Meet the New SIT Director
The Staff in Training (SIT) program is the capstone program of any campers time at Camp Chi. It is the program that makes Camp Chi Campers into the world’s greatest counselors, amazing role models, and leaders in their communities. Every time campers walk into the dining hall, they see CIT & SIT plaques dating back decades and they know that one day they could be part of something special! One thing that makes the SIT program so special is that is always changing, improving, adapting, and growing. This year, part of that change is that we will have a brand new SIT Director! The SIT Director is the person that runs the day-to-day of the SIT program over the summer, and it is an incredibly important job in camp, as they are helping to mold the future generations of Camp Chi leadership! This year, there is no one that we trust more with this amazing opportunity than our very own Lexi Dockman! Kyle Kolling, the SIT Director in 2018 and 2019 will be working closely with Lexi to help ensure a seamless and successful transition. Kyle was one of Lexi’s SIT staff and the two have worked together many times since, and are eager to see what the SITs of 2020 will accomplish. Lexi is so excited to work with this amazing group of SIT’s in 2020, and wanted to take a minute to introduce herself.
My name is Lexi Dockman and I am thrilled to be returning to Camp Chi as the new SIT director! This will be my 7th summer as a staff member and 12th summer overall at Chi. Over the years I have been in a variety of roles including, camper, SIT(2013), counselor, SIT staff (2017), and most recently a village leader for the past 2 summers. I graduated from Bradley University with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Spanish, Women & Gender Studies, and Sociology before moving back home to Minnesota where I am currently working towards earning my Master’s degree in Counseling and Psychological Services.
SIT summer is my all-time favorite program at camp and I cannot wait to take part in it once again. When I was a camper, I couldn’t wait for the day when I got to be a SIT. I couldn’t wait until I got to participate in my own SIT play, SIT-Staff volleyball game, and got to serve meals on Shabbat. Little did I know SIT summer would be so much more than that. SIT summer I learned to be a leader, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone with the support of my fellow SITs, I gained greater confidence in myself, and I got to make a positive impact on the campers that I engaged with during placements. Placements made a huge impact on my decision to continue to come back to camp each summer. I was lucky enough to be placed with a first year Shoreshim cabin who I adored, I went on to be a junior counselor for this grade and then a senior counselor for this grade all the way promising that one way or another I would be there at camp for their SIT summer. It is unbelievable to me that the time has come and they will be this summers’ SITs.
Everyone says that SIT summer is a life changing opportunity and I cannot wait to guide the SITs throughout their summer of growth, learning, and most importantly fun! The SITs are an integral part of creating a successful summer experience each year and they are the future leaders of camp. I have lots of exciting things planned and look forward to seeing the SITs in action. I am grateful for everything Camp Chi has given me and I’m looking forward to giving back in my new role as SIT Director.