Become a CIT for LARP Adventure Program!
One of the best parts about being a part of L.A.P. is not actually attending a LARP.
It’s empowering others and encouraging them to empower themselves, bringing their stories to life, and watching them achieve their own personal legends.
What is a CIT? | What’s it like? | Requirements | Process | Notes for Parents
At the LARP Adventure Program, we pride ourselves on the capability, maturity, and emotional intelligence of our members. In our CIT program, you’ll be working directly with our instructors to help run the programs we offer to students in grades 4 through 9.
Being a CIT at our programs is an opportunity to learn from our instructors, expand your own skills, and take on a leadership role within the L.A.P. community. You might help run LARP games, teach martial arts classes, make props and boffers, or run workshops.
If you’re ready to become a mentor in our community, take on more responsibilities, and encourage self-empowerment through creative play, consider becoming a CIT!
What is a CIT? What do they do?
Being a CIT with LARP Adventure Program is an extraordinary experience, with the potential for great personal and professional development.
CIT stands for “Counselor In Training” but in our programs we also refer to CIT’s as Marshals as one of the prerequisites for becoming a CIT is to enroll in our Marshals Academy®. LAP Marshals hold LARP leadership positions for events and activities. Learn more about the Marshals Academy®
Our program aims to prepare teens for adulthood, college, and beyond. Participants work with younger students through multi-generational learning, by working through community arts. This is a learn-by-doing approach, with guidance from our Instructors. The result is each of us, in our own unique way, learns how to be a community leader and navigate through life.
You can explore your own moral compass so that when you face challenges later in life, you can make informed choices based on your own perceptions and insight.
As a CIT, you’ll directly assist the LAP instructors during the programs’ scheduled days and times. You’ll get special projects, exclusive training, hands-on experience, and most importantly, you’ll be helping and mentoring the youth attending the class, camp or event. You’ll also begin the process to achieve the rank of Assistant Instructor following your graduation from the L.A.P. program.
What’s it like being a CIT?
During our programs youth will learn a variety of interdisciplinary skills, all while in multiple intelligence learning environments. We deliver our values of self-empowerment through a curriculum based on theater, martial arts, and the expressive arts.
Volunteer hours will be recorded and sent to the participant’s school, and recognition shall be given for their accomplishments with this leadership position.
Please Note: CITs are do not have to pay admission for programs where they are scheduled to assist.
At Camp – In Person
Camp programs typically run during consecutive week-long sessions throughout the summer, from early June to late August. Camp runs from 8:00 a.m. / 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. / 5:00 p.m. every weekday, with a field trip / local event one day of the week.
A typical day at day camp would be…
- 9:00 a.m. Check In
- 10:00 a.m. Morning Classes / Activities
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
- 1:00 p.m. Afternoon Classes / Activities
- 4:00 p.m. Pick Up
During an after school class – In Person
After school classes are run weekly, happening on the same day & time each week from September to May. These classes are often held at one of our partner school locations and assist instructors for the duration of the class (1-2 hours).
Online Camps or Classes
Our online programs follow the same schedules and attendance requirements as our in-person classes. CIT’s are expected to log in to the Zoom meetings before class starts and stay a half-hour longer to discuss any questions or concerns with the lead instructors. The technical requirements for online programs will be listed below. Read more about LAP’s online Classes
CIT Requirements Include:
CITs must actively participate in the Marshals Academy® and have the approval of their instructor. If not enrolled in the Marshals Academy®, CITs must hold the express permission of the L.A.P. core staff.
Each CIT commits to their weekly class(es) for the entirety of the program they are assigned to.
Attendance at such classes is mandatory and non-emergency absences should be communicated with at least two weeks’ notice or as soon as possible.
CITs behave in an earnest and appropriate manner, in line with being a role model for the youth enrolled in their class.
CITs uphold the principles of the L.A.P. community and help instill these values in the youth that they will help mentor.
CITs come to class(es) dressed in appropriate attire, representing their rank and the ideal of how a leader should present themselves professionally.
CITs continuously strive for self-improvement and ask for help when needed.
CITs listen to the instruction of their supervisors and respect their position in the classroom.
CITs must be First and CPR certified, or be willing to achieve such certifications at the next available L.A.P. training.
CITs make decisions based on sound judgment and the needs of the individual, community, and globe.
To assist with online programs, CITs must have access to computer or laptop with video conference capabilities (webcam/microphone) and a strong Wifi connection.
CIT Application Process
Several weeks before classes or camps are scheduled to start, high school students enrolled in the Marshals Academy® will be invited to apply for CIT positions at those programs.
Applicants must fill out the form and let us know which classes or camps they are available for before a set due date..
After the due date we will contact applicants to let then know if they’re been accepted into the program.
- Another email will go out after this with the CIT’s schedule. Final schedules are determined by the enrollment for the programs applicants indicated they were interested in.
SPECIAL NOTES FOR PARENTS:
The CIT program provides an opportunity for great personal growth and experience for teens.
This is often the first time a teenager will be in a mentor position within their community, not a student or a child.
This is an empowering experience for any teen.
They’ll volunteer with younger children and help them explore their creativity, build friendships, and achieve their own personal legends.
Volunteering at the programs provides a great opportunity for personal growth, responsibility, and maturation.
Not only is it a wonderful experience, but this kind of volunteering will also be a great addition to college applications and job applications in the future.
Many of our instructors and assistant instructors were once CITs.
They have become creative, mature, and responsible adults, and are valuable assets to our community.