Cedarbrook Camper Divisions – PISCATAWAY
One major key to our campers’ success is our personalized camper’s experience. We have developed age appropriate programs and trips which ensures each child has a healthy, safe and fun summer camp experience!
We have 5 Camper Programs:
Pioneers: For campers ages 3-5
The Pioneers division is set aside specifically for our youngest campers (ages 3-5). This is a special division where children are nurtured, encouraged, and safeguarded. Under constant and careful supervision, all Pioneer campers are led by experienced adult and collegiate counselors. All of the Counselors in this program are exceptionally patience, nurturing and caring. We have carefully created a unique and specialized program that ensures our youngest campers have a perfect blend of tender care and adventure. Our staff is keenly aware of each Pioneers’ need and energy level. A little nurturing and hand holding along with loads of fun activities keep the biggest smiles on the littlest faces!
Adventurers: 1st & 2nd Grade Campers
Adventurers are campers entering the 1st and 2nd Grade. This group under constant and careful supervision, are led by experienced adult and collegiate counselors. Adventurers are encouraged to participate in a wide range of cultural, sport and craft activities. The limited number of campers in each group allows the counselors to give the right amount of individualized attention to each camper. Adventurers participate in Cedarbrook's "Freedom of Choice" elective program which gives campers the opportunity to participate in 3 activities per week that they like and get to choose themselves!
Voyagers: 3rd And 4th Grade Campers
Voyagers is our division for campers entering the 3rd and 4th grades. This group is carefully supervised by our experienced adult and collegiate counselors. Voyagers campers are encouraged to explore activities that will challenge their abilities and broaden their skills in sport and craft activities. The limited number of campers in each group allows the counselors to give individualized attention to each camper as needed. Voyagers participate in Cedarbrook's "Freedom of Choice" elective program which gives campers the opportunity to participate in 3 activities per week that they get to choose for themselves!
Explorers: 5th & 6th Grade Campers
Explorers is the division that is set aside for campers entering the 5th and 6th grades who gets to tailor their Cedarbrook experience even more! While our younger campers need more guidance, our older campers are ready to create their own summer schedule of fun so that they can make friends while achieving personal goals in areas that interest them the most. Explorers participate in Cedarbrook's "Freedom of Choice" elective program which gives campers the opportunity to participate in 4 activities per week!
Teen Quest: 7th - 9th Grade Campers
For campers entering the 7th and 9th grades, we offer Teen Quest!, a program designed to meet the complex and diverse needs of the maturing camper. Beyond participating in weekly special events and traditional events such as Color War and others, senior campers have more "Elective" choices than any other campers, as well as "Group" choice activities. This flexibility gives Teen Quest campers the ability to customize their schedule to meet the interests of each individual, thus doing more of what they want to do, when they want to do it!
Counselor in Training - 10th - 11th Graders
Our Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Leadership Program is for energetic and motivated teenagers (ages 15 to 16) interested in learning and developing leadership skills working with children in a camp setting. This program is designed so that CITs develop leadership skills through direct supervision, regular conferences with their instructors/onsite director, and a hands-on experience engaging with campers. The goals of this program are to provide teens with training and skills to become effective leaders, improve self-confidence, learn public speaking skills in a group setting, assist children in a camp environment, and excel at handling responsibility at camp. This program prepares teens for future work experience, motivates them to be effective role models resulting in a fun and productive summer, and is a great resume builder!
The Minimum Required Participation: Our CIT program is available for a minimum 4 week enrollment up to all 8 weeks.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Teenagers ages 16-17 interested in participating in the CIT Program must go through an application process. In order to be accepted into the program, the applicant must register for our CIT program online.
Since most of the interviews are the first interview for these applicants, interviews are designed to be a friendly and positive experience. After the interview, the decision for acceptance is made shortly after the interview.
Upon acceptance into the program, a formal letter of acceptance is provided (detailing the CIT’s summer schedule). At orientation, the CITs become CPR/First Aid certified, receive their CIT Handbook, discuss leadership skills, and train for camp! CITs participating in Specialty Camps may train in these specialty areas. Upon completion of training, our CITs are ready to embark on a great summer experience!
CIT SUMMER EXPERIENCE AT CAMP:
During the summer, CITs engage with campers under the close supervision of their lead instructor and the camp director. One main goal of the CIT Leadership Program is for the lead instructors and CITs to develop strong professional interactions where the CITs learn from their instructors at camp and continue to improve their leadership skills each day. CITs are encouraged to be hands-on and are grouped with campers based upon age, ability, and experience level. CITs are also encouraged to write daily journal entries pertaining to their camp experiences, and these entries are discussed at weekly leadership conferences between the CIT, lead instructor, and the camp director. The leadership conferences are a great way for instructors and the camp director to work with the CIT on his/her leadership skills and performance at camp.
Under the supervision of our experienced staff, CITs assist campers with camp activities, help with organizing materials and supplies, think creatively, share ideas, and act as positive role models for campers. CITs are hands-on, grouped with younger campers, and choose the specialty camp or camps where they want to be placed. CITs may assist in teaching campers to do things like baking a cake, using proper technique when passing and receiving a soccer ball, building and programming robots, and so much more!
A junior counselor position is not a guarantee for all CIT's. Exceptional CIT's will be given first preference to interview for all junior counselor positions the following year.