L.I.T Week (Ages 14 &15)
Our L.I.T. program is a part of our Teen Adventure Camp program and is a transitional program for campers to become staff members. It is a rigorous program that is highly selective and competitive. Therefore, only those campers who are serious about joining staff should participate in the program.
This program allows campers ages 14 and 15 to see what being a part of the Pleasant Hill Outdoor Camp family is like. There are two main objectives of the LIT program. First, we want the LITs to experience the different areas of camp, such as counseling life, kitchen, maintenance, program, and more. We hope to provide them with hands-on and behind-the-scenes experience in making camp happen. Working at camp takes hard work, dedication, and passion. Through this program, LITs get to see and experience how all the moving parts come together to make camp. They may get to experience prepping and serving food in the kitchen, general housekeeping, handling camper situations, and general maintenance activities. Second, the week is designed to help campers grow in skills such as leadership, communication, conflict resolution, decision-making, emotional intelligence, time management, and more.
Ultimately, we hope that the camper is challenged to grow spiritually and learn the meaning of Servant Leadership. We strongly believe in experiential learning and throughout the week the LITs will be challenged to grow through many activities and team-building experiences. One of the benefits of this program is that if the camper is 15 years old and successfully completes LIT week, they will be offered a position for the following summer. Bonus, participating in LIT week can be used to gain some volunteer/community service hours!
Key Details:
Dates: July 13-18, 2025
- Check-in: Sunday, 3–5 PM (specific times in your confirmation email and Prepare for Camp Guide)
- Closing Ceremony & Check-out: Friday, 4 PM (families invited!)
- Cost: $325
- Winter Discount (Register before Jan. 1st): $255*
- Scholarship Options
*In order to receive this discount, you must register and deposit $100 before Jan. 1st
FAQs
How does my camper become involved?
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- Have to be 14 or 15 years old & fit what we are looking for in a LIT Camper
- Be available on during our LIT Week (dates above!)
- Your camper will have to fill out an application by April 30th- It is doing it the same way you previously registered- just add the LIT Week cart to your week. The LIT application will be added to your registration. Spaces are limited and filling fast! Register Here
- Pay the required deposit. This will go toward your camper fee.
- 2 Letters of Recommendation have to be turned in on the camper’s behalf. Campers are encouraged to have two types of recommendations: Spiritual ( e.g. pastor, youth leader, or spiritual mentor who can speak to your faith journey) and Personal, Academic, or Occupational ( e.g. family friend, coach, community member, teacher, boss/supervisor, Previous PHOC Staffer who can provide insights into your character and abilities. These are due April 30th. Submit Here (Instructions here as well)
- Shortly after April 30th, campers will receive a decision letter
- If accepted into the program, the camper must confirm their acceptance into the program within a week of the offer. Then LIT week will be added to your registration cart, and the rate is $325 for that program. You can pay toward this total as you are awaiting a response. All payment for this specific program will be due 3 weeks before your scheduled week unless arranged otherwise.
What are we looking for in an LIT?
Typical Teen Adventure Daily Schedule
8:00 am Rise & Shine
8:30 am Breakfast
Usually a hot breakfast like pancakes, eggs, sausage, etc… Of course, there is always cereal, juice, and milk, too. LITs prep for the day by eating a good hearty breakfast. During meals, LITs are rotated into the kitchen in teams, where they can serve by serving food, working the dish pit, food prep, and cleaning.
9:00 am Ignite (Morning Worship)
Our LITs are assigned cabins throughout the week. During this time, LITs will have the opportunity to sit with an age group they were assigned. They get a chance to see how cabin leaders manage their cabin. Also, LITs are given the chance to lead cabin devotions and ask camper questions.
10:00 – 12:00 pm LIT Daily Activity
During this part of the day, the LIT enjoy a special programming event just for them. This event varies every day- rather they go off-campus to see a waterfall, going to a nearby petting zoo, pool, park, or local attraction. In the past, we have floated down the river on tubes, swung on a rope swing into the lake, went kayaking/canoeing, and made lasting memories. This surprise event has proven to always be a LIT camper favorite thing throughout the day. They really appreciate they have a chance to be camper’s as well.
12:15 pm Lunch
We eat a nutritious lunch cooked by our wonderful Kitchen Director. Cabin clean-up scores are announced, and camper mail and emails are delivered. During meals, LITs are rotated into the kitchen in teams, where they can serve by serving food, working the dish pit, food prep, and cleaning.
1:00 pm FOB (Flat on Bunk)
During FOB for our other campers, we use this time to show the LITs some behind the scenes workings. For example, LITs are invited to join in our Jr. Staff Meeting with our 16 & 17 year old staff and experience how we update staff, pray and encourage each other, and assign roles/responsibilities.
2:15 pm Area Focused Time
Each day of camp, LITs have a chance to in depth get to learn about a specific area of camp. These areas include maintenance, kitchen, administrative, counseling/staffing and programming. In the past, they have learned about event planning and even got hands-on experience running games or activities. Also, LITs campers learned about the required maintenance upkeep, or how to manage a camp budget, or how to deal with camper issues, or how to run chapel.
4:00 pm Free Time (Camp Store Open)
Regular campers may choose from any activity open (which may vary and differ), and they may move freely between these activities. LITs during this time will be posted a specific activity and paired with another staff member to learn the ropes. Open activities may include mountain biking, slip n slide, gaga, camp store, archery, carpet ball, crafts, and more. Our Chadshack is also open during this time offering snacks and PHOC apparel to our campers.
5:30 pm Dinner
We eat a wonderful dinner cooked by our Kitchen Director. During meals, LITs are rotated into the kitchen in teams, where they can serve by serving food, working the dish pit, food prep, and cleaning.
6:30 pm Evening Game
The program team facilitates a camp-wide group activity for EVERY camper and staff member. This may include our field games, water games, and PHOC GOT TALENT, dance parties, and more. LITs are chosen each day to help set-up activities, explain rules, and facilitate the game. Those who are not programming jump in and have fun with campers.
7:30 pm Snack
We supply LIT campers with some time to enjoy some snacks & use the restroom before our chapel.
8:00 pm Evening Chapel
Each day closes by focusing on the ways Jesus cares for us. From crazy camp songs and funny skits to worship music and meaningful dramas, this interactive learning time helps each of us pursue a stronger relationship with our Creator. During this time, LITs will have the opportunity to sit with an age group they were assigned. They get a chance to see how cabin leaders manage their cabin. Also, LITs are given the chance to lead cabin devotions and ask camper questions.
9:00 pm LIT Chapel
We strongly believe in discipleship and pouring into all our age groups well. Therefore, we have a dedicated time where LITs can learn about what it means to be a leader biblically and how to apply that.
10:00 pm Showers + Bed Prep
Back at the cabin, campers prepare for bed with final drinks of water, showers, bathroom use, tooth brushing, fluffing of pillows, and any other preparations necessary to ensure that everyone is comfortably settled in for the night.
Thing to Know
- Each week we plan Cabin Night Out, where campers get a chance to experience outdoor. We go to our outdoor activity area, food is cooked over a fire, play an outdoor activity, and have a chapel in nature. Those in adventure camp return to their cabin, while teen campers enjoy a night outdoors. LITs may participate in this so bring the necessary materials.
- We believe that camp should grow with our campers. The activities that are available to your camper vary based on age, cabin, availability, and program. For example, Mountain Boarding is open to our younger cabins, whereas mountain biking is open to our older cabins. Furthermore, activities like our high ropes and canoeing are usually reserved for our teen adventure program.
- Whether it rains all week, thunderstorms, or whatever- We will try our best to still deliver Summer’s Best Adventure!
