Starting in summer 2026, the Leaders-in-Training program will transition to a multi-week cohort style instead of weekly registration and programming. There will be two cohorts during the summer, each lasting for four weeks. Cohort 1 will run concurrently with Sessions 1-4 (June 29-July 24, 2026); Cohort 2 will run concurrently with Sessions 5-8 (July 27-August 21, 2026). Participants are encouraged to register for a minimum of three weeks (preference given to consecutive weeks during a cohort) and a maximum of six weeks.
Each week of the cohort will be centered on a theme with particular goals for the participants. Week one (Sessions 1 and 5) will be focused on participant orientation. The Leaders-in-Training participants will receive training on their responsibilities, develop as a team by completing group challenges and hikes, and rotationally shadow each camper group throughout the week.
Week two (Sessions 2 and 6) will involve the Leaders-in-Training participants being assigned to a particular camper group where they will assist the Camp Educators with supervising the campers and leading camp activities. Participants will also receive training on how to plan and lead a camp game or lesson during that week (and are expected to lead said planned activity during that week).
Week three (Sessions 3 and 7) will provide the Leaders-in-Training participants with the opportunity to develop, plan, and facilitate the Friday afternoon all-camp game. This will be an original game (or adaptation of an existing game) that NH Audubon does not currently have in rotation for all-camp games (e.g., Predator and Prey, Bombardier Beetle, or Ant Raiders). Participants will also receive a short performance evaluation meeting with the Leaders-in-Training Program Coordinator this week.
The final week (Sessions 4 and 8) will be centered around a service project for NH Audubon. The participants will choose which project(s) they complete from a short list provided by the Leaders-in-Training Program Coordinator and Camp Programs Manager. Some service project options could include doing basic trail maintenance, assembling a rainy-day activity bin, or creating new or updated materials for common all-camp games. Service project work will occur in the mornings under the direction of the Leaders-in-Training Program Coordinator, and the participants’ afternoons will be spent assisting their assigned camper groups.
Overall, the goal for Leaders-in-Training participants is for them to have fun while learning what it takes to be a camp leader, both now and in the future. This new program style is designed to develop participants’ confidence, responsibility, and community-mindedness while being welcomed as important members of the NH Audubon camp community.
