A Transformational Summer
You’re not just looking for another week at camp — you’re looking to grow. To lead. To make a difference.
The Tapawingo CIT Program is a 4-week experience for 16-17 year old girls who are ready to be challenged and grow holistically. As a CIT, through mentoring, spiritual formation, and opportunities to serve, you’ll grow in leadership and in deeper confidence in who God created you to be.
How You’ll Grow
This isn’t just leadership training. It’s formation for life.
Our Counselor-in-Training program is designed to shape young women who lead with love, live with purpose, and walk closely with Jesus. As a meaningful bridge from camper to staff, the CIT program invites growth in faith, authentic community, and Christlike servanthood.
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• Dive into God’s Word through Bible studies with your cabin—ask honest questions, listen well, and learn from each other.
• Explore spiritual disciplines and discover how to make space for Christ in your everyday life.
• Be encouraged and challenged in your walk with Jesus by counselors who lead with love and truth.
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• Build meaningful, Christ-centered friendships through shared experiences—on camp trails, around the table, and out in the Adirondacks.
• Grow through honest feedback, shared celebrations, and encouragement in your faith journey.
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• Support a cabin for the week by helping lead alongside caring, Christ-centered counselors.
• Lead through service—by stewarding camp, helping with banquet, and stepping in wherever you're needed.
• Grow in confidence as you assist counselors and learn how to lead activities.
Program Breakdown
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The journey begins with intentional time as a CIT cabin. Through team-building challenges, guided discussions, and a multi-day backpacking trip in the Adirondack High Peaks, girls build trust, courage, and lasting friendships. This first week sets the stage for stepping beyond comfort zones and experiencing spiritual, emotional, and physical growth.
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Back at Tapawingo, CITs engage in the rhythms of discipleship and camp life. Through daily Bible study, spiritual disciplines, and behind-the-scenes service, they learn to study Scripture independently and are challenged to take initiative in their personal faith. CITs also discover their unique gifts and explore how God might use them.
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This week brings another Adirondack trip—this time, with opportunities to practice hands-on leadership in the outdoors building on what CITs learned from their counselors during Week 1. CITs help guide trip logistics, spiritual moments, and group dynamics, all while continuing to grow in resilience and dependence on Christ.
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The final week brings it all together as CITs are paired with camper cabins and get to experience the heart of Tapawingo ministry. While shadowing counselors, CITs help plan devotions, learn to lead activities, and walk alongside younger girls—putting into practice everything they’ve learned and preparing them to potentially serve on staff in the future.
How to Apply
Submit Your Application
Complete a short online application so that we can get to know you and why you’re excited about the CIT program.
Provide References
Use the links provided to request two references — one Academic or Professional (teacher, coach, or employer) and one Spiritual (small group leader, pastor, or former Tapawingo staff member).
Interview
Once we receive your application, we’ll reach out to schedule a brief Zoom or phone interview with a Tapawingo staff member — a great chance to connect and ask questions! Once you are accepted, you will register for your session.
Not Sure if You’re Ready?
That’s okay. This program is a chance to step out in faith, trust the Lord, and see Him work in your life.
We’ll walk with you every step of the way.
Your Questions Answered
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The High Peaks are part of the Adirondack Mountains, with many summits reaching over 4,000 feet. These hikes are challenging but achievable—even for beginners! Most CITs arrive with little to no hiking experience.
To help prepare, we recommend working up to running 3 miles at a 10-minute mile pace. You don’t need to be a top athlete, but being in solid physical shape will help you fully enjoy the experience and focus on what really matters.
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CIT is a step forward in maturity and commitment. As with all Tapawingo programs, CITs don’t have phone access between sessions, and parent visits are not part of the experience. However, our staff is always attentive to your well-being and will support you through homesickness or challenges with care and prayer.
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Many of our summer staff—more than one-third—are former CITs! The program gives you a deep understanding of Tapawingo’s mission and leadership culture. That said, all future staff members must go through the same application process, and participation in CIT does not guarantee a staff position.
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No—CITs will not have access to phones or personal devices during the program.
This is intentional. Unplugging allows you to fully engage with your cabin, your community, and your relationship with Christ. While it may feel challenging at first, most CITs say being off their phones was one of the most freeing parts of the experience.
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While at Tapawingo, CITs stay in Grace Peak, a cabin on the mainland of CAMP-of-the-WOODS. During weeks 2 and 4, girls travel by boat to the Island to be part of camp gatherings such as Power Hour, mealtimes, Event Hours and Vespers. CITs on the Island will engage in devotional / leadership trainings led by their leaders and serve in different areas on the Island. On High Peaks trips, CITs camp or backpack, staying overnight in tents or lean-tos.