The Future Leaders program is described as a counselor in training program designed for young teens to learn the responsibilities of becoming a summer program counselor in the future. Teens who have completed 9th grade and up, or are age 15 or older are eligible for this program.
Future Leaders will be responsible for assisting in daily activities with the summer programs. Participants will be required to attend all orientation sessions, dates to be announced at their interview, and staff meetings as well as be available for 5 of the 6 weeks that the summer program is being conducted, which is July 1st – August 9th (no camp July 4th) to be in the Future Leader Program.
Future Leaders will be placed at the different park sites where Summer Fun in the Sun will be conducted by the Clifton Recreation Department. Future Leaders do not get to select the site location they will be working at for the summer and will be notified of their placement at staff training. Participants of the Future Leaders Program must be able to get to all programs being conducted; no switching sites will be permitted. Please note this summer the program will be held completely outdoors daily.
All participants registered in the Future Leaders Program will be asked to come in for an interview to acquaint them with the procedures of applying for a real job and to see if this program is the best fit for them. Participants will be required to submit a letter of recommendation from a coach, employer, or teacher at their interview. Enrollment for this program is limited to 15 participants only. All Future Leaders selected will be required to attend staff training at the Community Recreation Center, 1232 Main Ave. (last week of June), and the park site they are assigned to for training. Exact dates & times will be given during interviews.
Each trainee will receive a mid-summer and final evaluation of their performance by the Site Director & the Summer Camp Supervisors. A personal consultation will accompany each evaluation to help the Future Leaders learn more about their performances and provide an opportunity for them to discuss any concerns or questions they may have encountered. A file will be kept on each participant of the Future Leaders Program and maintained at the Recreation Department.
The cost of the program is $75.00 (Residents Only), which includes two T-shirts. Future Leaders are eligible to attend weekly trips on Wednesdays with the Summer Fun in the Sun program for their enjoyment (not as a work day). Future Leaders must pre-pay for each trip that they wish to attend. If a Future Leader decides not to attend a Wednesday trip, then they do not work that day. All other trips/events that are scheduled or may be added (i.e. Summer Luau, Park Olympics, Summer Picnic, Special Shows, Camp Hope) are considered work days for the Future Leaders in which they do not pay additional fees. Trips and events can be paid online with, a credit or debit card, up until midnight, Monday the week before each trip (except for Liberty Science Center which is 2 weeks before. See registration deadlines for each trip/event below. Due to the trip facility's current guidelines and safety policies, these are firm registration deadlines. Payments can also be made with cash or check at the Recreation Office following the same registration deadlines below. Once you pay for the trip you are registered. If you miss the pre-registration deadline or the trip is full, please put your child on the waiting list online. Participants will be notified, if a spot becomes available, in the order in which they registered on the waitlist. Below is a list of trips for each session. Prices are available online.
Session 1:
Week 1: Liberty Science Center - Registration Deadline is 6/17/24
Week 2: Legoland Discovery Center/Sea Life Aquarium at American Dream Mall - Registration Deadline is 7/1/24
Week 3: Tomahawk Lake - Registration Deadline is 7/8/24
Session 2:
Week 1: Funplex - Registration Deadline is 7/15/24
Week 2: Camelbeach Waterpark - Registration Deadline is 7/22/24
Week 3: Castle Fun Center - Registration Deadline is 7/29/24
The Future Leaders Program Summer registration for 2024 will be conducted online. If you do not have access to a computer at home, you can come into the Recreation Department and use one of our computers. Visit www.cliftonrec.com/info/dept/details.aspx?DeptInfoID=1062 for registration procedures. Registration for this program ends Monday, June 3rd, or earlier if the program has reached maximum capacity.
Additional Information:
Please note, the entirety of the day is spent outdoors for program activities. In the event of inclement weather, before the day begins, parents will receive a text message after 8:00 a.m. to alert you if the program is canceled for the day (there are no indoor facilities available). Please make sure to sign up for mobile notification under your account. In the event of inclement weather, during the day, participants will need to be picked up as soon as possible because there is no shelter for them at the park.