As an integrated experience that includes participants both with and without disabilities, a goal of the Leader In Training (LIT) program is to empower young adults by providing them with opportunities to be leaders in the camp community. At its core, the BC Easter Seals LIT Program is about creating a supportive and positive environment, wherein participants can explore the concept of leadership, learn life skills, develop their self confidence and discover how they can contribute to the camp community. Through this experience they will gain practical skills that they can use to facilitate their own inclusion in society and towards becoming counsellors or mentors. LIT is composed of two types of sessions: Challengers and Guides. 

CHALLENGER LIT: This program will focus on responsibility, awareness of leadership potential, consideration of what is leadership, and how leadership can play a part in one's own life. Activities based on teamwork, trust, group dynamics, communication, cooperation and many other skills will be explored both at Camp Squamish and while on a multi-night paddling and camping trip. Lits shall spend the first few days at Camp Squamish preparing for the out trip. Next they load up and head out to begin their canoe trip. The group sleeps at a Provincial Campground the first night en route. Then they arrive at the route put in and begin the journey. The group will paddle the route over the next few days, taking time to enjoy the scenery, lakes and flora and fauna. The group arrives at the take out and begins the trek back to Camp Squamish, spending an evening again at a Provincial Park en route. They arrive back at Camp Squamish after for final debrief, clean up and closure. The trip will maintain a 2:1 camper to staff ratio. Leaders bring experience with canoe trip leading and every effort will be made to make the trip as accessible as possible. BCMOS Trail Riders will be arranged as necessary.

GUIDE LIT: This program will assume some previous leadership training or experience. Participants will focus attention on counsellor training, camper-mentoring, and camp program development and implementation. These different components will be designed to give participants a wide range of experiences and responsibilities in order to prepare them for future roles and opportunities in their communities.

LIT and CAPP: The LIT program can be used to fulfill Provincial CAPP portfolio requirements for Community Involvement and Responsibility. LIT staff will work with campers to develop their portfolio goals. Contact the administrator for further questions.

REQUIREMENTS: The LIT program is offered to youth aged 16 to 22 who have recently graduated from the camping program and who will gain valuable experience from leadership experience. The program will also be beneficial to individuals from outside the Easter Seals 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). Spaces for LIT's with PSW's are limited, so the Lions Society encourages such applicants to send in their forms as early as possible. Personal Support Worker forms must be printed separately and accompany the LIT application.

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.