2026 Leaders-in-Training Program Overview
Are you a rising 10th-12th grader who wants to learn more about what it’s like to work at a summer camp alongside other teens your age? As a Leader-in-Training, you will learn servant leadership skills, how to put your faith into action, and how to teach and lead different activities around camp!
LITs work under the direction of the camp staff and the Program Director to develop leadership and childcare skills such as creating and leading group activities, positively interacting with children, maintaining safety, and more.
Our LIT program during the summer is a two-week program. Training week looks much like a traditional camp week, with the addition of training sessions to increase leadership skills. Service week involves assisting staff in cabin management, leading camp activities, and helping out behind the scenes! For a printable, detailed description of the Leader-in-Training position, click here.
LITs register for two weeks of camp: one Training week and an additional Service week (see below). The cost for registration includes both weeks of camp. In 2026, the cost is $720 to attend two camp sessions. To register, click here.
LIT Training Week (required)
You register for ONE training week and pay the minimum deposit to secure your spot. In 2026, choose either of these:
Session A: June 28-July 3
Session B: July 5-10
LIT Service Week
Once you have chosen your training week, you may register to serve as an LIT during these additional sessions of camp. (Please note that you must register as an LIT in order to not be charged for this additional week).
Session 3: July 12-17
Session 5: July 26-31
Session 6: August 2-7
(LITs are unable to serve during Sessions 1 and 2, due to the Training Week option, and Session 4, which is Lake Samish Music Camp).
Application
Please register following the directions above. It is helpful to also email ashleigh.ek@camplutherwood.org to let us know to look for your registration and make sure the 100% discount for the Service week is applied.
NEW for 2026: We require a short application to be filled out by the LIT themselves to gauge if this program is the right fit. The application can be found here: 2026 Lutherwood Leader-in-Training Application. The deadline for the application is the first day of the camp season, June 28.
More information about the program
Qualified applicants for the LIT program should possess flexibility, maturity, and the willingness to learn. This is a great professional development opportunity as you learn to be part of a team, practice critical thinking, and further develop your leadership skills, whether you plan to apply* to work as a staff person at Lutherwood post-high school, or simply would like to build your resume. Serving as an LIT will help build your leadership and professional skills no matter what you decide to do in the future!
For more information or any questions, please contact Ashleigh Ellsworth-Keller, Program Director, at ashleigh.ek@camplutherwood.org.
*Being an LIT doesn’t guarantee you a spot on the Lutherwood staff once you graduate from high school, but it does put you in a good position for future options. Conversely, there is no expectation that LITs will apply to work at Lutherwood, though we hope that they will be inspired to!
