Wheel Kids’ Coach In Training program offers rising 7th through rising 10th graders an opportunity to gain experience working with youth, learn practical job skills, and hone their riding techniques.
CITs work with our professional staff on a daily basis during all camp activities. Our staff and management provide direct training and mentoring, while also encouraging individual initiative. A CIT’s duties sometimes may be similar to a coach’s but they are not held to the same level of responsibility or expectation. Working as a CIT is a chance to learn and have fun in a supportive and unique workplace environment. Our Coach-In-Training program strikes a balance between fun, responsibility, and privilege that young adults yearn for.
Working as a Wheel Kids CIT is an excellent path to future employment as a Wheel Kids coach.
Be a CIT. Come learn with us!
The CIT is assigned to a team at Wheel Kids. Under the guidance of the Head Coach the CIT assists with all aspects of running the team. This could include taking the lead during a group ride to set pace and model safe riding skills; it could mean “riding herd” in the middle or rear of the group to keep everyone together and maintain communication with the lead coach; it could be setting up a skills course, demonstrating the techniques and helping the group learn the skills; it could be refereeing or coaching a game; it could be chaperoning a small group during a field trip activity or other off-the-bike event. Many aspects of a coach’s duties can be performed by the CIT, as appropriate for age and abilities.
PERKS
Wheel Kids staff will train each CIT in these tasks. Training will entail direct teaching through discussion and demonstration, and lots of hands-on work with supervision and evaluation provided by the coaches. CITs can expect to learn leadership skills, social skills, communication skills, emergency preparedness and basic first aid, bicycle maintenance skills, and advanced bicycling skills (if appropriate to their initial cycling abilities). Wheel Kids is happy to assist with your school’s community service requirements.
- CITs must be rising 7th grade through rising 10th grade. We ask parents to assess their child’s maturity and interest prior to applying – some rising 7th graders, in particular, may not be ready yet. While rising 7th graders are eligible, a minimum age of 13 years is preferred.
- Bicycling skills should be high Level 5 (exhibiting all the skills of that category, and then some) to Level 6, with a bicycle appropriate to the Level 6 category (click here for our riding categories)
- CITs must be willing to work with all age and skill levels within Wheel Kids and be willing to switch teams or groups as needed to support the coaches. CITs must be willing to work as an authority with their own peers.
- Two weeks enrollment is required, with consecutive weeks preferred. Participation in a full session (two weeks or one – see camp schedules) is required. Please contact us if consecutive weeks don’t work for your schedule. One week of enrollment in one of our camps is recommended prior to serving as a CIT (if the applicant was in camp during a previous year, that counts).
- Fill out the CIT Application and Registration form below. An appropriate cover letter (email is ok) is strongly recommended to accompany your application. Submission no later than 1 April is recommended for best consideration.
- MANDATORY CIT TRAINING. All CITs must participate in a training/orientation session, returning CITs included.
Cost is $225/week. Fees are waived after three complete weeks. Please indicate on the registration form if you are available to participate in extended hours activities. There is no charge for participating (i.e., working) during extended hours. CITs do not count toward the overall enrollment of each week – so even weeks listed as FULL may be open for CIT registration.
RETURNING CITs
Fees are waived for returning CITs who have completed three full weeks. If you’ve been with us in previous summers and are approved to join us again we’ll waive your registration fees. You must participate in our MANDATORY training day.
APPLY NOW
Application & Registration Process
Step 1: Fill out and sign the CIT Application. Return the form to us by email or U.S. mail. We prioritize applications from candidates who fill out the form and contact us on their own rather than through a parent. We prioritize applications received before 1 April.
Step 2: After reviewing the Application we’ll contact the applicant to set up an interview.
Step 3: If approved as a CIT, we’ll contact you to confirm participation and weeks of enrollment. At that point payment can be made by cash, PayPal, or check*.
Step 4: Prior to the interview the applicant should be familiar with the Club Rules and What To Bring To Camp.
* Please see the Club Rules for information about payment by check.