It's your turn to lead the way!
The Machon – Counselor in Training Program – at URJ Camp Kalsman is a once in a lifetime opportunity for current 11th graders to develop valuable skills for the future while also spending time together as a unit enjoying all the fun activities camp has to offer. Experiencing all camp programming as both participants and leaders helps our Machonikim transition from camper to future staff member. This five week program is perfect preparation for teens entering their senior year of high school to take on additional responsibility at school, in extracurricular activities, at their temples, and at camp.
LEADERSHIP
With the guidance of a dedicated Machon Director and two Machon advisors, Machonikim spend time learning about and practicing leadership skills. You’ll learn to identify your own leadership style and discover how to use it to maximize your impact as an individual and in a group. Machonikim acquire hands on experience in group leading, decision making, and program implementation both from training out of cabin and working in a cabin.
TEAMBUILDING
As part of a small cohort, Machonikim have the opportunity to build a one of a kind team of learners, friends, and leaders. Between dedicated time on the URJ Camp Kalsman ropes course and team challenges that test what it means to work together, you’ll walk away from the program with strong relationships and a more developed understanding of teamwork. Alongside the bond of the unit, Machonikim will learn how to build quick teams in their cabins, set clear boundaries, and create partnerships with their co-counselors.
PROGRAMMING
For the length of the first session (12 days), Machonikim will engage in experiential learning about what it takes to be a leader at camp and at home, as well as Jewish identity searching, goal setting, and have the potential to walk away with tangible skills and certifications that are applicable even outside of camp! The afternoons are spent having fun with your unit at the pool and around camp. You’ll join the rest of camp for T’filah and dinner before your evening program and team meeting. As you learn what it means to take on responsibility around camp, you’ll begin to help plan programs for other campers around camp. When you move into cabins for the length of the second session (3 weeks), you’ll get the chance to write and run their own unit and evening programs.
THE BEST SUMMER OF YOUR LIFE
Swim in the pool, spend time in the arts center, and sing your heart out at Shabbat shira! Plus, take a two day trip off camp during intersession where you’ll focus on having fun and hanging out. The Machon summer with friends old and new will be the best summer of your life!
How to Apply for Machon
Information Letter
For more information on the Machon program, please read this informational letter.
Step 1 – Register
Your parent must first complete the registration process. The deposit will NOT be charged until you are accepted into the Machon program but the system will require that a credit card or method of payment be added.
Step 2 – Apply
After you or your adult have completed the online summer registration process, a link to the application will be emailed to you (if you have an email address on file) and your parents.
Step 3 – Reference
Please provide one adult reference after completing steps 1 and 2.
Follow Up
After completing these 3 steps, you will be contacted by a member of the Camp professional staff to schedule a follow-up call to discuss the program, expectations, and to do some goal-setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the CIT program this summer?
The 2025 Machon CIT Program runs 5 weeks from June 20 – July 27. CITs may be offered the opportunity to become counselors for Gimmel – July 30 – August 13.
What is different about the CIT programs than every other summer?
CITs are still campers while simultaneously training to become counselors. As campers, CITs will experience all the great programmatic areas of camp, such as high ropes, evening programs, rotations, daily pool time, etc. They will have bonding time, a trip off camp between Session Aleph and Session Bet, special nights off camp during Bet, an opportunity for deep conversations with their peers and a ton of fun that can only happen at camp. They have their own unit head (the Machon Director) and counselors who look after and support them as all our counselors do.
While CITs are campers, they also learn skills to grow into incredible counselors. The first part of the summer is spent learning leadership skills and practical strategies that help them address their own and campers’ stress and camp experience. They learn how to create the magic of camp. They will be assigned to a unit (age group) to start creating connections to campers. In the second part of the summer, while they continue to have separate CIT programming, they are assigned to a cabin of younger campers to try out their leadership skills. The younger campers will look up to them, much like they do to staff. They will learn from and work with the counselors of the cabin to create an excellent cabin experience for younger campers. As the summer continues, CITs spend more and more time with their cabin and take on more and more responsibility for the cabin.
Providing excellent training to our CITs is a cornerstone of our program. However, since they are still campers, CITs are never solely responsible for the campers and continue to have camper programming.
Five weeks is a long time without a phone, can my camper have their phone with them?
CITs are allowed to have their phones when they are not in programming. Their WiFi access will be limited on camp, but they will be able to access WiFi in the CIT space where they will be during their down time and off time. We encourage CITs to limit their technology use while on camp to truly immerse themselves in the CIT experience.
Is the CIT program selective? Do I have to apply?
Since this program trains campers to become staff, the application process mimics our staff application process including an application form, references, and an interview. First, you will fill out the regular camper application. Upon receipt of the application, the camper will receive a link to a separate CIT application form. This application form will include the following questions:
- Please share in your own words why you are choosing to come back to Kalsman this summer.
- What are you hoping to learn during the Machon Counselor in Training program?
- The Machon CIT program is a 5-week program. What experience, if any, do you have spending a significant amount of time away from home? What skills will you use to help you cope with being away from home for 5 weeks?
- Describe a meaningful leadership moment in your life, including what you learned from it.
- List any work and leadership experiences you’ve had in the last 3 years. Include the length of each experience.
Campers will also be asked to submit a reference who can speak to their leadership skills.
The camper should fill out the application form within two weeks of receiving the link. After the application form is complete, campers will receive a Calendly link via email to schedule an interview. The interview will be a chance for the camper to learn more about the program and the staff to learn more about the camper. If this is the right program for the camper, they will receive an acceptance letter within a week of their interview.
If you have questions about what stage of the process your camper’s application is in, please feel free to contact us at campkalsman@urj.org.
Is everyone accepted into the CIT program?
We have enough space to guarantee one male+ and one female+ camper cabin (16 each) . We may be able to open an additional two cabins.
There are occasions when this program is not the right match for the camper. Campers in the CIT program must be able to care for themselves independently, consistently make safe choices, engage with younger campers in a friendly, caring manner, and participate fully in programming for the majority of the day. If our staff has concerns about whether this program is a good fit for your camper, they will be in touch with you directly.
What if I have a conflict with the dates?
If you have a conflict with the dates, please contact us. We are usually able to accommodate late arrivals, early departures, or short absences.
What happens during intersession (between sessions in early July)?
The CITs take a trip off camp during intersession. These trips have ranged from a Mariners game to camping to bonding activities. The details of the trip have not yet been finalized, but we guarantee it will be fun.
Do CITs get to go off camp any other time?
Yes! CITs get at least one more fun night off camp. This night will include dinner and an activity—perhaps a night at the movies, bowling, mini golf.
If CITs are still campers, why do we have to pay for them to work?
CITs are campers, they have camper programming and their own staff. While they are with campers, they are never solely responsible for campers and are able to take much more time off than our staff. We do recognize that CITs are working with younger campers and therefore charge much less than the nightly rate if they were coming for Aleph and Bet. A combined rate for Aleph and Bet sessions is $8,025. The CIT program is 5 days more than the combination of Aleph and Bet and the tuition is $6,250.
Is there an Israel Trip for current 11th graders?
Yes. Current 11th graders can travel to Israel or Europe through Yallah! Israel. The trip is currently scheduled for June 28-July 27, 2025. Follow this link to learn more about those opportunities: https://yallahisrael.org/trips/kalsman/
Can I work at camp if I don't participate in the CIT program?
Yes. The CIT program is not a prerequisite for being on staff; however, alumni of the CIT program often feel more prepared and confident stepping into a staff role.
When is the deadline to apply?
While there is no deadline to apply, there is limited space in the program. We accept applications on a rolling basis.