Summer and vacation camps 
for kids and teens, located in Waltham, MA

The Leadership Training Program (LTP) at Running Brook is designed for 7th, 8th and 9th graders who enjoy working with younger children, who are interested in learning more about themselves as leaders, and who are open to a dynamic group experience.

Over the course of two summers with us, our LTPs go through a progression of training and learning opportunities that we believe will not only help to prepare them for the opportunity to work with young children at some point in the future, but will also develop their skillset as leaders, their confidence among their peers, and their character within the broader community.  This is not intended to be a CIT program, where the primary intention is to become counselors here at Running Brook or at any other camp.  While many participants in the program have gone on to become camp counselors with us, our goal is to focus on various aspects of leadership, helping participants to enhance their self-awareness and confidence as leaders that will hopefully translate into a variety of settings.
"My son is a very shy/nervous kid. The LTP program was great for him in reaching beyond his comfort level in situations where he would have normally shy'd away. I have seen tremendous strides in his confidence in the few short weeks he was involved."

How do I apply for the program?

Students who are applying for their first summer in the program must complete a written application. After the application is reviewed by our LTP Director, the candidate may be contacted for a face-to-face interview, particularly if we have not known them as a camper. If the candidate displays the appropriate readiness for the demands and responsibilities of the program, and there is an available space, they will be accepted to the program. The LTP’s are then required to attend a training day with the LTP Director during the week before the start of camp in June, regardless of which weeks of the program they will be attending.

At the end of their first summer in the program, each LTP will be given a formal written evaluation of their work by the LTP Director, which includes whether or not they are being recommended for a second year in the program. Those students invited for a second summer will receive a letter during the following winter inviting them back, and therefore they do not need to have another face-to-face interview.

For an application to our LTP program, click here:  LTP Application

So what do LTP's do at camp?


First-year and second-year LTPs follow different schedules and have different learning opportunities and experiences within their group. First-year LTPs are assigned to work with younger camper groups for the first half of each camp day, typically working with the same group for a one or two-week span.  They may also be assigned as an assistant to a specific activity specialist if this is of interest to them and when deemed to be an appropriate fit by our LTP Director.  They work within their group or activity assignment for the entire morning, Monday - Friday.  LTPs receive direct and ongoing feedback and supervision from the group counselors (or specialist) with whom they are assigned, as well as from the LTP Director. The LTPs reconvene as a group for lunch and then spend their afternoons following a structured schedule of regular camp activities. For our Friday afternoon special events, LTPs join in the fun and are also given the opportunity to choose to assist in the activities with the younger campers.  A good portion of the week for the LTPs is also spent debriefing and processing their experiences with campers in the mornings, engaging in team-building activities and discussion/self-reflection activities focused on leadership styles.
Second-year LTPs spend their mornings at camp in a variety of different learning contexts. They will have the opportunity to go off-campus for some community service, they will have some classroom-based instruction from different camp administrators, and they will have some experiential, adventure-based activities off-campus. Each day, they will spend their afternoon assigned to work with a younger camper group or an activity specialist, so that they still spend a large percentage of their time in direct work with our campers.

Although a large number of our current Junior Counselors were participants in the Leadership Training Program at some time, participation does not guarantee a position working on staff at Running Brook. Rather, the primary goals of the program are to build self-awareness and self-confidence, to learn and enhance leadership skills within a camp environment and to have fun and grow through a dynamic group experience.

My daughter joined the Running Brook community for the first time as an LTP1. The staff and campers made her feel comfortable immediately. She loved doing community service, working with the campers and making new friends. She gained so much self-confidence in such a short time.

RUNNING BROOK CAMPS AT CHAPEL HILL - CHAUNCY HALL SCHOOL


785 Beaver St.
Waltham, MA 02452
Phone: 781-314-0994
Fax: 781-894-5706
Email: runningbrookcamp@chch.org

Director: Jim Bellanca, L.M.H.C.

Office Hours: We are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Please give us a call with any questions that you have, or to schedule a personal tour.