Leaders in Training

Cape Breton session: Summer 2012 TBA
Valley session: Summer 2012 TBA

The Leaders in Training (LIT) program was implemented at Camp reachAbility in the summer of 2011. The objective of the program was to provide individuals with disabilities with an opportunity to build leadership skills while enjoying a traditional camp experience. The program was designed to empower individuals by providing both life and leadership skills, subsequently equalizing the employment field. To propel this initiative, Camp reachAbility offered employment as a junior councillor to those campers whose leadership skills proved exceptional during training week. These campers returned for one week during the summer season to fulfill their roles as junior councillors, providing support and encouragement to both campers and staff.

Fortunately, the Leaders in Training program is not limited to the summer season. The program is a year-long initiative that will extend into the fall and winter of 2011/2012. Each month the Leaders in Training will meet to work on a certification that they’ve chosen to increase their employability in the workforce. LITs will be divided and grouped based on their current a


rea of residence; the Valley, Metro, or Cape Breton County. Their monthly meetings will be held in a central location in each of these regions to better allow for the LITs and their caregivers to transport there. As the goal of the Leaders in Training program is essentially to provide campers with opportunities to improve skills and gain experience that might otherwise be difficult to come by, these monthly meetings will allow reachAbility to continue providing support for their Leaders in Training long after their week at Camp has ended.


Space is limited to 24 campers in ea

ch

 location (Cape Breton & Valley) to afford appropriate mentorship by staff.

LITs will learn the following hard skills:

  • Waterfront activities (swimming, canoe strokes, games, etc.)
  • Game rules
  • Fishing (types of fish, tackle, bait)
  • Nature walks (plants, trails, wildlife)

  • Safety
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Camp fire songs and activities

Soft skills will include:

  • Assertiveness
  • Positive encouragement/reinforcement
  • Positive self-talk
  • Self-awareness

  • Disability awareness
  • Communication styles and techniques
  • Planning and organization
  • Healthy relationships and boundaries

LIT Requirements:

  • 16 years of age and older
  • Cognitive and social capacity to process and respond to camper-based situations
  • Ability to understand instructions and complete tasks

  • Verbal communication skills
  • Strong desire to develop leadership skills
  • Willingness to commit to year round programming in various locations

*Chosen applicants are required to complete an interview prior to acceptance, to determine if the LIT program is a good fit for both the participant and the program.

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For more information about the LIT Program please contact:

Jessica Boutilier
LIT Program Coordinator

(902) 429 – 5878
lit@reachability.org