Program Aide (PA) / Counselor in Training (CIT) Selection Process
This should serve as a guide on how PAs/CITs are selected from the waitlist for a position at Mountaindale West Day Camp (MDW) as a PA/CIT.
Note: Technically PA is a Cadette award while Seniors and Ambassadors are CITs. For the purpose of MDW, both PAs and CITs will be called PAs.
Note: All PAs will be placed on the waitlist until registration is closed; even if they have a parent volunteer.
PA/CIT Program Level Definitions:
8th grade - Possible first year PAs - must complete PAIT training before being a PA at MDW.
First year PAs earn their PA pin at the end of the week.
9th grade - Possible 1st or second year PA.
First year PAs earn their PA pin at the end of the week
Second year PAs earn their CIT pin at the end of the week.
10th grade - Possible 1st, 2nd or third year PA.
No additional pins are earned beyond the second year CIT pin.
11th grade - Possible 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or fourth year PA.
12th grade - Possible 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or fifth year PA. “GOLDEN PA”
College - Possible 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th or sixth year PA. “PLATINUM PA”
Approach to balanced PA/CIT ability and skill:
At Mountaindale West (MDW) we believe in a balanced approach to staffing camp with PAs. What this means is that we try to have equal numbers of PAs for each grade level.
This approach allows PAs in each grade level to have mentoring and leadership opportunities.
Of course some grade levels tend to have far more girls registering and some have less.
A good example of this is: there are generally very few Platinum PAs registering for camp. On the other hand there is an abundance of 8th grade PAs registering for camp as they were just in the PAIT training program which generally has a large number of girls attending.
The details of the approach:
We start the selection process by first determining the number of PAs that MDW can support based on number of volunteers and campers.
Once the number of PAs/CITs is known that number is then divided by 5 (there are 5 grade levels).
At MDW since there are so few Platinum PAs registering, they will be included in the quota for the number of Golden PAs being selected for camp.
As an EXAMPLE: If 60 PAs/CITs will be selected for MDW that means we will be selecting 12 PAs for each grade level.
If there are not enough PAs to fill a level, the remaining positions will be divided among the other levels. This process repeats until all levels have been filled.
In the event that more PAs are needed at camp the distribution of PAs to grade levels will be evaluated and girls will be selected to fill the individual quotas. Like the initial selection, if there are not enough PAs to fill a grade level quota those positions will be distributed to the remaining grade levels.
Other Selection Criteria:
All PAs that have a parent volunteer at MDW for the current year will be selected from the waitlist and their numbers will be used to fill the grade level quotas.
PAs who have siblings that are NOT on a waitlist and who would be outside of the quota limit (too far down the waitlist) for their grade level will be reviewed as an exception only.
All other selections from the waitlist will be made in the order in which they registered.
Exceptions: There are instances where a PA who is outside of the quota will be selected off of the waitlist based on a specific MDW need that cannot be filled by other PAs on the waitlist. These needs change yearly.
These criteria do NOT guarantee selection:
Attending camp a previous year (unless the criterion above is met).
Turning in all PA paperwork BEFORE being selected off of the waitlist will not guarantee selection.
Having a sibling camper or PA confirmed off of the waitlist. We will do our best, but does not guarantee a position.
Having other PAs that are in the same troop, school, club etc. does not guarantee a position.
Helpful Hints:
Register as soon as possible – registration fills quickly.
Have a parent volunteer for MDW – remember there are NO part time volunteers it is for the entire week.
Understand that filling out the PA application and references does NOT register a PA for MDW. Go to the MDW website and register from there.
Links to PA paperwork will be sent to PAs by the PA Coordinator. These links may also be in the confirmation email received by the adult registering the PA. PA Paperwork links will not be available on the MDW website this year. Complete the PA paperwork on time to ensure a position at MDW.
Keep your options open – there are other Girl Scout camps that need PAs – If you do not get into MDW you can still have a great leadership experience. Go to the Girl Scout website to check out your options: http://www.girlscoutsosw.org
After selection from the waitlist:
Before PA placement can begin PAs need to be ‘officially’ registered for MDW and complete the medical history forms and payment. This process is as follows.
A PA is selected from the waitlist based on the criteria noted above and the MDW registrar is notified.
The MDW Registrar will send an invitation to the registering adult of the selected PA to complete registration, medical history, and payment.
All PAs must be registered Girl Scouts. This is done via the GSOSW website and requires an additional $25 fee.
The PA Coordinator will send an email to the parent and/or PA indicating they have been selected from the waitlist. The email will include links to the PA paperwork and list applicable dates.
PAs must complete the paperwork by the due date or they will be returned to the waitlist. If a selected PA cannot meet the deadline for paperwork it is their responsibility to contact the PA Coordinator at mdw.pacoordinator@gmail.com to request an exception.
PAs that have a confirmed registration and all paperwork completed by the due date will be sent a confirmation email that all requirements have been met.
PAs that have been confirmed to be registered as a PA for MDW will be given their unit placement at Indoor Training.