Meet Bebe & Caroline, two of our CITs (Counselor in Training) for 2017!
Meet Bebe!
Beatrice ‘Bebe’ Engel
Bebe has been a camper since 2012 and was a CIT in 2016 as well. She is from Saint Louis, Missouri but is currently attending school at the University of Georgia. “As of now I am pursuing a Biology degree on the pre-med track in addition to a minor in Chinese! I love to be active and outside. At home I spend most of my time with family and friends. This year (at camp) I am looking forward to more adventure and experiences. MSG has given me the opportunity to learn and grow so much as an individual and I cannot wait to see what this year has in store. In addition, I am excited to reconnect with old friends and campers as well as meet new ones.”
Meet Caroline! (pic from a recent trip to Peru!)
Caroline Palumbo
Caroline was a camper in 2016 and is returning as her first year as a CIT. “I am a sophomore at Southampton High School in Southampton, NY. I hurdle on the track team and I’m also on the soccer team. Right now I’m in training to be an ocean lifeguard this summer. This year, I am most excited to be able to make close friendships at MSG. I’m glad that I will be there with other CITs for the month who I can get to know super well. I’m also excited of course to surf everyday and help the campers out with whatever they need.”
On our next blog post, meet CITs Makayla & Abigail!
More about our CIT Program
One of the main goals at our teen surf camp has always been to create opportunities for leadership and personal development. In 2004 we launched our youth leadership program or “Counselor in Training” (CIT) program. Being selected as a CIT has become more and more competitive through the years, and it is quite an honor to be selected.
The CIT program is a month long – a one week leadership course prior to three weeks of helping run our surf camps. Their responsibilities as a CIT include two important camp roles. They are a “cabin mama” for the 4-5 campers in their cabin. Additionally, they are a “beach captain” that helps assist 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.
The CIT program is also a great work experience to put on a resume or college application. Camp director Dustin has written several college application reference letters for past CITs. She’s proud to say that two past CITs ( Molly Ashkenas and Kit Ramgopal) have both gone on to attend Stanford University! We are proud of every one of our campers and CITs, and each summer we are thrilled to welcome a few dozen more incredible girls into our MSG family!