Youth Leader Programs
Mission
To provide teens with the opportunity to work on leadership skills and develop an understanding of what it takes to become a leader in a camp setting.
Staff Development Program (SDP)
Residential Camp Leadership Program
The Staff Development Program (SDP) is a comprehensive 3-year service learning and leadership experience for adolescents. The Staff Development Program provides positive, challenging experiences in which teens are called upon to act as leaders while maturing and expanding their individual development. The program provides tools that enable participants to more effectively work in teams and influence others toward a common goal.
The Staff Development Program teaches more than just how to be a great camp counselor; the program promotes leadership development. Our leadership program focuses on building determined, thoughtful, resourceful, and caring individuals. As they grow through our program, it is our intention to help them become respectable, honest, positive, and compassionate leaders as they travel on the road of life.
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The Staff Development Program consists of three different levels, each requiring the completion of the level below. Everyone must start at the CIT level regardless of their age. The applicant must be 15-years-old by June 20th to apply for the CIT level. Successful completion may result in a role on the PLYC staff, but the primary purpose of the program is the development of leadership skills.
Camper In Training (CIT) - First year in the program. Applicants must be 15-years-old by June 20th. Attends camp as a member of the SDP program for 1 week for $880 for 2026.
Leader In Training (LIT) - Second year in the program. Attends camp for 2 weeks as an SDP for $880 for 2026.
Assistant Counselor (AC) - Third and final year in the program. Attends camp for 3 weeks as an SDP at no cost.
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We want the SDPs to focus on their personal growth when they are in the program, but we also acknowledge that this program is a competitive one. SDPs will be compared with one another based on their abilities in all areas of camp, and this will decide whether or not they will be accepted back the next year. This goes for those who complete the program as well. Even if participants complete all three levels of the program, it does not guarantee them a spot on PLYC staff.
Youth Leadership Training (YLT) Program
The Youth Leadership Program is a comprehensive 4-year service training and leadership experience for adolescents. The YLT program provides positive, challenging experiences in which teens are called upon to act as leaders while maturing and expanding their individual development. The program provides tools that enable participants to more effectively work in teams and influence others toward a common goal.
The YLT program is designed for adolescents who are dedicated to camp, love working with kids, and have a lot of energy to give. The program teaches more than just how to be a great camp counselor; it also promotes leadership development. Our leadership program focuses on building determined, thoughtful, resourceful, and caring individuals, while getting volunteer hours and developing lifelong friendships and leadership skills.
Day Camp Leadership Program
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Scout: First year in the program. All new applicants begin at this level. Current enrollment in 8th grade, freshman, sophomore, or junior year of high school and age 14 by June 15. Scouts are assigned 2 sessions. One session is a training week called Scout week, which will be a predecided week during the summer. The second week will be scheduled based on individual availability. The cost is $TBD for 2026.
Youth Leader (YL): Second year in the program. Must complete Scout level to apply. YL’s will be assigned 2 sessions based on individual availability. The cost is $TBD for 2026.
Junior Counselor (JC): Third year in the program. Must complete Scout and YL level to apply. JCs will be 3 sessions based on individual availability. The cost $TBD for 2026
Achiever: Fourth year in the program. Must complete Scout, YL, and JC level to apply. Achievers will be assigned 4 sessions based on individual availability. The cost is TBD for 2026.
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The YLT program helps participants grow while having fun interacting with children and enjoying camp activities in a new way. We want YLTs to focus on their personal growth while participating in the program rather than focusing on moving on to a staff role. There are PLYC staff that were YLTs, but the focus is on skill-building, leadership experience, and service-learning to better prepare them for the rest of their high school experience and beyond.
