House In The Wood 
Camp & Retreat Center
Delavan, Wisconsin
LIT Program

What is the LIT program about?
Congratulations Graduates!!
LIT Levels
Photo Album COMING SOON
More Information? Contact Adam
 

The Leaders In Training program is a four year training program that runs year around at both House in the Wood in Delavan, Wisconsin and Northwestern University Settlement in Chicago, Illinois. The program is designed to provide teens ages 13-17 with the opportunity to develop their skills and understanding of leadership and personal responsibility using camp activities. Activities range from games to written exercises. LITs also spend time helping camp through service projects and assisting other campers in activities.

The goal of the LIT program is to help prepare our teens for life after High School and to encourage them to feel confidence and pride in themselves. The combination of work at camp and practice job interviewing will help our LIT's get a job later. Exposure to the many options available to them after high school whether its college, technical school, or a job will help our LIT's make a decision about earning a living after high school. In addition, LIT's will find themselves in a good position to get a job either at camp or outside camp when they've finished the LIT program.

New LIT’s Challenge Leaders (CL’s), as they are being introduced to the program, stay at camp only 2 weeks. Our Junior Leaders (JL) and Senior Leaders (SL) stay at camp for 4 weeks. Our Aides (A), stay at camp for 6 weeks because they also assist with mentoring our new LIT Challenge Leaders. Our newest level, Junior Counselors (JC) gives our LIT's the opportunity to practice the skills they learned during their four years in the program. They are at camp assisting with a cabin group the entire summer. Each level of LIT has a distinct focus. LIT’s know that when they enter a different level, they will spend their days differently and they will learn different things.

As LIT's move up in the four levels of the LIT program, they will spend an increasing amount of time learning and practicing life skills such as job interviewing, money management, options after they graduate high school and decision making. LIT's also participate in many activities and trips that are especially designed for them.

In order to become an L.I.T, you need to attend camp as a camper and be recommended for the program by staff members. You also need to fill out an application and have a personal interview with the Assistant Director or LIT Director. Contact Adam for more information.
 

• 2007--Starr Chalmers, Brandyn Romero, Deneko Stewart, Demeta Thompson
• 2006--Alicia Holmes, Darius Jones, Nikko Nelson.
• 2005--Brittany Edwards, Tynetta Muhammad, Sharonda Wilson.
• 2004--Marvel Gilliard, Joshua Long, Linda Rech.
• 2003--Ebonie Emery, Garron Spencer, Brandon Bailey, Reno Sims.
• 2002--Amber Emery, Bernice McMurtry.
• 2001--Candice Barnes, Terri Montes, Latoya Oby.
• 2000--Rachel Brown, Donald Kindle, Cori Miller, Keith William.
• 1999--Johnn Heard-Cone, Aaron Huntley, Vicki Martinez, Andrea Moreno.
• 1998--Ian Fowler, David Muhammad. Devonte Bowers, Victor Witherspoon.
• 1997--None
• 1996--Danny Cruz, Kennina Ceasar
• 1995--Alicia Pothier, Angela Johnson.
• 1994--Marvin West, Tony Moreno, Sherie Long, Tracy Meitzler, Fernando Lopez.
• 1993--Daisy Rios, Ramses James, Jose Hernandez, Wesley Pothier, Josef Heard-Cone, Adam Perez.
• 1992--Pharaoh Blackwell.
• 1991--Anthony Haywood, Kindrick Fletcher, Gabbie Grabowski, Veronica Crespo.
• 1990--First Year of Graduation: Naketa Jones, Tobi Brown.
• 1989--Participants: Tiffani Clarke, Ruthie Carillo, Phyllis Whitman, Michael Strykowski.
• 1988--Participants: Melinda Hernandez, Michael Mansilla, Michael Strykowski.
• 1987--Participants: Tineka Wyckoff, Venus Palmer, Fanny Dampier, Andre Jones, Ray Smith.
• 1986--Program Started

LIT Levels

The program consists of the following levels and goals:

Challenge Leader (CL) -- 1st year of program

• Enhance communication skills
• Make a smooth transition from camper to L.I.T.
• Encourage role modeling for other campers
• Gain Basic maintenance skills through group work projects
• Enrich sense of mutual ownership of the camp
• Create supportive environment

Junior Leader (JL) -- 2nd year of program

• Understand the intricacies of an organization
• Learn and compare varying models of organization
• Gain teaching and leadership skills in program areas
• Apply skills obtained at camp to work/life skills
• Interact effectively with campers and staff
• Develop confidence as a strong individual working within an organization

Senior Leader (SL) -- 3rd year of program

• Gain work experience in support areas around camp
• Meet goals pertaining to the Health House, Kitchen, and Office support areas
• Develop skills necessary for getting and keeping jobs through various workshops and site visits
• Cultivate the insight and initiative to recognize and seize opportunities for personal growth

Aides (A) -- 4th year of program

• Emerge as capable leaders
• Create a safe forum for self-exploration and acceptance
• Examine opportunities available upon high school graduation
• Further ability to develop and realize goals
• Prepare for self-sustainability

Junior Counselor (JC) -- After LIT graduation

• Practice skills learned in LIT program
• Continue exploring own interests for life after High School