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:

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 — blending nationally recognized certifications with custom lessons shaped by years of coaching and sports management experience. Each module is designed to equip future CITs with the tools, mindset, and confidence to create positive, safe, and high-energy experiences for every athlete.

Pre-Camp Staff Training:

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

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

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

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.

Leadership Academy Tuition & Enrollment

Each 5-day / 4-night session of the Signature Leadership Academy is $1,425 when you register by November 30. Your tuition includes housing, meals, training materials, and all Leadership Academy programming, including mentorship sessions, specialty workshops, and hands-on coaching experiences.

This special early enrollment rate won’t last — secure your spot before pricing increases on December 1! Flexible payment options are available: reserve your place with a deposit and enroll in a monthly payment plan, or pay in full upfront.

Click below to create your family account and register for the session of your choice. Once enrolled, you’ll receive access to the Leadership Academy Welcome Packet, including arrival details, policies, packing lists, and your pre-camp virtual training login.

Coach in Training Testimonials

“Over these past two summers, I have had the most rewarding time under the Signature Sports Camp Internship program. It is extremely rewarding being able to teach my sports and life knowledge to the next generation of athletes, while learning some valuable lessons from them. Working with the other amazing coaches from all over the world has been a great experience in teaching me how to work in a team setting and creating relationships that will last a lifetime.”

“Through my track as a Marketing and Operations Intern with Signature Sports Camps, I have grown both personally and professionally. The supportive leadership and hands-on experiences allowed me to jump right in, boost my confidence, and foster my creativity. I was always encouraged to share my thoughts and ideas, which fueled my passion for marketing. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a powerful mission alongside great people.”

“My experience with Signature Sports Camps was truly rewarding and helped shape me for my future. Having a passion for sports, events, social media content, and giving our youth a perfect blend of competitive fun made Signature Sports Camp the ideal internship. Seeing the camp in person not only proved just how amazing this program is, but allowed me to tap back into being a kid at summer camp!”

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Leadership Academy?

Athletes who are 16 or 17 years old, boys or girls. The Leadership Academy will be a good fit for athletes who are interested in coaching, sports management, or management career paths. The program requires a high level of personal accountability and passion – we work with athletes who are serious about leadership and getting the most out of their experience with us.

Will the CITs in the Leadership Academy still be supervised and treated like campers?

Yes - absolutely. The Leadership Academy is a track within our Overnight Sports Camp experience. The CITs are still counted as campers and supervised accordingly. CITs have a later “lights out”, at 10:30PM instead of 10PM, to give them an opportunity to debrief about the day with their Resident Coach, however expectations on Overnight Policies and Camp Safety policies are enforced with ALL campers.

Will my child within this program still get coached/trained within their sport?

Yes - CITs are active participants in drills and demonstrations with the younger campers they are coaching. However, they also have the opportunity to train with the Resident Coaches in pick-up sessions throughout the week, morning shootarounds, and a special training session with the Headlining Pro (yes, you heard that right: CITs get to train specifically with the Headlining Pro without the younger campers involved in their own dedicated session).

Can I apply these Leadership Academy Hours to an internship at a Community College (dual enrollment), High School, or future institution?

Many students use their Leadership Academy experience to fulfill internship or volunteer hour requirements for school credit, while others use it as a strong resume and college application booster. Because every school has different criteria for accepting hours, eligibility is determined individually. If you’d like to pursue credit, please email director@overnightsportscamps.com. Our team will gladly collaborate with your school to provide documentation outlining program objectives, learning outcomes, and total hours completed.