Those middle teen years can offer a conundrum for parents and kids alike. Teens ages 14 and 15 are hardly children anymore, but they are still too young to work in most jobs. Michael Kurland, youth sports and activities manager with Manheim Township Recreation and Park Planning Department, has a solution.

During the summer of 2021, Kurland ran Manheim Township's first Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program. With experience from previous positions he had held, Kurland created a pilot program that discusses responsibilities, teaches skills, and prepares young people for paying summer camp counseling jobs when they are of age. "It went fantastic," recalled Kurland. "We had 10 kids, and they were at Overlook Day Camp." Kurland said that three CITs worked per week of day camp and that they were assigned to various age groups. "Each (CIT) got at least two weeks' experience and some obviously got more," he said, adding that the CITs gathered supplies, set up games, and helped counselors in other ways. "They did great," Kurland said.

Registration for 2022 CIT training is open. Kurland would like to have up to 25 CITs take part this year. He will hold a two-day introductory training session in May for registered students. "We talk about the leadership roles they will be stepping into," said Kurland. "They're no longer campers. They are now taking on that mentoring role." Kurland added that he will run through camp games with the trainees and talk about schedules and locations. This year, Kurland will add CITs at park programs at four locations - Stoner Park, Community Park, Nitrauer Elementary School, and Reidenbaugh Elementary School.

Following training, CITs will be instructed where to report for their first day, and they will receive a CIT shirt to distinguish them from the campers. "They are assigned an age group to work with for the entire week, so the kids get to know (the CITs), and they can start building those relationships," Kurland said. "Each week all the counselors get together and choose a CIT of the Week, and the CIT gets an award with that," he added.

Counselors who serve at the at Overlook Day Camp are age 18 and up. Park counselors are age 16 and up.

Working as a CIT can give a teenager a taste of becoming part of the workforce. "It's to get them experience and see how they work," said Kurland. "When they are 16, I already know them and what their work ethic is (if they apply for a counselor position)." Kurland added that CIT training is a boost to a student's future resume.

Students who are interested in becoming Manheim Township CITs must register at http://www.manheimtownship.org by Friday, April 15. A cover letter and two references, and background checks are required. There is a cost to take part in the program.