Counselors-in-Training

Counselors-in-Training (CITs) are volunteers at camp who assist color or studio counselors, help guide campers, and provide a welcoming atmosphere in a crucial volunteer role. Many of our counselors begin as CITs and are vital to the ongoing training and development of our youth counselor program. CITs tend to work alongside color counselors but can also be assigned to work in specific studios supporting the studio artists.

CITs become familiar with most aspects of camp and abide by the same staff expectations as all staff, volunteers, and campers. They learn to become counselors by assisting in color groups and in studios throughout the week by supporting campers alongside color and studio counselors. CITs are not guaranteed counselor positions once they are 16, but many apply as counselors. It is helpful, but not necessary, to have been an art camper previously.

CIT Application Available - Due March 26, 2023

CITs earn community service hours for their volunteer time spent developing leadership experience and will receive a Certificate of Service at the end of the summer. We hope to receive a special grant for thank you gift card funding. We are extremely thankful for our CIT volunteers and hope to give each one a small gift card honorarium thank you for their valued multi-week service to camp.

Qualifications for CITs

14 - 15 years of age -- based on our experience, it is important for CITs to take a year or two off between being an art camper and a CIT.
Have experience caring for younger children and some love and passion in one or more artistic areas of interest via their high school or through other lessons.
Attend the required Grace Art Camp Orientation & Training, 9:00 am to 2:30pm Saturday, June 17, 2023 (lunch provided!).
Available to work 2-3 weeks - at least two of the weeks should be consecutive.
Because camp is organized into weekly sessions, full-time attendance for the assigned weeks is required.
The CIT program does not ensure employment as a camp counselor at 16 years of age.
Communicate directly with Grace Institute hiring staff during the application, training, assignment, and performance process.
Are 14 years of age and older, and agree to a background check.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR PARENTS OF CITS

We are happy that you are supporting your child’s interest in joining Grace Art Camp as volunteer staff! It is important for young people to go through the application process themselves – from inquiry to application submission to interview. We are interested in their own perspectives and it is an excellent life skill to develop by initiating contact of their own accord. In this way, we get to know these potential counselors better and begin cultivating a relationship with them from the beginning.

Our most successful counselors embrace this responsibility and enjoy taking ownership in what can be a significant part of their summer as well as into their high school and college years. If you have questions about how you might best support your child through this process, please contact the Camp Director, Amy Gray: amyg@grace-institute.org.

CIT Application (fillable PDF form) available January 31, 2023

Due on or before March 26, 2023, please submit completed 3-page Application and Resume to:
Amy Gray, Camp Director

via email at amyg@grace-institute.org or mail to:
Grace Art Camp, 1535 NE 17^th Ave, Portland, OR 97232

Grace Institute is an equal opportunity employer/organization working toward cultivating a set of attitudes, perspectives, behaviors and policies that continuously promote equity, diversity, inclusion and cultural responsiveness.

Grace Institute does not discriminate in its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, military or veteran status, socioeconomic status, and any other marginalized characteristics protected under applicable federal, state or local law.