– Do you love being outdoors, have a positive attitude, and like working with younger children?
– Is your dream job to work in the forest, helping others connect to our natural environment in deep and meaningful ways?
– Do you want to do the work needed to guide others on their path toward deep nature connection?
– Have you already spent hours in the forests learning about the magic of nature?
– Do you operate from a place of high integrity? Are you honest, loyal, and have good judgment?
– Are you between the ages of 14 and 18?
WHAT
The Two Coyotes Mentor In Training (MIT) leadership program consists of specialized direct instruction and guidance from Two Coyotes senior staff. It offers supportive mentoring and experiential training for those who want to gain leadership experience and may want to pursue a future in nature education. The intensive two week program will focus on Two Coyotes culture as well as skill building. MITs will learn deeply about the history of the skills we teach and the land we teach on. It is also an opportunity for teens to connect with like-minded individuals from across our community, and develop advanced skills that will serve them both within and outside of Two Coyotes.
– “Dirt Time” for Skill-Building: Focused time in small groups to work on nature based skills, giving you first-hand experience in multiple areas. Examples may be basketry, friction fire, cordage making, wildlife tracking, wild botanicals, wild edibles, flint-knapping, wilderness survival skills, bird language, and much more.
– Field Experience: Naturalist studies, self-discovery, deeper nature connection, land stewardship, leadership, natural and cultural history, experiential learning, the art of questioning, and other mentoring techniques. At the end of this program, teens will have at minimum 120 hours of experience in the field!
– Leadership Opportunities: Teens gain experience mentoring younger campers, and build skills in teamwork, facilitation, group leadership, and professionalism along the way.
– Community Building: MITs build relationships with other teens who share their values across all parts of our programming by spending quality time doing important work.
– Transcript and Resume Assistance: This experience can provide references for job and college applications. MIT alumni can apply to work at Two Coyotes once they are 16 or older.
– Community Service Hours: MITs are offered the opportunity to volunteer 40 hours over the course of the summer or school year. They have the option to add more hours to the initial 40, where possible.
– Cool Stuff: The coveted SEVENTH limited edition 2025 MIT t-shirt!
WHEN
WEEK ONE: June 16-20, 2025
MITs join our summer staff training and learn from our entire team of mentors across our three locations. During staff training, MITs divide their time between all-staff sessions and MIT-only break out sessions with their dedicated mentors. They will learn foundational skills through group conversations, individual mentoring, and practicing scenarios.
WEEK TWO: June 23-27, 2025
MITs split into Newtown and Granby cohorts. MITs will spend time each day honing their skills in a small group with their mentors. They will also spend time putting their training into practice by assisting a camp group for part of the day, and then returning to their MIT group to debrief their experience, gaining valuable feedback and guidance.
WEEK THREE: Service Week(s) in July/August
MITs can volunteer for service week(s) where they spend the full day with a group of campers, and continue to put their training into practice by supporting our Nature Mentors. At the end of each day they may be invited to participate with camp staff in our daily debrief and feedback sessions.
HOW TO APPLY
– MITs are selected through an application and interview process. All interested teens must fill out the application, as we have a limited number of spots available. Teens who have previously participated in MIT are encouraged to return for another year to deepen their skills and understanding, as well as gain further practice working in the field. Even if you previously participated in MIT, please complete and submit the application again.
– At the end of February, if your teen is between the ages of 14-18, you will receive an email from TCWS Program Coordinator Ben (benjamin@twocoyotes.org). This email will include a link to the MIT application form.
– In March, our staff team will schedule and conduct interviews with each applicant to determine their readiness and fit for the MIT leadership program.
– In April, if accepted into the program, parents/caregivers will be given a link to register the MIT and upload all needed camp forms, as well as pay tuition. The MIT program is part of our summer camp and teens are technically considered campers.
LOGISTICS
– Tuition for the MIT program is $650. This includes all needed program materials.
– Scholarships are available. Please complete the Scholarship Application during the registration process and feel free to reach out to Two Coyotes Operations Manager Dani (dani@twocoyotes.org) with any questions.
– The first week of the MIT program takes place at our summer staff training. Staff training combines staff and MITs from across our locations and alternates between Newtown and Granby from approximately 9am-5pm each day. We can help coordinate carpools if needed.
– The second week, as well as any volunteer service weeks that you are assigned to, take place during normal Two Coyotes camp hours (9am-3pm) at the camp location that you choose during registration (either Newtown or Granby). MITs may be invited to come early and stay late to attend some staff meetings. These typically occur one hour before and one hour after other campers arrive and leave (approx. 8am-4pm).
– Teens must have their own gear including clothing suitable for the weather, backpack, hiking shoes, water bottle, lunch and snacks. Your peers and younger campers will look up to you so we ask that you act with integrity and have an appearance younger campers can model at all times.
Questions? Reach out to Two Coyotes Program Coordinator Ben (benjamin@twocoyotes.org).
Join us this summer!