Summer Camp 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 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 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 Summer Camp environment.

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

• Must be the age specified by the summer Camp invitation on some date between June 1 and August 31 of the year of travel
• Is physically and emotionally healthy, and demonstrates self-discipline
• Is able to be separated from family and friends for three weeks
• Is responsive to authority
• Makes friends easily and is readily accepted by others
• Communicates effectively with adults and peers
• 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 several active members of the Chapter who bring various perspectives and a wealth of expertise to the task. The committee includes past delegation leaders, recent Village, Interchange or Summer Camp 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. In addition, experienced Junior Counselors (16 and 17 year olds) are actively involved in the selection process.

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 assures 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 — See Applications section.
• A selection overnight, involving games and other activities similar to those experienced in the Summer Camp. Overnight gives the committee opportunities to observe the children and the adult leader applicants at play and interacting with each other. See Calendar of Upcoming Events for dates.
• Parent Interviews — Conducted at a mutually-convenient time. Both parents should be present to ask questions about CISV and learn all pertinent information about the commitment required for participation. The Selection Committee will learn more about the child, the family, and the family's willingness to support the Chapter's efforts through volunteer assistance with recruiting and serving on committees.
• Child Interview — An opportunity for the child to express his/her feelings about the CISV experience and to ask any questions he/she may have.

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

The number of applicants varies from year to year, but there are always more highly-qualified applicants than there are delegate positions to fill. For this reason, we hope applicants and families realize that CISV offers much more than just the Summer Camp Program. There is a very active Junior Branch youth group that plans CISV-related activities throughout the year. Other programs are available for older children, such as Interchange for ages 12-15. Families also become involved in many local activities that further the ideals of CISV. We encourage all families to get involved and experience the many positive aspects of CISV. We especially hope that applicants who may not be selected as a Summer Camp delegate will continue their interest and pursue other CISV program opportunities.

Application Deadline

Application deadline is December 10, 2009. If you are past the deadline, please contact Adam Robinson (adam@cpasite.com) or Eleanor Fails-Hayden (failse@aol.com), Recruiting Committee, 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