Counselors in Training
Program
Learn to lead in an exciting outdoor setting!
C.I.T.s develop and practice skills in leadership, critical thinking, communication, conflict resolution, and organization by working directly with camp teachers.
Counselor in Training (Saplings)
For rising 7th-9th graders
Words in the Wild C.I.T.s build relationships with both campers and teachers while exploring beautiful outdoor spaces in the heart of Oakland. Our camp targets reading and writing skills through scientific investigations of both the natural world and linguistics, so C.I.T.s have a special opportunity to build these skills themselves while guiding younger learners as leaders and role models. On a daily basis, C.I.T.s will help teachers maintain a fun and safe environment with the chance to lead and assist campers in games, arts and crafts, nature observations, and science experiments. They will demonstrate core camp values of respect and kindness to nature and to others.
Counselors in Training will participate in a special Words in the Wild orientation and complete online First Aid and CPR training (dates TBA), as well as an online playground safety course before the start of camp.
Words in the Wild CITs: Saplings
Rising 7th-9th graders can be part of our Counselor-in-Training program
2024 Dates:
Session 1: 06/17/2024 - 06/28/2024 (No Camp June 19)
Session 2: 07/01/2024 - 07/12/2024 (No Camp July 4)
Session 3: 07/15/2024 - 07/26/2024
Session 4: 07/29/2024 - 08/08/2024
Camp runs from Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, with options for before & aftercare
Young counselors will have plenty of opportunity to…
Lead storytime sessions
Assist with book choices
Coordinate storytime
Help manage young campers
Plan and teach camp activities
Lead arts and crafts for campers
Brainstorm games to teach campers
Sing and dance
Lead mindful explorations of the natural world
Build relationships with campers, teachers, and fellow CITs
Develop confidence, professional skills, and comfort with leadership
The beauty of this camp is that literacy is embedded in hands-on garden science and connected to arts, cooking, and other enrichment activities. Children boost essential reading and writing skills, but it just feels like a fun, messy, and memorable summer camp experience!
How is Words in the Wild summer camp unique?
Evidence-based: Structured Word Inquiry approach to language and literacy development
Student Centered: Taught by educational therapists and graduate students with experience connecting with diverse learners
Strengths-based: A family intake conversation helps us get to know the child’s interest, hobbies, and skills
Hesitant readers and writers thrive in this nurturing environment by using their literacy skills for meaningful activities like reading about the life cycle of worms in order to care for our worm bin, documenting changes in the garden, and learning about the natural wonders that surround them.
Emergent (left) and advanced (right) examples of a matrix and accompanying word sums for the base <call>, along with a self-portraits, inspired by Maya Cristina Gonzalez’s book Llamame Árbol/Call Me Tree.
What else do you offer?
Check out some of our free downloads for fun activities you can do with your kids now!
1:1 Ed Therapy
If your child needs more support, educational therapy deepens reading and writing skills through individualized instruction with a teacher who specializes in emerging readers. We use a Structured Word Inquiry approach to build a deep and lasting understanding of English spelling and vocabulary in order to ultimately improve reading comprehension. Recent research has shown that teaching through morphology is more effective than phonics alone, and in particular for students with learning differences.
More About Us
Words in the Wild in a nonprofit 510(c)(3) that brings reading and writing to the great outdoors for all children. This unique program was created and is staffed by Words in the Wild educational therapists, reading specialists, and naturalists.
Teachers
Campers are led by teachers with specialized training, including Words in the Wild teaching fellows and lead teachers Alexis Filippini and Ryan Nepomuceno, as well as experienced St. Paul’s camp teachers.
Our Teaching Fellows are graduate students and experienced educators participating in on-going training in strengths-based reading instruction through the Words in the Wild Fellowship Program.
All teachers have passed comprehensive background checks.
Safety Protocols
Our program takes place largely outdoors and is a very low risk for virus transmission. However, we will still take high levels of precaution around personal health and follow in accordance with St. Paul’s health and safety guidelines.
Day porters will maintain a high level of cleaning and disinfecting throughout the day, and the cleaning service will clean and disinfect all areas of campus nightly. Staff and campers who will be in the park or on excursions will have disinfecting and cleaning supplies.
Only authorized personnel will be allowed on campus. Delivery personnel have a designated area to drop off packages.
In addition to all of the above protocols, St Paul’s asks all parents to abide by their Community Promise and Covid 19 Guide.
Logistical Questions? Content or "Fit" Questions?
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us:
email: team@wordsinthewild.org | call/text: 510.500.5380 | schedule a call
