment.

Each year, we typically begin interviewing and hiring counselors in February and March. We first invite back our returning counselors, then fill remaining positions with new applicants based on camp needs, leadership ability, maturity, work ethic, and overall fit for our team.

If a first-year 16-year-old is hired, they will typically be scheduled for just 2–3 weeks during their first summer. This allows both the counselor and our leadership team an opportunity to ensure it’s a great fit before expanding responsibilities in future seasons.

Some of our most valued counselors began as campers, continued through our CILT program, and have returned year after year because they genuinely love working with children, caring for animals, and helping create the magical camp experience our families know and love. We are incredibly proud to watch our campers grow into leaders.

If you have any questions, feel free to email.

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