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Overview: The Camp RIO Leadership Trainee (LT) Program exists to provide 15–16-year-old campers with a fantastic opportunity to learn from inspirational camp counselor role models and local community leaders. This three-week camping program is unique in the Rio Grande Valley. We have seen that youth who attend summer camp in any capacity are significantly more likely to make it to and, more importantly, through college. This program exists to offer an introduction to cohabitation and cooperation in a safe and fun environment. 

Application and program fee: The fee for this program is $360 (2025) and will include all lodging and meals.  There will be a maximum of 10 Leadership trainees accepted for June and an additional 10 for July. 

Program Description: This three-week program runs from RIO1 to RIO3 (Sunday-Saturday) and RIO4 to RIO6 (Sunday-Saturday). LTs are picked up on Saturdays and return on Sundays. During this time, LTs (leadership trainees) will live on-site at Camp RIO and learn from counselors on leading activities and how to interact with and care for our campers. LTs will also receive at least two leadership development seminar talks with local leaders.  

Week One:  LTs will shadow our activity counselors for three days and our cabin leaders for two days. This schedule will allow our LTs to grasp the two leading camp counselor roles at Camp RIO. 

Week Two:  LTs will lead their day camp group for an entire programming day. The LT director will observe their group and give instant feedback and a more thorough debrief at the end of the day. The LT director will directly report the progress of each LT to their families. LTs will assist and participate in the evening program set up and take down. Learning behind the scenes of camp is crucial to achieving an overall appreciation of the program. 

Week Three: LTs lead a day camp group for the entire week. The LT director will again observe each session and give feedback each day on their performance. This program is fully eligible for volunteer hours requested by different school districts. On Closing Day of week three, a special ceremony will honor the achievements of our Leadership trainees.