Leaders Made Here

At YMCA Camp Thunderbird, teens gain valuable leadership skills while developing their work ethic.

YMCA Camp Thunderbird is proud to offer a progressive Leaders In Training program for 13 - 15 year old campers through our Day Camp program. Each level of LIT will have unique experiences & development opportunities. Our goal is to develop teens into talented & confident leaders through exposure to new roles and responsibilities at Day Camp.

Should you have an interest in our Leader in Training program, we encourage you to fill out an interest form and a member of our team will reach out to you soon.

The Leaders in Training program is an acceptance-based program and all registrations are INVITE ONLY

LIT-1 Discover | Ages 13 - 15 (in their 1st summer experiencing LIT)

All participants must first interview and be accepted into the LIT 1 program before enrollment.

LIT-1s may attend one session that is two weeks in length, per summer. There are six LIT-1 spots per session.

Session 1: June 10 - June 21, 2024
Session 2: June 24 - July 5, 2024
Session 3: July 8 - July 19, 2024
Session 4: July 22 - August 2, 2024

LIT-2 Grow | Ages 14 - 15 (in their 2nd summer experiencing LIT)

All participants must have been promoted from the LIT 1 program before enrollment.

LIT - 2s must attend ONE of TWO training day options provided by the LIT Coordinator. In addition, they must attend THREE service weeks (that follow their training day) per summer. Spots for training days are limited. 

LIT-2 programming will include goal setting, skill mastery, presentation practice & delivery and independent/unique roles, in addition to having fun! LIT-2 campers are selected after serving in an LIT-1 role the previous summer and will be contacted directly about registering.

LIT-3 Serve | Ages 15 (in their 3rd summer experiencing LIT)

All participants must have been promoted from the LIT 2 program before enrollment.

LIT-3s must attend ONE of TWO training day options and must attend four service weeks (that follow the training day) per summer. Spots for training days are limited.

LIT-3 programming will include training in basic CPR and First Aid, project management and personal achievement goal setting---and, having FUN! LIT-3 campers are selected after serving in an LIT-2 role the previous summer and will be contacted directly about registering.

If you have any questions or to request an interview for LIT-1, please submit an interest form or contact a Associate Day Camp Director at (704) 716-4118.