More Than a Camper: Building Real-World Skills with Montreal Youth Programs

Summer camp is often thought of as a place for younger children, but some of the most transformative experiences happen when teens step into leadership roles. At Laurus, our Counsellor-in-Training (CIT) and Leadership programs are designed to help young people aged 13 to 16 develop the soft skills that universities and employers value most: communication, problem-solving, empathy, and teamwork.

CIT participants don't just shadow staff — they take on real responsibilities. Over the course of the program, they plan and lead group activities, manage small teams of younger campers, and learn to adapt on the fly when plans change. Each week includes structured reflection sessions where CITs discuss what went well, what was challenging, and how they can improve. This cycle of action and reflection mirrors the kind of professional development found in the best workplace training programs.

Our Leadership track adds community engagement to the mix. Participants collaborate on a service project that benefits the local Montreal community, from organizing supply drives to partnering with neighbourhood organizations. These projects teach teens how to set goals, delegate tasks, manage timelines, and present their results — skills that translate directly into school projects, part-time jobs, and future careers.

Parents consistently tell us that their teens return home more confident, more responsible, and more willing to take initiative. Many of our CITs go on to become junior counsellors and eventually full staff members, creating a pipeline of caring, skilled leaders who understand Laurus values from the inside out. If your teen is ready for something bigger than a typical summer experience, our youth programs offer a meaningful next step.