CITs (Counselors-in-Training)
Leadership Camping Trip at Blind Lake Campground July 20th-24th & camp (through Aug. 1st)
Expanding the Camping Experience
Experienced campers ages 15-17 are invited to apply for this incredible leadership experience as they bridge the summer camp experience from camper to counselor.
At the stunning Blind Lake Campground, up to 6 Counselors-In-Training will challenge themselves to try new things, lead their peers, develop teamwork, and share spiritual reflections before joining the adult Camp Leaders at Camp Mack for another week of summer camp excitement.
The Whole Itinerary:
July 20th-Aug 1st
Monday, July 20th:
10am- Meet at Hyde Park Union Church for orientation & gear check
12pm- Leave for Blind Lake Campground, sack lunch en route
4pm- Arrive at Salamonie Reservoir, 1.5 mile hike to campsite
5pm onward- Set up tents and cook dinner
Tues, Weds, Thurs, July 21-23rd:
Day hikes and leadership activities
Friday, July 24th:
8am- Break camp & hike out
10am- Leave for Camp Mack, lunch en route
5:30pm- Dinner & begin Camp Leader Training at Camp Mack
Saturday, July 25th:
Camp Leader training at Camp Mack
Sunday, July 26-Saturday, Aug 1st:
Serve as CITs during camp
Bus drop off at First Baptist Chicago or North Shore Baptist
Meet the Wilderness Guide
Jonathan Malone is an American Baptist minister, hiker, musician, and parent. He has been leading young people and groups on wilderness trips for several years. He is the founder of Wilderness Journeys, where camping is his ministry.
Jonathan was a Boy Scout, is a 46er (Adirondacks), a 48er (White Mountains), and has thru-hiked many trails including 700 miles of the Appalachian trail. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder through NOLS, and spends countless weeks, days, and hours in the wilderness trying to find God. He keeps looking and welcomes you to join him.
Gear & Packing List
This is a different style of camping from summer camp, and it requires some different gear to have a safe and more comfortable experience. However, no one will be turned away for not having the right gear. Please do not let the packing list deter you from applying.
Between Wilderness Journeys and Outdoor Ministries, we will make sure our CITs have what they need for the campout.
That said, if you have any *extra* gear on the list you're willing to let us use that week, please let us know!
Sponsorship
This one-of-a-kind program was developed specifically for this rising group of devoted campers as they expand their horizons into leadership. Right from the outset, Wilderness Journeys committed its own grant for youth leadership development to this project. Inspired and energized, the Outdoor Ministry Committee earmarked a portion of its endowment payout for this brand-new program.
Required Forms
