Leaders in Training

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Leaders in Training
(ages 16-18)
Summer camps

Leaders in Training (ages 16-18)

The Leaders in Training program (LIT) provides an opportunity for youth to foster and grow their leadership skills for both in-camp and real-life situations. During the LIT program, participants learn about their own personal leadership style, how to lead and work in a team setting, and develop their communication, problem solving and conflict resolution skills. The program is divided into two segments; the first part is called Discovery and second part is called Venture.

The LITs are encouraged to challenge themselves, try new things, explore new ways of thinking and provide support to each other. Although still considered camp participants, our young leaders in the LIT program are given several responsibilities that have the potential to strengthen their sense of empowerment and independence.

We offer inclusive programming that is age and developmentally-appropriate and accommodate our activities for all ability levels, always free of charge.

Who this camp is for

LIT Discovery is for: 

  • Youth from British Columbia or the Yukon aged 16 to 17 who have been diagnosed with cancer, siblings of those who have, or bereaved siblings.
  • Youth who have not participated in any Camp Goodtimes leadership program before.
  • All participants must have their childhood immunizations up to date. COVID-19 vaccines are strongly recommended but not mandatory. 

LIT Venture is for: 

  • Youth from British Columbia or the Yukon ages 17 to 18 who have been diagnosed with cancer, siblings of those who have, or bereaved siblings.
  • Youth who have participated in a Camp Goodtimes leadership program before.
  • All participants must have their childhood immunizations up to date. COVID-19 vaccines are strongly recommended but not mandatory. 

2025 session dates will be available in December and applications will open in mid January.

Camp life

The LIT program is located at the Loon Lake Research and Education Centre in the heart of UBC’s Malcolm Knapp Research Forest in Maple Ridge, BC. Loon Lake’s peaceful setting allows participants to enjoy all that nature has to offer, including a beautiful private waterfront and forested wilderness.  

LITs sleep in the same dorm as all other participants. The beautiful modern dorm has rooms of various sizes that each fit a few campers and is equipped with electric lights, bunk beds, washrooms and showers. 

The LIT program can accommodate up to 12 participants and there is a minimum of two cabin leaders who are trained by the Camp Goodtimes staff with the group. In addition, we have trained program staff facilitating each activity and qualified medical and social-emotional support on site to ensure that all participants are comfortable and cared for.

LIT Discovery program

  • Runs during the Kids Camp program.
  • Runs during the Kids Camp program.
  • Sessions lay the foundation for youth to develop and grow into their own personal leadership style and teach key components of effective leadership.
  • Participants spend most of the day doing activities with fellow LITs.
  • Participants will get the chance to work directly with the younger campers during the morning sessions

LIT Venture program (returning participants and 18 year olds)

  • Runs during the Kids Camp program.
  • Participants spend the first couple of days with fellow LITs honing their leadership skills and preparing to apply those skills in a camp setting.
  • Participants will then spend most of the time with their desired areas to shadow
  • Participants choose to shadow one of three main areas of camp including being assigned to a cabin and shadowing skips while working directly with the campers
  • Participants continue to work as an LIT group to further expand their leadership and group facilitation knowledge.
  • Participants can receive 15 volunteer hours toward their high school community service award.

Transportation

Most of our participants arrive and depart from camp by car. When you drop your camper off you will have the opportunity to meet their cabin leader, medical team and other members of the staff team.  

We also offer air travel and reimbursement of travel expenses in certain circumstances. Please contact the camp office to find out more.