Staff Development Program
The SDP (Staff Development) Program is a four-year leadership program for high school students that focuses on character development and service. This program is for teens who want to learn the skills necessary to transition from camper to camp staff. SDPs learn about leadership, camp counseling techniques, including how to be a positive role model for the campers, and how to facilitate camp activities. SDPs who successfully complete the four levels of this program will have a skill set that will transfer to any career path.
There are two paths our SDPs can choose to take
- CIT (counselor in training): This program teaches our SDPs the skills required to be a counselor. Under the supervision of our SDP Manager and an assigned Counselor, the CITs will learn how to effectively interact with campers and how to deal with common issues such as, homesickness, behavioral conflicts, and inclusiveness.
- KIT (kitchen in training): This program teaches our SDPs the skills required to work in the kitchen. Under the supervision of our SDP Manager, Operations Manager and the Head Cook, the KITs will learn proper food service requirements and techniques. * SDPs in this program are required to enroll as a CIT prior to enrolling as a KIT.
Freshmen SDP's
First-time SDPs, typically campers entering 9th or 10th grade in the fall, are required to attend one of the Freshman SDP Training Weeks. During this week of camp, they will live with other first-time SDPs and will grow as leaders under the direction of the SDP Manager. Teenagers going into 9th or 10th grade are not required to have attended YCB before to join the program.
Training Week Dates:
Adventure Week 2: June 18-24
“Survivor Week”- Outwit, and outplay the other cabins during Adventure Week 2! Take your camp experience to the next level as you and your cabin mates complete challenges in the quest to come out as the top “tribe” of our Survivor week!
Adventure Week 5: July 23-29
“Tropical Escape”- Looking for a tropical escape this summer? Sign up for Adventure Week 5 to experience the great outdoors at YCB. With water and land based activities, you don’t have to go far for an adventure filled retreat!
Price: $625 Members, $675 Non Members
Sophmore SDP's
Come to camp for 1 ADVENTURE Camp week and live with the campers and counselors serving as a role-model for the cabin. Training intensifies becoming more program specific, as sophmore SDPs will be in charge of campers throughout the day. You will also have a daily meeting with the camp’s Leadership Staff in which you will talk about the process and learn new skills to help you become a better SDP. Sophomores are also able to apply for the KIT program at this point.
Explorer Week 1: June 7-10
“Space Explorers”- Join us in a week of outer space adventures and intergalactic challenges. We need your help to find our compass and return it to the safety of Planet Benson!
Adventure Week 1: June 11-17
“Superhero Week”- Get ready to zip through the air on the zip line like Superman and escape to the Bat Cave like Batman. Help us protect the compass during this adventure packed week!
Adventure Week 2: June 18-24
“Survivor Week”- Outwit, and outplay the other cabins during Adventure Week 2! Take your camp experience to the next level as you and your cabin mates complete challenges in the quest to come out as the top “tribe” of our Survivor week!
Adventure Week 3: June 25-July 1
“Time Machine Week”- We have done it! We created the world’s first time machine. This first full week of camp, YCB will be taken to all different centuries. Dinosaurs, Space Exploration, Ancient Egypt, Square Dances, and the Greek Gods are all present here at YCB this week. Come with us as we go Back to the Future!
Explorer Week 2: July 5-8
“Mystery Week”- Something is afoot at Camp Benson. Mysterious beasts, new found magic, tasty potions. Embark on a 3-day quest with the leaders of YCB. There is much to be discovered and learned. Mysterious villains lurk around camp and it’s your job to sniff them out. We need the explorer’s help!
TEEN Camp Dates: July 9th – 15th
“Shenanigans Week”- Shenanigans, Opposite Day, breakfast for dinner, Green Eggs and Ham. This week we will all be thrown for a loop. No bets are off, you and your cabin will compete to be the wackiest cabin on camp this week. This is our last week, so you better bring all your creativity. Counselors have a lot planned for this week, get ready to have fun.
Adventure Week 4: July 16-22
“Fantasy Week”- Do you want to experience your favorite movie, show, video game screen free? Immersed in Hogwarts learning spells, fighting the evil empire with your own lightsaber, MAGIC THE GATHERING!!!! This week is for all the fellow Harry Potter fans, Star Wars fanatics, Magic players and Minecraft explorers!
Adventure Week 5: July 23-29
“Tropical Escape”- Looking for a tropical escape this summer? Sign up for Adventure Week 5 to experience the great outdoors at YCB. With water and land based activities, you don’t have to go far for an adventure filled retreat!
Adventure Week 6: July 30-August 5
“Strategy Week”-This week of Camp Benson is all about a camp favorite, sports and games. Gaga ball will be an option to play for campers every day. Evening programs will feel like Friday Night Lights. Every sport and/or game under the umbrella will be attempted this week, as well as our usual camp activities. Bring your game faces, this week will be a ball.
Adventure Week 7: August 6-12
“Down The Rabbit Hole Week”- Ooo! Don’t be late! Don’t be late! Follow the White Rabbit to the Mad Hatters Tea Party, croquet with the Queen of Hearts and a very Happy Unbirthday Party for all!
Price: $525 Members, $575 Non Members
*Discount Applied by the Camp Director after registration.
Junior SDP's
Junior SDPs are eligible to participate as an SDP for 2 weeks. Juniors have increased responsibility, time with campers and expectations. Camp Benson is much more selective of who progresses to this level as we will seriously begin to talk about their role as future staff members at YMCA Camp Benson. Junior SPDs are also eligible to enroll in the KIT programs at this point.
Explorer Week 1: June 7-10
“Space Explorers”- Join us in a week of outer space adventures and intergalactic challenges. We need your help to find our compass and return it to the safety of Planet Benson!
Adventure Week 1: June 11-17
“Superhero Week”- Get ready to zip through the air on the zip line like Superman and escape to the Bat Cave like Batman. Help us protect the compass during this adventure packed week!
Adventure Week 2: June 18-24
“Survivor Week”- Outwit, and outplay the other cabins during Adventure Week 2! Take your camp experience to the next level as you and your cabin mates complete challenges in the quest to come out as the top “tribe” of our Survivor week!
Adventure Week 3: June 25-July 1
“Time Machine Week”- We have done it! We created the world’s first time machine. This first full week of camp, YCB will be taken to all different centuries. Dinosaurs, Space Exploration, Ancient Egypt, Square Dances, and the Greek Gods are all present here at YCB this week. Come with us as we go Back to the Future!
Explorer Week 2: July 5-8
“Mystery Week”- Something is afoot at Camp Benson. Mysterious beasts, new found magic, tasty potions. Embark on a 3-day quest with the leaders of YCB. There is much to be discovered and learned. Mysterious villains lurk around camp and it’s your job to sniff them out. We need the explorer’s help!
TEEN Camp Dates: July 9th – 15th
“Shenanigans Week”- Shenanigans, Opposite Day, breakfast for dinner, Green Eggs and Ham. This week we will all be thrown for a loop. No bets are off, you and your cabin will compete to be the wackiest cabin on camp this week. This is our last week, so you better bring all your creativity. Counselors have a lot planned for this week, get ready to have fun.
Adventure Week 4: July 16-22
“Fantasy Week”- Do you want to experience your favorite movie, show, video game screen free? Immersed in Hogwarts learning spells, fighting the evil empire with your own lightsaber, MAGIC THE GATHERING!!!! This week is for all the fellow Harry Potter fans, Star Wars fanatics, Magic players and Minecraft explorers!
Adventure Week 5: July 23-29
“Tropical Escape”- Looking for a tropical escape this summer? Sign up for Adventure Week 5 to experience the great outdoors at YCB. With water and land based activities, you don’t have to go far for an adventure filled retreat!
Adventure Week 6: July 30-August 5
“Strategy Week”-This week of Camp Benson is all about a camp favorite, sports and games. Gaga ball will be an option to play for campers every day. Evening programs will feel like Friday Night Lights. Every sport and/or game under the umbrella will be attempted this week, as well as our usual camp activities. Bring your game faces, this week will be a ball.
Adventure Week 7: August 6-12
“Down The Rabbit Hole Week”- Ooo! Don’t be late! Don’t be late! Follow the White Rabbit to the Mad Hatters Tea Party, croquet with the Queen of Hearts and a very Happy Unbirthday Party for all!
Price: $425 Members, $475 Non Members
*Discount Applied by the Camp Director after registration.
Senior SDP's
Senior SDPs are allowed to come to camp for 3 weeks. Senior SDPs will experience top level responsibility including cabin responsibilities and leadership. Senior SDPs are the largest pool of potential staff members. All seniors are granted a formal staff interview in the winter. Senior SDPs are also eligible to enroll in the KIT programs at this point.
Explorer Week 1: June 7-10
“Space Explorers”- Join us in a week of outer space adventures and intergalactic challenges. We need your help to find our compass and return it to the safety of Planet Benson!
Adventure Week 1: June 11-17
“Superhero Week”- Get ready to zip through the air on the zip line like Superman and escape to the Bat Cave like Batman. Help us protect the compass during this adventure packed week!
Adventure Week 2: June 18-24
“Survivor Week”- Outwit, and outplay the other cabins during Adventure Week 2! Take your camp experience to the next level as you and your cabin mates complete challenges in the quest to come out as the top “tribe” of our Survivor week!
Adventure Week 3: June 25-July 1
“Time Machine Week”- We have done it! We created the world’s first time machine. This first full week of camp, YCB will be taken to all different centuries. Dinosaurs, Space Exploration, Ancient Egypt, Square Dances, and the Greek Gods are all present here at YCB this week. Come with us as we go Back to the Future!
Explorer Week 2: July 5-8
“Mystery Week”- Something is afoot at Camp Benson. Mysterious beasts, new found magic, tasty potions. Embark on a 3-day quest with the leaders of YCB. There is much to be discovered and learned. Mysterious villains lurk around camp and it’s your job to sniff them out. We need the explorer’s help!
TEEN Camp Dates: July 9th – 15th
“Shenanigans Week”- Shenanigans, Opposite Day, breakfast for dinner, Green Eggs and Ham. This week we will all be thrown for a loop. No bets are off, you and your cabin will compete to be the wackiest cabin on camp this week. This is our last week, so you better bring all your creativity. Counselors have a lot planned for this week, get ready to have fun.
Adventure Week 4: July 16-22
“Fantasy Week”- Do you want to experience your favorite movie, show, video game screen free? Immersed in Hogwarts learning spells, fighting the evil empire with your own lightsaber, MAGIC THE GATHERING!!!! This week is for all the fellow Harry Potter fans, Star Wars fanatics, Magic players and Minecraft explorers!
Adventure Week 5: July 23-29
“Tropical Escape”- Looking for a tropical escape this summer? Sign up for Adventure Week 5 to experience the great outdoors at YCB. With water and land based activities, you don’t have to go far for an adventure filled retreat!
Adventure Week 6: July 30-August 5
“Strategy Week”-This week of Camp Benson is all about a camp favorite, sports and games. Gaga ball will be an option to play for campers every day. Evening programs will feel like Friday Night Lights. Every sport and/or game under the umbrella will be attempted this week, as well as our usual camp activities. Bring your game faces, this week will be a ball.
Adventure Week 7: August 6-12
“Down The Rabbit Hole Week”- Ooo! Don’t be late! Don’t be late! Follow the White Rabbit to the Mad Hatters Tea Party, croquet with the Queen of Hearts and a very Happy Unbirthday Party for all!
Price: $100 Members, $125 Non Members
*Discount Applied by the Camp Director after registration.