The Leader In Training (LIT) program is designed for past campers of the Easter Seals program as well as those new to the program with or without disabilities.
The goal of the program is to promote and facilitate independence among participants who are 16-22 years old.
The Easter Seals Camping Program promotes positive and healthy learning environments where participants can feel supported and comfortable trying new activities, pushing their limits and learning new skills. Through the LIT program, participants will come out with new skills that are applicable to their daily lives.
The LIT program offers two different sessions that are both challenging and fun with the principles of fostering growth and independence. In order for participants to apply, they must fill out an application form and go through a short interview process with the LIT Coordinator.

 The Challenger program

The challenger program is based around a 5-day canoe trip where participants learn how to do every aspect of canoe tripping. The emphasis is based on a canoe trip yet along the way participants will have opportunities to learn hard skills through participating fully, such as cooking, doing dishes, proper portaging techniques, setting up and taking down tents, fire building, canoeing and leadership skills. No past canoe trip experience is required, as the LIT staff are well trained in canoe tripping and safety, which allows a lot of opportunities for growth and independence among the participants.

 The Guide Program

The Guide Program is based at Easter Seals Camp Squamish where LITs have their own living accommodations separate from the rest of camp and spend a week together as a team. In this program the emphasis of learning leadership skills and independence are fostered through opportunities to work with campers, counselors and staff to help develop their confidence and skills. The LIT staff help develop the LITs skills and give them opportunities to try new things in a safe learning environment where there are no mistakes. The emphasis is on having fun, learning new skills and opening up opportunities for campers to develop their knowledge and experience and help them gain life skills that are applicable in their day-to-day lives.

Requirements

The LIT program is offered to youth aged 16 to 22 who will gain valuable experience from leadership experience. This program includes both campers who have recently graduated from our camping program, and others from within the community.  This experience will expand the concept of leadership to encompass themes of inclusion, diversity and accessibility.

It is important to note that the LIT program is not an extension of the Easter Seal Camping Program. It is designed to give individuals with and without disabilities increased leadership skills that they can utilize in their lives and community. For this reason, the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities reserves the right to refuse any individual who is considered unsuitable for the LIT program. This includes but is not limited to medically fragile individuals, or individuals whose behaviour could endanger themselves or other participants. The LIT Program will have a Participant-to-staff ratio of 7-1. For this reason campers who require a high level of emotional and behavioural support may not be suited for this program. Individuals with a physical disability who require a moderate to high level of personal care will be required to attend with a Personal Support Worker (PSW).

As previously noted, the application packages are just one step in the process used to determine an LIT's suitability for the program. In addition to the application, each LIT applicant will be contacted by an LIT coordinator in May or June for a phone or in person interview. If you have any questions about the suitability of the program for yourself or your child please contact the Administrator of the Camping Program.

The cost of the LIT program is $425 per participant. The program is not designed to generate revenue. Please note that payment must be made at the time of application. However, payments (cheque or credit card) will not be processed until a space in the program has been confirmed. Cancellation will result in a $100 processing fee if the LIT cancels one month before the session start date. No refund will be given for cancellations within one month of session start date, unless the cancellation is for medical reasons and is accompanied by a doctor's note, in which case a full refund will be given. If you would like funding suggestions ideas to participate in this program please contact the camping administrator at: camp@lionsbc.ca.

LIT Applications available here