Leaders In Training
About Leaders in Training
Leaders in Training is a camp unlike any other that we offer for 15-to-19-year-olds. This camp is our most focused opportunity on growing in faith; giving campers the opportunity to ask hard questions and helping them discover how Jesus is calling them to serve. LIT will also encourage participants to grow in character, resiliency, and in leadership.
LIT takes place at Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House focusing on spiritual growth and maturity, leading and serving others, practical skills at camp (onsite and on out trip) and finding the unique story that Jesus has given them to share.
Week three of LIT is a focused practicum, where participants are supported and mentored in practically applying their leadership skills during a session of summer camp. All participants will stay at Pioneer Ranch for their practicum and will work in a role that makes sense for their interests, skills, and development. This may include working as a cabin leader, wrangler, program support, kitchen help, and more. The specific role will be worked out with the LIT directors and participants during LIT time.
These camps will both include significant times in Bible discussions, individual discipleship opportunities, opportunities to practice leadership in tangible ways, and a whole lot of fun along the way!
LIT Sample Schedule
- 8:00 am Wake Up
- 8:30 am Breakfast/Clean-up
- 9:30 am – 12:00 pm Scripture Study
- 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm Free Time
- 12:30 pm Lunch/Clean-up
- 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm Seminar/Leadership Training
- 2:30 pm Snack
- 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm Out-Trip Leadership Skills***
- 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm Free Time
- 6:00 pm Supper/Clean-up
- 7:30 pm – 8:45 pm Small Group Time
- 8:45 pm Snack
- 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm Evening Gathering
- 10:30 pm Cabin Time
- 11:00 pm Lights Out
Note:
Schedules provided are samples only. Schedules are weather dependent and may be adjusted due to changing weather conditions or due to other camp needs as they arise.
Application Process
Part of developing leadership is the ability to self-evaluate, acknowledging where you are at physically, emotionally, and spiritually. As such, LIT is unlike other camps in that it requires an interview and a longer application.
To apply for LIT, please fill out the online application and follow the instructions listed. Successful applicants will submit a completed application form, references and complete an interview. Please note that LIT applications serve as a request to participate in the program and do not guarantee a spot. Once we’ve received your application and references, the LIT director will be in touch for an interview.
*LIT participants ages 18+ will be required to submit a police check with a vulnerable sector check as part of the LIT application process.
Note: A deposit is required at the time of application; with the remainder of the fees to be paid upon acceptance into the program (various payment plans are available). Should an applicant not be accepted into the program, the deposit will be refunded.
Program Components
Week three of LIT is a focused practicum, where participants are supported and mentored in practically applying their leadership skills during a session of summer camp. All participants will stay at Pioneer Ranch for their practicum and will work in a role that makes sense for their interests, skills, and development.
This may include working as a cabin leader, wrangler, program support, kitchen help, and more. The specific role will be worked out with the LIT directors and participants during LIT time. During the practicum LITs will participate in debrief sessions focused on challenges of the day, opportunities for growth, leadership, and child development.
Out-trips are an integral part of the culture at Pioneer Camp Alberta and a key to the experience of nature that campers come to know and love. Out-trips are about skill development, personal growth and developing leadership skills.
During week two of LIT, participants will go on a 6 night out-trip. The first two nights will be the whole group together learning basic out-trip and back country leadership skills. The last four nights participants will choose either backpacking, canoeing, or riding and focus on the development of skills in these different tracks.
Participants will stay in tents, food will be cooked over fires or small stoves, and significant personal growth will happen as campers are challenged by the realities of being in the outdoors.
This is a chance for you to debrief the program and have small group discussions on relevant topics such as, the role of personal character in leadership, how to handle hardship and struggles in leadership, how to deal with difficult people and situations, relevant societal topics and more. These discussions will help you learn valuable facilitation skills, giving each person a better understanding of issues that you encounter in the world.
This is a chance for staff to spend time with you, talking about life and what you are experiencing at LIT. The LIT staff will be there to support, encourage and challenge you as you grow in your faith and as a leader.
At Pioneer Camp we believe we are deeply known by Jesus and can get to know Him deeply, too! We believe we should follow Jesus’ teaching to love God and love our neighbours, so we spend time looking at what the scripture can teach us about how to know God better and how we should live. These sessions are a foundational part of the Leaders In Training Program.
A large component of LIT is to prepare you for service at camp throughout the rest of the summer. The LIT camp directors will be happy to discuss a good place for you to serve throughout the duration of summer.
Program FAQ
- 15-19-year-olds who have an active and growing faith.
- Someone open to having their views of leadership and service challenged.
- Someone who desires to be a person of influence, not only in official camp capacities but also in everyday life.
During the course of the program, LIT is held at BOTH Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House and Pioneer Lodge, Sundre.
Fill out the online application and references as soon as possible.
We prefer all applicants to have applied by May 15th at the latest. This allows adequate time for your references to respond and for Directors to schedule interviews prior to the start of the LIT camp session.
Registration for LIT closes on June 15th. Call the Office if you have missed the deadline. 403-638-2660.
If you wish to apply for LIT following this date, please call the Office (403-638-2660).
Reference information is collected in our online application.
Once your application has been received, reference forms will be electronically sent by the Camp Office to the reference names provided. Please ensure that their contact information is correct.
LIT is an interview-based acceptance program.
The online application is only the first step in the process, so your place is not reserved.
You must complete the online application, ensuring that you have provided correct contact information for your references. Once both your application AND references have been received, an interview will be scheduled with the LIT Director.
Applicants invited to the interview stage will be notified within two weeks of their interview date regarding their acceptance.
LIT Training Program: All LITs will be doing the first portion of the LIT program together at Pioneer Ranch. LITs should arrive at camp on the first day of the program between 10:00 am – 10:30 am.
LIT Placement Week/Practicum & Pick-Up Details:
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- LIT Practicum will take place at Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House during the last week of LIT. Pick-up is 4:00 pm on Saturday, July 18th at Pioneer Ranch. (Click Here for Directions to Ranch.)
You can view the packing list here.