Due to the unique circumstances of 2021, we’re increasing the Teen Camp CIT program to now include 5 CITs (Counselors in Training). Former campers who have demonstrated responsibility and leadership skills are invited to apply for the CIT program, which is a three week leadership course. Their responsibilities as CITs include two important roles. They are a “cabin mama” for the campers in their cabin. Additionally, they are a “beach captain” that helps their assigned surf instructor with loading boards on our vans and providing encouragement and coaching to the girls in their surf pods. It’s a big job, as the CITs are on both during the day and night with the campers.
2021 CITs are Gwen, Grace, Grayson, Natasha and Natalie. In this blog post, we’ll introduce the first three. Stay tuned to meet Natasha and Natalie in an upcoming post!
Meet Gwen!
“Hi my name is Gwen Spencer and I am a rising senior at Woodside Priory School in California. I spend a lot of my time focusing on school, but balance is really important to me so I also love to fill my time with friends and family. One of my favorite things to do is watch meteor showers because it really helps me to live in the moment and appreciate my life around me.
I’ve always wanted to be a CIT because of the bonds that CITs make with campers, but I think the main person who inspired me was Flora Medina. She and I were campers together for our very first sessions at MSG, and in the summer of 2019 I got to come back and see her as a CIT which was such an incredible experience.
Meet Grace!
Hi everybody! My name is Grace, and I’m from Lake Tahoe (On the border of California and Nevada). I’m currently finishing up my senior year and am planning on studying English at Boston College in the fall! I love to read, do crafts, and listen to true crime podcasts! I lived in Maui when I was younger and love any opportunity to come and spend time on the island. I love spending time in the ocean, whether it be surfing, swimming, or snorkeling. I attended Maui Surfer Girls two summers ago and truly had some of the best times of my life. I met girls and made bonds that I know will last the rest of my life. I look forward to getting to spend time this summer with such a strong, loving group of women.
I came to Maui Surfer Girls when I was 12 years old and it’s been a home to me ever since. I’ve met some of my best friends at camp and I’ll always cherish the early morning moments I’ve shared with my surf pods. Surf camp is a magical place and I am so excited to be back and ready to help make this year at camp the best yet!
Also, if you ever want to jam out to Harry Styles, One Direction, or Taylor Swift, I’m your gal ;)”
Meet Grayson!
Hi everyone! My name is Grayson Jeffords and I am from South Carolina. I just completed my sophomore year at Wofford College where I am an Environmental Studies major and English minor. I grew up spending my summers on the coast of South Carolina at the beach surfing with friends and really feel at home in the water. As a young teenager, I attended Maui Surfer Girls and fell completely in love with the location, activities, and amazing individuals I was surrounded by. This experience is what first truly sparked my interest in the environment and the responsibilities that are bestowed upon us to take care of our ecosystems both on land and in the water.
As a CIT I look forward to meeting all our campers and learning more about what amazing interests and skills they bring to the table. My time spent as a camper at MSG shaped me into the confident person I am today, and I cannot wait to see how everyone is able to grow in this positive environment.
After arriving at (my first) camp, my CIT Montana was one of the first smiling faces who greeted me. Over the course of the week, she made an effort to make sure each and every girl felt included. Regardless of skill level in the water, Montana cheered and made a big deal each time someone caught a wave. Her positivity and enthusiasm during each activity made me feel less homesick and excited for what came next. One of my most memorable moments at Maui Surfer Girls and with Montana was during afternoon free time when we made “positive-leis”. During the activity, we cut flowers out of paper and wrote kind affirmations about each girl at the table. We then exchanged what we wrote and everyone strung the positive things said about them to onto string to make a lei. After all of these years, I have kept my lei hanging on my bedroom door. I just read it while writing this and was immediately flooded with so many wonderful memories. Moments like this at Maui Surfer Girls are why I want to be a CIT. I want to play a role in helping young girls develop into the best, most confident versions of themselves just like I did while a camper.