Camp Kadesh believes in developing young leaders through safe places to learn, grow, and step into leadership opportunities with mentorship and support. Our LIT program is more than just training future staff, our desire is to see young people develop leadership skills beyond the camp context. Participants will learn about leadership through serving behind the scenes, observing leadership in several areas of camp, and getting to step out to use the skills they are learning. They will also get to learn more about spiritual formation and having faith-based friendships. It is a formative program that shows them how to serve their community and step out in confidence in what they believe and what they can do.
For those that have completed the LIT1 program, a second level to our LIT program (LIT2) is available for those wanting to get more experience at camp before becoming staff. Information about LIT 2 can be found here. If you are appling to be an LIT for the first time continue on this page.
LIT1 Applications will open in February 4th, 2025, along with Camper Registration. Applications will be due by Friday, March 21st, 2025. Applicants will have confirmation of their participation in the program by April 15th, 2025.
Before Applying for the LIT Program
Read through all the information on this page to ensure you understand what the program is and are ready to commit to it
Check out our social media to get a feel for the camp and what we do here.
Talk to your friends, family, and community about the LIT program and if it would be a good fit for you this summer
Read our statement of faith and staff conduct expectations to ensure you understand what our camp believes and what expectations are as you enter a staff role. You can read them both here: STATEMENT OF FAITH and STAFF CONDUCT
Find 3 people to be references for you. These references need to be both spiritual references (someone who has walked out faith with you) and a personal reference (like a boss, teacher, coach, etc.). You will need their email addresses. These references CANNOT be family members. We send reference forms based on the information provided
2025 LIT 1 Camp Sessions
Term 1 – July 6th - July 25th
Term 2 – July 27th - August 15th
LIT Program fees: $150. (This fee is discounted off price of a week of Senior Teen if the LIT attends that week of camp)
Applicants for this program must meet the following requirements:
A love of Camp Kadesh
Desire to grow spiritually
Team player with a positive attitude
Prepared to work long hours of manual labour
Completed Grade 9 by the start of the program
Able to commit to the full 3 week program (with some allowances of up to about 48 hours of total absence*)
The process for becoming an LIT is to complete the application and submit 2 references. The Directors of Camp Kadesh and the LIT Coordinators take time to review each applicant and accept those who demonstrate the necessary requirements for this program.
THINGS YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO LEARN AND EXPERIENCE:
A Week in The Life of an LIT:
Every day LITs experience a mixture of serving behind the scenes, learning together, and interacting with campers.
LITs provide the set-up, service, and clean-up for every meal as well as cleaning in the facility. They also have the opportunity to serve in our tuck shop.
LITs participate in 2-3 sessions together each day, having opportunity to learn about things like prayer, reading the Bible, and other faith foundations.
Each week LITs are paired with a camper cabin. They are expected to eat meals with them and connect with campers at free time and during chapel. Once a week they will spend time in their cabin observing cabin leadership.
Through the term LITs will also be scheduled extra time off during meal clean ups and given opportunity to play a game each week with campers. They will also have opportunities to observe how to lead our skill activities and what leadership looks like in other areas of camp. LITs will also get to do a fun activity together each week.
At the end of the term LITs spend two days in debrief, getting to take a break from cleaning to enjoy time together, reflect on their experience, and make goals for going home.
LIT2s spend most of their days with the LITs but sleep in camper cabins as a 3rd leader during the 2nd and 3rd week of their LIT term. They are also required to lead some clean ups and participate more significantly in their cabin times.
Week #1
In Sessions:
This week focuses on building community and learning some basics of Christianity. LITs will talk about their expectations & goals, learn how to share their faith stories and practice praying out loud. They will also learn about such topics as God’s character, the life of Jesus, who the Holy Spirit is.
With Campers:
This is a week of observation, intended for LITs to see through the eyes of a cabin leader. This week LITs will eat meals with them, hang out in free time, sit with them in chapel, observe a cabin time led by your cabin leader, and spend an afternoon doing a special cabin activity with them.
Week#2:
In Sessions:
During this week LITs will learn more about what it means to live a life of faith. They will also learn more about what the Bible is and how to read it and learn about different types of prayer.
With Campers:
LITs will be paired up with a new cabin and participating in similar activities as the week before. LITs will get to sleep over in their campers cabins for one night. If they feel comfortable enough, LITs can participate in their cabin times by reading verses, praying out loud, or sharing their faith story.
Week #3:
In Sessions:
This week LITs will learn more about being a part of a faith community and practices that bring us closer to God. LITs will spend the last half of the week in debrief.
With Campers:
LITs will continue to move from observation to experience in your cabins. LITs will get another chance to stay overnight in your cabin. LITs who feel confident to do so will be invited to participate in leading part of their cabin time. LIT2s will have the expectation of leading the cabin time or a portion of the cabin time on their own if it fits into what the cabin leader has planned for their cabin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who should I use as references?
A: It is good to use folks who have known you in different settings. Teachers, coaches, work supervisors, and youth leaders are great places to start. You cannot use family members.
Q: Is there a deposit or a cancellation fee?
A: There is only the cost of the program. Once an applicant is accepted into the program the $150 fee can be paid online in advance of the session starting. There is no cancellation fee.
Q: When will the applicant know they have been accepted into the program?
A: Applicants should be notified by April 15th 2025 if they have been selected to be in the LIT program. Because of the large number of applicants, it takes some time to process all applications after the deadline.
Q: Can LITs stay at camp on the weekends?
A: LIT participants are expected to leave camp each weekend unless there is very special permission granted by the Directors.
Q: When do I arrive at camp to start the week and leave camp at the end of the week?
A: LITs need to arrive at camp by noon on their first day of their first week. Arrival time of the other 2 weeks will be set by the LIT Coordinators. LITs can leave each Friday at 3:30 pm.
Q: What happens if I have to miss part of the LIT program?
A: When LITs are missing, it impacts the team they are working with and results in them missing out on valued learning. LITs are only allowed to miss 48 hours of the Sunday - Friday part of the LIT program.
Q: What if I want to LIT with my friends?
A: There is a place on the application that you can indicate that this is the case. Though we cannot promise to take this into consideration, it is helpful for us to know.
Q: Am I guaranteed to become a Jr. Cabin Leader after I LIT?
A: No. Just like any position at camp, we evaluate each application every year. We know that development happens in many different ways and we always want to be placing an applicant in a place that they are going to learn and grow best but that will also help us have the most qualified staff for our campers.
Q: What if I don't get accepted to LIT this year?
A: You can apply for our one week Work Crew program from June 29th-July 4th! It's like LIT lite. You can also come to camp as a camper, get involved in The Connection (like the website?), and apply again next year.
Q: Who are the LIT Coordinators?
A: Wouldn't you like to know :) JK We'll announce that soon.
If you have any more questions, please reach out to our Leadership and Discipleship Director, Chandra Styles, at chandra@campkadesh.com