Calleva

Adventure is not in the guidebooks and beauty is not on the maps

LIT ⎯ A Letter from Tony

I am Tony Witter, the Director of the “Leaders in Training” Program at Calleva.   

The “Leaders in Training” Course (LIT) is a powerful course for young teenagers to learn techniques to build their self-acceptance and confidence and have fun while doing so! This will be our 24th summer running LIT.  

LIT Program Details

The LIT Course is five days and four nights. Our primary location is Prince William Forest Park, just above the Quantico Marine Base and just off Route 95 South. We are there for 3 days and then work our way back to the Calleva Farm on Thursday.

With the LIT group of 12 teens, who are ages 13 – 16, there is a LIT Instructor, a Senior Counselor, and a Junior Counselor.

The week is spent living and doing adventure activities in nature. 

Activities include:

  • Land navigation using a map & compass
  • Ropes course with high & low elements
  • Creek swimming
  • Capture the Flag
  • Night hiking
  • Board-breaking metaphor
  • Solo Vision Quest
  • Paintball


Activities are complemented by a performance psychology curriculum.

Mindset models include:  

  • Habits & the conscious/subconscious mind: Our identity is shaped by our beliefs/habits – understanding how they begin, operate in our minds, and determine much of our daily lives + understanding how to change them intelligently and effectively.
  • The role of fear and the law of focus: Learning how unchecked fears can keep us from growth and how to use them for motivation instead, plus how to override negative self-talk and expand our identity.
  • Goal setting and self-evaluation: How to accurately measure ourselves personally, emotionally, and socially, and how to set intelligent and achievable goals in these areas.

The LIT Week is Exciting, Fun, and Impactful!

Our teaching philosophy is “challenge by choice” and we don’t push participants to do something they are not ready for. We establish a supportive and encouraging environment and know that all of us grow at an individual pace.

Below my signature are some testimonials from teenage graduates of LIT and some parents. Below that is the clothing and equipment list. 

All the meals are provided. The fee for the LIT is $1,375. We do have some scholarships available, so please let me know if there is a need. I will email you a detailed itinerary about 3 weeks before the start of the LIT.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

“We are here to assist parents by teaching their teenagers tools they can use to increase their self-confidence and acceptance!”

Sincerely,

Tony 

Tony Witter
Director, Leaders in Training Program
Calleva; www.calleva.org
Cell – 240 793 2424

Testimonials

From Teenagers:

I didn’t know it was possible for a summer camp program to make such a difference.”

– Dan L.

LIT has been the most significant factor in my personality, self-esteem, and spirit’s growth. It pulled my out of my preteen doldrums. It gave me the confidence to talk to girls, to give a wrong answer in class, and, best of all, to lead. But the best thing LIT gave me was some awesome role models in every single one of my counselors.”

-Conor Q.

Because of this magnificent program you all run, I know how to take on the world.”

– Hilary D.

LIT helped me take control of my life when I needed to the most…It’s helped me gain courage and confidence, and recently, has shown me how much power & opportunity I have to live my life well and to the best of my ability, now that I am strong, brave, competent, and independent.”

-Audrey C.

I was skeptical when I joined LIT, but after going through all these courses and expanding my comfort zone, I’ve gained so much experience and knowledge. I know who I am, how to open up to myself and others, things I need to work on and so much more…LIT gave me the opportunity to make a change in my life I wouldn’t have done anywhere else, and I’ve learned that I have so much potential, and with it, there’s more to come after graduating, and without those instructors that started this I wouldn’t be who I am as a person and a leader. Thank You.”

-Sam B.

The LIT program has provided me with a set of skills that will transcend my teenage years, and will continue to be a part of me that will be there when I feel unable, lonely, bored, tired, or useless. During these times, my ability to bounce back will always be ready, all because of the skills LIT has taught me.”

-Dana C.

From Parents:

Jacob had a great time and came back raving about you and the rest of the team.He has clearly made a break through on his fear of heights — which I didn’t really know he had. He also seems more receptive to new ideas and new ways of thinking.  Clearly, the dividends from this experience far exceed anything we might have expected.  Thanks.”

– Darren

Thank you very much!  Genavera (the youngest in your group) had a wonderful experience. She has said that she was very glad she went on LIT and has shared many things from the week, including funny stories, and has proudly shown us the board she broke in two and stated that she now has a better sense of her capabilities and how to set her mind to do great things. Thank you all for another terrific Calleva adventure and for taking such good care of the kids. Next week caving!”

– Nancy

Our daughter, Sara attended Calleva’s “Leaders in Training” (LIT) course. We found the Calleva’s LIT program to be a challenging and energizing experience for our daughter, Sara. The LIT program required Sara to step outside her “comfort zone”, allowing her to both identify, and then break through, the obstacles to her personal success.  Through individual introspection and group collaboration, Sara gained the additional self-confidence she needed to succeed in school, while improving relationships with both friends and family.

Calleva’s LIT program also provided a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends, share exciting camp adventures and become a part of the Calleva family.

We feel that Calleva’s LIT program assisted Sara in discovering her own path to success … a most valuable experience for every teenager! “

– Lisa

Daniel had a fantastic week full of challenging fun and learning. He has been trying to catch us up on everything you guys did over the past five days and I am sure stories will be trickling in for a while. Daniel’s favorite aspect of the week was meeting everyone, he said it was a wonderful mix of campers, LIT leaders and instructor. Thank you to all for making this an important event for my son and to everyone at Calleva for understanding what makes young people tick and grow.”

– Gitte

Clothing and Equipment List for Your Teenager on the LIT:

Please read carefully and understand the item description. The goal is to have every young adult in the “LIT” course outfitted properly in order to be comfortable and safe while in the woods and doing experiential exercises.

If you have any questions or if you would like more information please call Tony Witter at (240) 793 2424 or E-mail at Tony@calleva.org. We are aware of the expense and variety of equipment and clothing required. Where you can, we suggest borrowing from friends and family to cut down the cost.

Note: The stores like REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods and other camping and outdoor adventure equipment stores will have the items below. Target, Kohl’s and Walmart will most likely have most of these items and will be more economical.

Camping Necessities (no cell phones, i-pods, or reading materials please. )

  • A duffle bag/plastic bag or any bag capable of carrying all the items below. (the sleeping bag can be separate) 
  • Sleeping bag – Summer weight – a summer synthetic –fill material rated around 40 degrees. (Buy an inexpensive one)
  • Sleeping pad (a full length closed cell foam pad, or Thermarest (manually inflatable pad)
  • Small sleeping bag pillow (optional)
  • One wash cloth
  • One small hand towel
  • Insect Repellent
  • A flashlight
  • Clothes: (Total, including what is worn upon arrival.)
  • Baseball cap (optional)
  • Swim suit, or they can wear quick-dry shorts
  • Four pairs of socks
  • Four changes of underwear
  • Two T-shirts (please get T – Shirts that are light-weight and made from nylon or other quick-drying material (Not Cotton)
  • Two long sleeve shirts (light-weight and made from nylon or other quick-drying material.(We will wear these when doing land navigation in the woods to protect the arms from branches and ticks. 
  • One pair of shorts (light-weight and nylon or other quick-drying material.
  • Two pairs of light-weight long pants. (light-weight and made from nylon or other quick-drying material.) (We will wear these light-weight long pants when in the woods on orienteering to protect the legs from branches and ticks. No Jeans, they are too heavy for summer.)
  • Bandanna (this is great to wear loosely around your neck to use as a sweat cloth to wipe your face) (optional)
  • Rain jacket (lightweight)
  • One pair of sneakers
  • One pair of water shoes (must have straps that hold them on the foot) We will use these when we swim in the pond or do a creek hike.
  • Prescription glasses or contact lenses. (Glasses are best in the woods.) (Bring an extra pair of eyeglasses. Bring eye glass straps to prevent glasses from falling off)

Hygiene and Other Personal Items:

  • Tooth brush
  • Floss
  • Toothpaste
  • Sunscreen
  • Comb
  • Tampons or other hygiene items
  • Zip-Lock plastic bag to put toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste in.

Eating Gear: 

  • A plastic bowl and a spoon
  • 2 Water bottles (plastic 0ne-liter size)