LIT Program (Current Gr. 8-9 for 2025-2026)

After fully launching this program last summer, we are thrilled to offer it again for Summer 2026! Full-time program director Caleb Wragge, our newest addition to the camp staff, will help oversee this program. 

The LIT program provides both fun and learning in the same camp week for students who have completed 8th or 9th grade as of June 2026. It will also allow students with busy summer schedules to have more options for weeks to be at camp.

We will run a LIT track with limited spots during the camp weeks listed below. Scholarship Requests can also be made for the LIT Program.

SUmmmer 2026 – LIT APPLICATION
SCHOLARSHIP REQUESTS

Training Information

LITs are required to attend one three-hour training session prior to their week at camp. There is no fee for the training session itself, and there are four options to choose from listed below. If you choose a Winter Camp Weekend option, then the training session will happen on Saturday afternoon at camp.

  • Winter Camp Weekend – February TBD 2026
  • Training Session Only – April TBD at St. Andrew
  • Training Session Only – April TBD at St. Andrew

Note: The retreat options above include a full weekend of fun at camp, in addition to the LIT training session on Saturday afternoon. The bus leaves from St. Andrew at 5:30pm on Fridays and returns around 2:30pm on Sundays. The fee for LITs who want to attend these retreats is reduced by half to $87.50 (it is $175 for the campers in Grades 5-8).

Program Information

CostLITs receive 1/2 off the regular camper registration for their week at camp
CabinsLITs stay in their own LIT cabin with two senior counselors, or they join two senior counselors in a camper cabin when necessary
ActivitiesLITs participate in all regular camp activities with two focused leadership sessions
LeadershipLITs form pairs or trios and are matched with a camper cabin where they practice their leadership skills throughout the day
ServiceLITs choose a service project option at camp the morning before departure (typically Friday)

Registration Information

After indicating interest in the LIT program through our application above, parents will receive approval to register their LIT online starting Dec. 6th. Parents can register their student for any of the LIT weeks listed below through their regular online camp account. If you are new to Spirit in the Pines and don’t have an online account yet, you can create a new camp account using the link below.

SUmmmer 2026 – LIT APPLICATION
Login to existing camp account
create a new camp account

Sessions Available in Summer 2026: Students who will have completed 8th-9th Grade by June 2026

There is an LIT track open during 6 of our 9 weeks of camp. The 3 unvailable weeks are because they are the high school camp weeks, and LIT age students are able to attend these as a camper.

  • LITs for Camp Week #1: June 14-19 Su-F | Elementary & Middle School Campers
    • LIT Spots Available – 12 Boys & 12 Girls
    • Half Week Option: June 14-17 Su-W
  • LITs for Camp Week #3: June 28 – July 1 Su-W | Elementary School Campers
    • LIT Spots Available – 12 Boys & 12 Girls
  • LITs for Camp Week #4: July 5-10 Su-F | Elementary & Middle School Campers
    • LIT Spots Available – 12 Boys & 12 Girls
    • Half Week Option: July 5-8 Su-W
  • LITs for Camp Week #5: July 12-17 Su-F | Elementary School Campers
    • LIT Spots Available – 12 Boys & 12 Girls
    • Half Week Option: July 12-15 Su-W
  • LITs for Camp Week #6: July 19-24 Su-F | Middle School Campers
    • LIT Spots – 12 Boys & 12 Girls
    • Half Week Option: July 19-22 Su-W
  • LITs for Camp Week #9 Aug 9-14 Su-F | Elementary & Middle School Campers
    • LIT Spots Available – 12 Boys & 12 Girls
    • Half Week Option: Aug 10-13 Su-W
Many camps around the country integrate leader-in-training programs into their overall leadership development culture at their camp. We envision our leader-in-training program to help build a bridge between being a camper and becoming a counselor-in-training and eventually a lead counselor. We also hope that adding this pathway allows kids to move into leadership at a pace that is right for them. Some students as soon as eighth grade are eager and ready to take on an introductory LIT position at camp, while other students would prefer to have an LIT experience a year or two later.

If you have any questions about this program you can email any of our three camp directors by navigating to our Camp Team page.

Contact the camp team

Photo from a counselor retreat at camp in April 2024.