Camp Good News ® is a ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship ™
120 Twin Lakes Road, Hawthorne, Florida 32640, United States
Rooted Follower Program (RF) - replaces CIT
For 13 and 14-year-olds (by invitation for 13-year-olds); Some 15-year-olds at Camp Direction
Where Leaders Are Built and Faith Takes Root
The Rooted Follower (RF) Program is the replacement for what was previously our CIT (Counselor in Training) Program.
Are you ready to take the next step in your walk with Christ and your Camp Good News journey? The Rooted Follower Program is a special opportunity to grow, serve, and be poured into by our staff in a way that shapes you for years to come.
Why "Rooted Follower"? Before anyone is ready to lead, they need deep roots. Colossians 2:7 says believers are to be "rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith." And before anyone is ready to lead others, Jesus' first invitation to His disciples was simply "follow me" (Matthew 4:19). This program is that season: growing deep roots and learning to follow well, so that leadership, when it comes, is built on something solid.
The Rooted Follower (RF) Program is for young people who already know Jesus and want to grow in their faith and learn to share Him with others. It is for students who are serious about one day joining our Discipleship Leadership Program (DLP) and who want to spend a summer learning, growing, and serving alongside our staff. Rooted Followers are part of a team. They learn what it means to work alongside others, to be dependable, and to grow in godly character while being mentored by our discipleship leadership staff.
This program is intentionally different from being a camper again or being placed in charge of younger children. At its heart, the RF Program is about training and growth. It's for students who are serious about their own walk with the Lord and about one day being part of the Discipleship Leadership Program, and who want to be rooted, tested, and shaped along the way.
Rooted Followers serve alongside our support crew, helping with the daily work that keeps camp running, including chores and cleanup. This is where character is built, and it is honest, valuable work: showing up on time, doing behind the scenes work with a good attitude, and learning to serve without needing recognition. As a Rooted Follower grows in maturity, faithfulness, and teachability, they may occasionally be invited to help in a group setting. This is a privilege earned over time, not a guaranteed part of the program, and Rooted Followers should not come expecting group placement.
What Rooted Followers Can Expect
This is a summer of real growth, not just a summer of activity. Here's what that looks like:
- A summer built around growing in faith and learning to share it with others
- Real responsibility, including chores and cleanup
- Mentorship from DLP staff and camp leadership
- Daily Bible study and discipleship teaching
- Opportunities to be evaluated for future DLP placement, based on attitude and faithfulness, not seniority
- A summer that stretches you spiritually and personally
While completing the RF program does not guarantee a spot in the DLP, Rooted Followers who serve faithfully give themselves a real advantage when they apply. Our staff will already know their character, work ethic, and the training they have completed, which goes a long way in the DLP application process.
This program is for students who want to grow, not students who want a title. We have found that Rooted Followers who come with the right heart, ready to learn, serve, and be shaped, are the ones who thrive here and go on to become some of our strongest future leaders.
"A student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher." — Luke 6:40
Evenings and Bible Study Matter
We strongly encourage/require Rooted Followers to stay for dinner and evening Bible study. This is where much of the real growth happens, and students who leave right after the day program often miss the deeper community and discipleship that make this experience transformative. If there is a hardship or a specific reason your Rooted Follower cannot stay some evenings, please reach out and talk with us. We are happy to work with your family when we can.
Program Schedule
The RF Program runs Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM, alongside our regular Summer Day Camp. On Wednesdays, Rooted Followers are asked to stay and join us for our evening service at local churches.
Age
- 13-year-old Rooted Followers: Participation is by staff invitation only, so 13-year-old applications without invitation are not accepted. 13-year-old Rooted Followers are day-only and do not spend the night at camp.
- 14-year-old Rooted Followers: May be given the opportunity to spend the night at camp and may be directed toward the DLP application process at our discretion, based on demonstrated maturity and readiness. 14-year-olds do need to fill out the background check.
- 15-year-old Rooted Followers: Even though many 15-year olds are ready for the DLP program, some may also participate in the RF program at the discretion or direction of the Camp Coordinators.
Program Details
- Eligibility: Must be at least entering 8th grade. 13-year-olds should not apply directly without invitation and may only join the RF Program by invitation from camp staff.
- Commitment: A minimum of 3 weeks during the summer is required.
- Priority Consideration: Applicants who can serve additional weeks, who completed 4+ weeks previously, or who have demonstrated strong maturity and teachability may be given priority for future DLP placement consideration.
- Training Camp: Attendance at pre-camp Training Camp is required before the summer begins.
- Pre-Camp Training: Participation in online training calls via Discord may also be required before camp begins.
- Application Process:
- Fill out the RF application form.
- Interview with the Camp Coordinators.
- Applying does not guarantee acceptance. You will be refunded if you are not accepted.
Application Deadline: May 15th, 2027
Why This Program Is Worth the Investment
The RF Program is intentionally small and hands-on. Your Rooted Follower will receive focused mentorship from our discipleship leadership staff, not just supervision. They will be taught, encouraged, and invested in individually, the same way we invest in our DLP staff. This is training, not simply time spent at camp, and families often tell us it is some of the most valuable time their student spends all summer.
Program Costs
- $100 per week for first-year Rooted Followers
- $50 per week for second-year Rooted Followers
- Includes breakfast (for those arriving by 8:00 AM), lunch, and dinner each day
Ready to Be Shaped?
The Rooted Follower experience is a launchpad, built on humility, service, and faithfulness in small things before big responsibility is ever given. It will ask more of you than a typical summer, and it will give back even more in return. If you are ready to learn what it truly means to lead like Christ led, by serving first, we would love to walk alongside you this summer.
"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." — 2 Timothy 2:2
Are you ready to be rooted, tested, and transformed? We can't wait to see what God does in you this summer.