🌞SUMMER KIDZ CAMP 🌞

Develop Leadership • Build Skills • Prepare for Future Employment

The Counselor in Training (CIT) Camp is a hands-on training experience for teens who want to build leadership skills and learn what it takes to become a future Summer Kidz Camp Counselor. Similar to our Junior Lifeguard Camp, this program teaches participants the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills they’ll need when they become eligible to apply for staff positions with HRVPRD.

CIT Camp is ideal for teens who enjoy working with kids, want to strengthen their communication and teamwork abilities, and are excited to step into leadership roles in a camp setting.

What Participants Will Learn

Throughout the week, CIT participants take part in interactive training sessions and guided practice focused on:

• Leadership and teamwork

• Communication and public speaking

• Child supervision and safety awareness

• Behavior management basics

• Conflict resolution

• Activity facilitation (games, songs, arts, skits, and more)

• Creating a positive and inclusive camp culture

CITs will also spend time shadowing camp counselors, helping facilitate activities, and practicing new skills with support and coaching from the Camp Lead and camp staff.

Role in Camp

CITs are trainees, not staff. Their role includes:

• Shadowing and learning from counselors

• Practicing leading activities with guidance

• Supporting group routines and transitions

• Serving as positive role models for campers

• Helping build a welcoming, supportive camp culture

All experiences are structured, supervised, and designed to build competence—not replace counselor responsibilities.

Supervision

CITs receive mentoring and daily feedback from the Camp Lead, who models best practices and supports each participant’s growth in leadership, confidence, and skill.

Available Weeks

Participants will have the choice of signing up for Weeks 1 - 7

CIT Training (Mandatory)

Thursday, June 18 and Saturday, June 20th / 9:00 AM-1:00 PM / Hood River Aquatic Center (Party room)

Limited Capacity & Application Process

To maintain a high-quality learning environment and provide personalized mentorship, CIT Camp enrollment is limited.
All prospective participants must complete an application. Applicants will be selected based on readiness, interest, and alignment with the goals of the program.

Details about the application process will be provided at registration.

Letter of Recommendation

Upon successful completion of the CIT Camp, each participant will receive an official Letter of Recommendation from the Summer Kidz Camp Coordinator.
This letter can be used to support future job applications with HRVPRD or other employers and serves as a professional recognition of the participant’s skills, growth, and commitment.

Program Fee

To support staff training, program materials, and high-quality instruction, the CIT Camp fee is:

• $250 for the first week

• $125 per week for each additional week

This investment ensures meaningful, hands-on learning that prepares teens for potential future employment with HRVPRD.

Apply for the CIT Program

Dive into summer with us discovering Hood River ‼️Campers will discover the different city parks and amenities by playing at the playgrounds, playing basketball, soccer, pickleball, biking, going on hikes and more. Campers will have a blast in the pool playing on the rope swing, water basketball, and diving for rings. This is a sports week in disguise. The kids will spend the week mostly outdoors and playing lots of games. 

• 5-day Camp: Mon-Fri

• Local Adventure: Mike’s Ice cream 

• Camp Base: HR Middle School 

• Registration $ 435.00 (In-District price) 

• Extended Care Fee $ 97.00 

Join us for World Cup Week! This week you will be recruited for a team and build it from scratch, test your abilities through fun challenges, play various soccer games, and end the week with our very own Hood River Summer Soccer Cup. There will also be two opportunities for the kids to splash at the pool. We will also offer an optional after-hour field trip to a Portland Bangers soccer game! ⚽🎉 

• 5-Day Camp: Mon-Fri

• PNW Adventure: Portland Bangers soccer game (June 30, 2026) Additional $ Fee/ticket TBD OR a similar PNW adventure

• Camp Base: HRCSD Facilities  

• Registration $ 489 (In-District price) 

• Extended Care Fee $ 97.00   

This week campers get to CHOOSE. The kids will have a choice between a sport activity, a craft activity and another type of activity every day. We will also go bowling at Orchard Lanes. Activities can include relay races, kickball, karaoke, and other fun activities. Crafts activities include origami, bracelets, drawing, and more. There will be many other surprises and two pool days.  

• 5-day Camp: Mon-Fri

• Local Adventure: Bowling at Orchard Lane 

• Camp Base:  HRCSD Facilities 

• Registration $ 435.00 (In-District price)  

• Extended Care Fee $97.00

Lights, camera, action! Join us for an exciting week at summer camp, where kids will learn acting, improvisation, and stage skills from local theater expert Kenna Harris! Young performers will bring their creativity to life and end with a final performance on July 10 for family and friends! We will also offer short movie making or a talent show as an alternative to theater if our number of participants exceeds 25 campers. 

• 5-day Camp: Mon-Fri

• Local Adventure: Production of a Play  

• Camp Base: HRCSD Facilities  

• Registration $ 435.00 (In-District price)  

• Extended Care Fee $ 97.00 

Embark on Wild Explorers Week with us, where campers will dive into the beauty of nature with exciting outdoor adventures! From hiking and treasure hunts (terrarium and herbarium) to creative nature crafts (recycled paper, outdoor mandala), every day is an opportunity to explore and connect with the natural world. This week will be spent mostly outside, and we will also offer sports activities. To top things off, we will go on an adventure to Lost Lake! 

• 5-day Camp: Mon-Fri

• PNW Adventure: Lost Lake Resort  

• Local Adventures: Indian Creek Trail, Waterfront Trail,  

• Camp Base: HRCSD Facilities 

• Registration $ 489.00 (In-District price) 

• Extended Care Fee $ 97.00

Step into the world of whimsical surprises of Willy Wonka! Campers will help him through games and challenges inspired by the magical story. Activities include two pool days, an adventure through town, a visit to Mike’s Ice cream, a mix of sports activities and various challenges. We will spend a lot of time outdoors!  

• 5-Day Camp: Mon-Fri

• Local Adventure: Hike through town and Mike’s Ice cream  

• Camp Base: HRCSD Facilities  

• Registration $ 435.00 (In-District price)  

• Extended Care Fee $ 97.00 

• Max participants: 40 

Step into a mythical adventure with Legends of Olympus Camp! The mythical heroes of Mount Olympus are in a playful debate about who has the most impressive abilities—and they need the campers’ help to settle it. Throughout the week, campers will join a hero’s team and take part in exciting challenges and games to earn points. We’ll wrap up the adventure with our unforgettable Olympic Games, celebrating teamwork, creativity, and friendly competition. This high‑energy week is a sports‑focused favorite in disguise, complete with a trip to Laser Tag and two refreshing pool days. 

• 5-Day Camp: Mon-Fri

• PNW Adventure: Ultrazone Laser Tag  

• Camp Base: HRCSD Facilities 

• Registration $ 489.00 (In-District price)  

• Extended Care Fee $ 97.00 

This 4-day camp will be an adventure of its own! We will spend one day at the park playing sports games and getting ice cream, we will hit the pool, go to Lost Lake and SUPing and canoeing with Wylde, Wind & Water.  

• 4-Day Camp: Tues-Fri

• Adventures: Mike’s Ice Cream, and SUPing and canoeing with Wylde, Wind & Water  

• PNW Adventure: Lost Lake Resort

• Camp Base: HR Aquatics Center 

• Registration $ 575.00 (In-District price)  

• Extended Care Fee $ 75.00 

End your summer with an unforgettable 4-day week of river fun and thrilling water activities lead by Wylde, Wind and Water. We will also spend a day at the thrilling Oaks Amusement Park! Join us for the fun and unforgettable time! Includes canoeing, SUPing, and a trip to the Museum, and even some fun cultural dance lessons!

• 4-Day Camp: Tues-Fri

• PNW Adventure: Oaks Amusement Park 

• Local Adventure: Wylde, Wind and Water

• Camp Base: HR Aquatics Center 

• Registration $ 575.00 (In-District price)  

• Extended Care Fee $ 75.00