Summer Camp Leader Selection Process

The Jacksonville Chapter of Children's International Summer Villages is indeed fortunate to have the opportunity to send delegations to represent our community and the United States at CISV Summer Camps in different parts of the world. The Chapter Village and Summer Camp Delegation Selection Committee is responsible for determining which children and adult leaders will represent our community and our nation.

Our task is to select delegates and leaders who (1) are representative of a cross-section of our community, (2) will be cohesive, and (3) have personalities and strengths which are complementary. The selection process is designed to be fun for the children, with numerous games and activities typical of the CISV Village or Summer Camp environment.

The primary qualifications and attributes of leaders considered by the Selection Committee are that the candidate:

• Must be 21 years old prior to travel.
• Is physically and emotionally healthy, and demonstrates self-discipline
• Makes friends easily and is readily accepted by others
• Communicates effectively with adults and youth
• Assumes responsibility and work within a group
• Has a positive, flexible personality — able to adjust to differences in schedules, activities, cultures, foods, etc.
• Enjoys playing games, singing, dancing, etc.
• Accepts others without prejudice, regardless of race, religion, language or culture
• Is able to commit significant time (March-June) in preparation for the Summer Camp experience

The Selection Committee consists of active members of the Chapter who bring various perspectives and a wealth of expertise to the task. The committee includes past Village delegation leaders, recent Village parents, Village staff members, and members with prior Selection Committee experience. Both men and women are included, representing teachers, counselors, and parents actively involved with youth.

The strength of the selection process lies in the strength of the dedicated members of the Selection Committee. Their experience, expertise and variety of perspectives assure us that the delegations selected will represent our community, Chapter and nation well.

The selection process involves several important factors. No single factor is necessarily more important than the others, but all are considered together in the committee's decisions:

• Application and References — found under Application section




• A selection overnight — involving games and other activities similar to those experienced in the Village or Summer Camp. The overnight gives the committee opportunities to observe the children and the adult leaders- and junior counselor- applicants at play and interacting with each other. See Calendar of Upcoming Events for dates.




• Leader Candidate Interview — An opportunity for the applicant to express his/her feelings about the CISV experience and to ask any questions he/she may have.

Adult Leaders in CISV are volunteers, age 21 or older. The participating families pay the leader's airfare, but they receive no monetary payment for their time. Leader applicants are screened carefully through a selection process, including criminal background check, designed to ensure they are well-qualified and well-suited to lead the CISV Summer Camp Delegation during the preparation phase as well as during the three week Summer Camp. CISV selects leaders who will be responsible, caring and whose top priority is always the children's safety and well-being. A background check is included in the selection process. Volunteer leaders may be parents, teachers, counselors or others who have the willingness and ability to work well with children and who will carry out their responsibilities in accordance with CISV policy. Many leaders were CISV Village or Summer Camp participants, and want to participate in the experience again as leaders.

Using the preceding selection criteria and selection process, delegations are formed based on the best judgment of the Selection Committee. Leaders are informed of selection results by mail, with a follow-up phone call, within a few days of the Selection Overnight.

All CISV leaders undergo a thorough training process, starting at the local Chapter level and continuing through a mandatory CISV-USA regional training seminar. Training includes the basics of CISV philosophy, program content, potential problem recognition, cultural awareness, risk management and conflict resolution.

The number of applicants varies from year to year, but there are frequently more highly qualified applicants than there are leader positions to fill. For this reason, we hope applicants realize that CISV offers much more than just the Summer Camp Leader Position There is a very active Junior Branch youth group that plans CISV-related activities throughout the year, and this group always benefits from adult participants in an advisory role. Other programs are available for adult leaders, such as Interchange Leader. Adults also become involved in many CISV Local Work activities that further the ideals of CISV. We encourage all applicants to get involved and experience the many positive aspects of CISV.

Application Deadline

Application deadline is December 10, 2009. If you are past the deadline, please contact Kerry McClure (halkerry@bellsouth.net), Camp Chair, to see if applications are still being accepted.

2010 Summer Camp and Interchange Selection Overnight- Summer Camp and Interchange youth and leader applicants should plan to attend

Friday, February 19- Saturday, February 20, 2010

Time TBA

South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church
Family Life Center
2137 Hendricks Ave 32207

*Parents will participate in “Welcome to CISV” Orientation for a few hours at the start of the overnight.

Families will be contacted by the selection committees to arrange for a home visit at a mutually agreed upon time