Leader-In-Training Program
Campers ages 14 to 17 are invited to participate in our Leader-In-Training (LIT) Program. This program is an amazing opportunity to learn teamwork, gain new skills, and create long-lasting friendships with other teens. LITs not only help create outstanding experiences for our campers, but they also develop many amazing memories of their own while boosting their resumes and college applications!
This program is extremely popular and is subject to space availability!
Leader-In-Training Requirements
- Be 14 to 17 years old at the time of service
- Have attended The Watersports Camp as a camper prior to their week(s) of participation
- Attend a required in-person training in spring prior to participation.
Our Leader-In-Training Program is a great opportunity for those campers ready to grow leadership skills, and even further develop skills in sports they’re passionate about! The LITs help assist counselors in the morning in our Intro to Watersports, Marine Science, Wakeboarding, Surfing, Kayaking, and Stand Up Paddleboarding camps. In the afternoon, they are able to stay with the same group, or assist with a different activity every day! LITs create lifelong memorable experiences with both campers, and fellow LITs!
Our Sailing Qualified Leader-In-Training program is perfect for the passionate sailor! For the campers that have completed Basic and Adventure Sailing that are ready to take their sailing to the next level, our sailing qualified LITs are able to develop their leadership skills by helping assist our Sail Instructors with Basic Sailing, Adventure Sailing, or Hobie Cat Sailing in the mornings, and take campers out for sail rides in the afternoons. This is a perfect option for the LITs that can’t get enough time out on the water in a sailboat.
Our Leader-In-Training Extended Day Program gives LITs the opportunity to get more camp time, while working with our morning activities, and with our PM Wakeboarding, Tubing, and Kneeboarding camp! LITs get a behind-the-scenes look at how our wakeboarding programs operate. As an observer, they will learn how to coach wakeboarders, and develop leadership skills that can be used on and off the water. This option is great for LITs that can’t get enough of camp, and that are excited to be part of the action on the water!
A Typical Day as an LIT
LITs are an integral part of the camp experience and assist in many aspects of camp. In addition to helping create amazing camp days for our campers, LITs also have the opportunity to learn new skills or further develop their skills in sports they are passionate about.
LITs arrive each day at and assist with the set up of morning activities. They will then spend the morning paddling, sailing, or assisting their assigned group's activities whose possiblities are listed below. In the afternoon LITs may stay with the same group to assist with the afternoon multisport activities or may be placed with another group where more LITs are needed. LITs who have completed the Sailing Qualification will most likely be placed with in the morning and afternoon.
While we work to ensure LIT requests for groups or activities, we cannot guarantee we can accommodate all requests.
Camp Tip:
LIT Extended Day is a great option for kids who can't get enough camp or for parents who need to pick up a bit later. Parents can pick up LIT Extended Day participants as late as 5:30pm at no additional cost.
| LEADER-IN-TRAINING OPTION | POSSIBLE AM GROUP ASSIGNMENTS | POSSIBLE PM GROUP ASSIGNMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| LEADER-IN-TRAINING (7:30AM-3:30PM) | Wakeboarding, Surfing, Intro to Watersports, Marine Science, Kayaking, or Stand Up Paddling | Surfing/Boogie Boarding, Stand Up Paddling/STEM, Inflatables, or Kayaking |
| LEADER-IN-TRAINING SAIL QUALIFIED (7:30AM-3:30PM) | Basic Sailing, Adventure Sailing, or Hobie Sailing | Hobie Sailing Group |
| LEADER-IN-TRAINING EXTENDED DAY (7:30AM-4:30PM) | Surfing, Intro to Watersports, Marine Science, Kayaking, or Stand Up Paddling | PM Wakeboarding, Kneeboarding and Tubing |
NEW LIT REQUIRED TRAINING
New LIT's must register for and attend one in-person training in spring prior to beginning participation as an LIT. There are 3 session options to attend the required training in spring. At training, LIT candidates will learn the various tasks and duties that LITs perform to assist at camp and will learn what it takes to be successful as a leader in a camp setting. LITs will also have an opportunity to meet and get to know other kids participating as an LIT!
While returning LITs are not required to re-attend training, returning LITs are encouraged enroll for the training and meet their new teammates.
New LIT Training Dates (select one)
- Saturday, April 25, 2026 - 9:30am-12:30pm
- Saturday, May 16, 2026 - 9:30am-12:30pm - ONLINE
- Sunday, June 14, 2026 - 9:30am-12:30pm
OPTIONAL SAILING QUALIFICATION
LITs who have completed at least Basic Sailing and Adventure Sailing are encouraged to register for and complete the optional sailing qualification. LITs who successfully complete the sailing qualification will be assigned to assist with sailing activities in the morning, can take campers for sailing rides in the afternoon multisport sailing groups, and receive a discount of 25% or more off LIT fees at registration. The qualification sessions are scheduled to occur following the Required Training and will consist of rigging and de-rigging a Hobie Cat and safely sailing to Fanuel Park and back.
This option is great for LITs looking to meet more of their LIT peers and who love sailing!
Returning LIT's who previously completed the sailing qualification do not need to requalify.
Optional Sail Qualification Dates (select one)
- Saturday, April 25, 2026 - 1:00pm-4:00pm
- Sunday, June 14, 2026 - 1:00pm-4:00pm
Spring 2026 DATES and Rates
Sat/Sun - March 7, 8, 14, 15 - 9am-12pm
Saturdays - April 11, 18, 25- 9am-12pm
Saturdays - May 2, 9, 16 - 8am-11am
Summer 2026 Dates and Rates
REGISTRATION
Registration for summer weeks of service opens in March. LITs use the same registration form as all campers to register for the LIT program. Campers ages 14 and older will see the LIT Training and Sail Qualification registration options at the top of their list of available camps. You will then register for weeks of service as an option in each week. The fees to participate are listed above. There is no fee for Training and Sailing Qualification participation.
Please use your current account instead of creating a new account so we can verify your past attendance in camp. If you have forgotten your password you can reset it at https://watersportscamp.campbrainregistration.com/Home/ForgotPassword. If you are unable to access your account you can confirm the email address associated with your account by calling us at (858) 539-2003.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at litprogram@watersportscamp.com or by phone at (858) 539-2003.
Thank you for your interest in becoming a LIT!
Frequently Asked Questions
There are literally a boatload of reasons you might want to participate in the Leader-In-Training program! For some, learning teamwork and leadership skills that can be applied as you enter the workforce is an important factor. Others may be looking for community service/activities to include on college and job applications. For most, the idea of participating in activities that they love while having an amazing time meeting other teens and giving back to a program they themselves participated in as a kid is the main reason for participating.
The LIT program can be all of these things and more, depending on what your own goals are for participation!
Registration for LIT Training, Sail Qualification and Spring LIT opportunities opens January 23rd at 9am. Registration for summer weeks of service opens Monday, March 2nd at 8:30am.
It is important for LITs to know and understand the activities, culture and how camp operates at The Watersports Camp prior to participating as a leader at camp. They can then share this experience while being a leader to new campers, just like they had when they were at camp! LIT Training can teach the basics, but this important experience cannot be learned in a morning of training.
Yes! We encourage motivated LITs who are having a great time to participate as much as possible based on space availability!
LITs are assigned to groups each morning based on where they will most be able to assist. While we do our best to accommodate group/activity requests, we cannot guarantee that we can accommodate all requests. You can submit a request for a group/activity by including a note in the Special Request field during registration, by emailing us in advance at camp@watersportscamp.com, or letting the LIT Lead know on Monday morning.
You do not need to know how to sail to be an LIT. For LITs who know how to sail and would like to be grouped with the sailing activities, they can participate in the Optional Sailing Qualification after Training! Sailing-qualified LITs also receive a discount when registering. LITs only need to qualify once. Returning LITs do not need to requalify.
LITs only need to attend the Sailing Qualification once. They do not need to re-attend the sailing qualification if they have previously successfully completed a Sailing Qualification.
If it is necessary to miss a day for any reason, please let us know at (858) 539-2003 so that we can ensure the group you were with knows you won't be there.
If a late arrival or early pick up is necessary, please plan to arrive or leave during the lunch period between 11:00am - 11:30am. Please alert the LIT Lead, or call our office at (858) 488-1000, in advance so we may plan accordingly.
As long as LITs will be 14 years old by the first day of their week of service they can attend training and sail qualification when they are still 13. You will only be able to see LIT opportunities where the camper will be 14 years old at the week of service. They will be hidden for weeks before the LIT turns 14.
Yes. The Watersports Camp is a 501c3 non-profit serving youth in San Diego. After your service is complete, email litprogram@watersportscamp.com to request a letter with your hours of community service.
Participants in the Leader-In-Training Program will learn teamwork and leadership skills that they can take with them into their school or work environment. Thile participation doesn't guarantee a job at camp, LITs that contribute and engage in developoing skills are often times uniquely qualified for a role at MBAC and therefore are highly encouraged to apply once they turn 18. Many of the counselors and instructors that they work with are previous LITs.
You can view the list of currently open positions at mbaquaticcenter.com/employment.
The Watersports Camp Refund Policy aims to maintain quality programs while allowing flexibility for camp families.
Cancellations or transfers initiated with:
- Greater than 7 days notice: Full refund minus 3% processing fee -or- full credit towards a future camp.
- 3-7 days notice: 50% refund minus 3% processing fee -or- 50% credit towards a future camp.
- Less than 3 days notice: No refunds or credits.
Illness/Injury Cancellations: We understand last-minute injuries and illnesses occur. We will do our best to accommodate a full credit towards a future camp with a doctor’s note.
Weather Cancellation Policy
Our camps are designed to operate outside. In the event of adverse weather, regularly scheduled activities may be cancelled or modified. In the case of rain or other conditions that may prevent the ability to hold outdoor programming, you will be notified of the cancellation of activities. Please have a back up plan ready in the case of cancellation.