The Signature Leadership Academy: Coaches-in-Training (CIT) Program
The Signature Leadership Academy is where athletes become leaders. Designed for boys and girls ages 16 – 17, this Coaches-in-Training program gives older campers hands-on experience working alongside Resident Coaches and the Directing Staff. Through an internship-style curriculum, CITs learn how to lead warm-ups, coach drills, and mentor younger athletes, applying what they learn in real time at camp. Each day builds leadership, communication, and coaching skills that last far beyond the field. Participants earn internship or volunteer hours, a Letter of Recommendation, and the confidence to lead — the Signature Way.
Real Experience. Real Mentorship.
Signature’s Internship Program has been available to college students since 2018. From the University of South Florida to the University of South Carolina, we’ve collaborated with leading colleges to deliver real-world experience in Sports Marketing, Coaching, and Sports Business Management concentrations. Now, high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates can join the Leadership Academy to gain a head start in the sports industry, building real coaching experience and standout credentials for college applications and beyond.
A Real-Life Success Story: Jaida Irwin has been interning for Signature Sports Camps since 2023. She started in the Sports Marketing track and quickly elevated to the Head of the Interns Team, gaining valuable experience in Management for her Business degree at USF. Jaida has just been offered the Marketing & Operations Coordinator position at Signature Sports Camps’ Florida Location.
A Day in the Life of a Coach-in-Training
So, what does a ‘Day in the Life’ of a camper within the Leadership Academy look like? Our Coaches-In-Training have a slightly different schedule compared to their younger counterparts in the traditional overnight sports camp track or day camp program. Here’s a look:
The Party Before the Party
The Leadership Academy begins with a Virtual Training Series so CITs can meet each other and understand the purpose, outcomes, and expectations of the Academy.
Pre-Camp Virtual Training: A curated series of online modules featuring industry experts — including the Positive Coaching Alliance, the CDC, and Signature’s own Executive Team — combining nationally recognized certifications with custom lessons built from years of coaching and sports management experience.
Pre-Camp Staff Training: CITs arrive early on Check-In Day at 9:30 AM, giving them a head start before campers arrive. After unpacking and settling in, they’ll join the first Academy Meeting, where we outline the camp experience and expectations for Day One. From there, Resident Coaches lead hands-on training focused on the Practice Plan and Check-In process. CITs are also paired with their mentoring coaches and introduced to their team rosters — preparing them to step confidently into leadership roles for the week ahead.
The Camp Experience
From check-in through check-out, CITs assist with camp operations, coaching, practice planning, and activities… all while meeting separately in breakout sessions led by subject matter experts in coaching, sports psychology, and sports management, to gain real-life leadership experience on and off the field. In a typical day, a CIT participates in…
Specialty Meetings: Each day, CITs participate in focused sessions designed to strengthen their leadership and coaching skills. These meetings may include seminars with our Sports Psychologist on building confidence through practice design, or workshops with our Sports Leads on tracking athlete development and measuring on-field progress. Every session combines expert insight with hands-on learning — giving CITs practical tools they can apply immediately within camp.
Coaching Sessions: CITs learn directly under the guidance of their paired Resident Coach, gaining firsthand experience in the art of teaching and mentorship. Together, they collaborate on leading demonstrations, working one-on-one with athletes, and developing practice plans using the Signature Sports Camps Player Development Model. By the end of the week, CITs actually walk away more proficient in their sport now that they are equipped with the tools, language, and mindset to coach the very concepts they’ve mastered as players.
Team Leadership: CITs participate in the camp experience fully: CITs cheer on the younger campers during games, join in camp traditions, and make sure every athlete feels included and motivated. Through these experiences, CITs learn that true leadership isn’t just about coaching skills – it’s about inspiring others to have fun, work hard, and embrace the Signature Way.
And at the end of the week, CITs meet with the Locational Director for a close-out meeting. It’s here that they get valuable feedback from their mentors at camp and go over the objectives scorecard to understand what areas we see them thrive in and what areas we recommend they work on in the next year ahead. We leave each CIT with a personal Letter of Recommendation to be used for either college or job applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
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