Leaders-In-Training

Ages 13-17

Growing Leaders, One Summer at a Time

The Leaders-in-Training (LIT) Program is a three-year developmental experience designed to help teens build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and practice leadership in ways that feel meaningful and approachable. While the program prepares participants to support younger campers, its purpose extends far beyond camp: LITs gain life skills they can apply in the classroom, on the field, in social settings, and throughout their future.

At Summer at Brooks, we believe leadership is cultivated through thoughtful guidance, hands-on practice, and time spent in a supportive community. Across all three years, LITs learn strategies for effective communication, problem-solving, collaboration, conflict resolution, and self-reflection—skills that benefit them long after summer ends.

The camp environment provides a unique opportunity for teens to try these skills in real time. As they work with experienced staff, engage with younger participants, and navigate dynamic camp settings, LITs practice taking initiative, offering support, and stepping into roles that require responsibility and empathy. Each experience is carefully supervised by caring professionals who understand youth development and create space for teens to grow with confidence.

Upon completing all three years of the program, LITs who are at least 16 years old are encouraged to apply for a staff position at Summer at Brooks. Whether or not they choose to work at camp, graduates leave the program with a strong foundation for leadership—ready to contribute positively in school, on teams, and in their broader communities.

Year 1

Foundations of Leadership

Year 1 introduces LITs to the core skills and mindsets that underpin effective leadership. During a structured, closely supervised daily half-day training block, participants begin developing communication skills, confidence, problem-solving strategies, and an understanding of what it means to support younger campers.

Training sessions are led by two dedicated Year 1 LIT Leads, who guide teens through discussions, role-plays, and hands-on learning. These experiences help participants understand the fundamentals of youth development and begin practicing how to work positively and respectfully with others.

Outside of training time, LITs are paired with Brooks counselors in camp groups, giving them opportunities to apply what they are learning in a real-world setting. They observe how experienced staff lead activities, build relationships, and create inclusive group environments—skills that translate to school, sports, friendships, and community life.

Year 1 lays the foundation for growth, helping teens begin to see themselves as capable contributors and emerging leaders.

First-year Leaders in Training gather on campus during a learning session at Summer at Brooks in North Andover

Two Summer at Brooks Leaders in Training staff members talk to trainees

Year 2

Applying Skills & Building Confidence

LITs who successfully complete Year 1 are invited to continue into Year 2, where they take on expanded responsibilities across a wider range of camp settings. With increased exposure to different groups and activities, participants practice adaptability, teamwork, and emerging leadership skills in real time.

A dedicated Year 2 LIT Lead provides ongoing supervision, mentorship, and training—supporting teens as they navigate new responsibilities and continue developing their leadership identity. Year 2 LITs also meet three times a week for focused leadership sessions that build on the foundations introduced in Year 1.

Training covers strategies for engaging and supporting campers, positive behavior guidance, active listening, communication skills, and understanding the developmental characteristics of younger age groups. These sessions give LITs the confidence and tools to step into more active leadership roles during their time with campers.

Throughout the summer, participants apply these skills directly within camp groups, receiving coaching and feedback that deepens their learning. Year 2 emphasizes learning by doing—encouraging teens to take initiative, reflect on their role, and continue strengthening their ability to lead with empathy and purpose.

Summer at Brooks camp attendees sit outside together

A second-year Leaders-in-Training attendee smiles with a camper during an afternoon activity

Year 3

Leading With Initiative & Independence

Year 3 marks the final stage of the LIT Program and represents a meaningful shift toward greater independence and responsibility. LITs spend most of their day embedded within camp groups, contributing as active members of the team while continuing to receive mentorship.

They meet twice weekly with the program supervisor for leadership training centered on initiative, self-reflection, group management, communication, and confidence. As they move through the summer, Year 3 LITs are encouraged to take ownership of tasks, lead small group activities, and practice decision-making in ways that are appropriate to their developmental stage.

By the end of Year 3, LITs are expected to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, and a positive leadership presence. Graduates leave the program equipped with a wide range of transferable skills—including responsibility, communication, problem solving, teamwork, and the ability to support others—which prepare them for future success at school, on teams, in social settings, and beyond.

LITs who complete all three years and are at least 16 years old are encouraged to apply for a staff position at Summer at Brooks.

Leaders in Training participate in a hands-on leadership development session

Third-year Leaders-in-Training preparing to take on responsibilities as senior members

Support for Teens, Convenience for Families

What’s Included in the LIT Experience

The Leaders-in-Training Program offers meaningful growth opportunities for teens, supported by the full resources of the Summer at Brooks community. LIT tuition includes:

Daily lunch and snacks
Four LIT uniforms
All program materials and training supplies
Leadership training led by experienced staff who specialize in working with teens
Participation in camp activities, weekly themes, and special events

In addition to these included elements, LITs enjoy the benefits of the broader Summer at Brooks campus:

Transportation options across the Merrimack Valley, Boston’s North Shore, and southern New Hampshire. Find your bus stop.
Before-camp and after-camp care for families who need scheduling support.
Programs for all ages, allowing siblings to participate across Day Camp, Stages & Studios, or Summer Term.
Access to Brooks School’s facilities, offering a safe, engaging environment for leadership practice and hands-on learning

These supports ensure families have a seamless experience while giving teens every opportunity to explore their strengths, build leadership skills, and grow with confidence.

Two Leaders-in-Training smile with a camp attendee

Campers in the Leaders-in-Training program smile together and bond during an activity

Program Team

Michael Votto

Leader in Training Supervisor

Mike has led the Leaders-In-Training (LIT) program for nineteen years, guiding participants as they develop leadership skills and prepare for future roles in youth development. He currently serves as an elementary school principal after many years as a fifth-grade teacher in Andover. Mike has also coached boys’ soccer, lacrosse, and basketball at the high school level.

Drawing on classroom experience, coaching, and decades at Brooks, Mike is committed to helping young people realize their full potential. He and his wife, Nina, have two daughters who grew up attending Brooks Day Camp and later became staff members.

Molly Diodati

LIT Year 1 Lead

Molly joined the Leaders-In-Training team in 2024 and brings a strong foundation in youth development to her role. A fifth-grade teacher in Andover, she is passionate about helping young people grow with confidence, curiosity, and a strong sense of responsibility. Molly holds a Master of Education from Merrimack College and a Bachelor of Science from Springfield College.

Her family is also part of the Brooks community—her two daughters attend the Day Camp—and she enjoys spending time outdoors with them and her husband whenever she can.

James McDaniel

Year 1 Lead

James McDaniel celebrates ten years as part of the Summer at Brooks community. A former Brooks School Day Camp staff member, he spent five summers working with campers as both a counselor and activity staff member before completing his graduate studies and becoming a middle school ESL teacher in Lowell.

James returned to Brooks to join the Leaders-In-Training Program, which he describes as the most meaningful part of the camp experience. He is committed to helping future counselors build confidence, develop leadership skills, and step outside their comfort zones. Outside of camp, James is an avid reader and language learner, plays guitar, and is a devoted baseball fan.

Ramille Romulus

Year 2 Lead

Ramille Romulus enters his tenth year with the Leaders-In-Training team, bringing nearly thirty years of public school teaching experience to his role. During the school year, he teaches eighth-grade U.S. History and Civics in Lexington, where he has been a member of the faculty for two decades. Ramille is committed to helping young people grow as leaders and community members through meaningful, hands-on learning.

Outside of camp, Ramille enjoys working out, playing and coaching basketball, and traveling with his family to explore historical sites, restaurants, and the theater. He lives with his wife and two children.

Peter Moccia

Aquatics Supervisor

Peter studied chemistry at the University of Connecticut and has been a science teacher at Brooks School for seven years. He lives on campus with his family and oversees the summer aquatics program. With extensive experience in swimming pools and lifeguarding, Peter has worked in aquatics safety and pool operations since age sixteen.

He is lifeguard certified and a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) and works closely with the facilities team to ensure safe and well-maintained pool environments. Peter loves watching campus tran

Nicole Belisle

Logistics Supervisor

Nicole brings nearly twenty years of experience in school-based nutritional services to her role supporting Summer at Brooks operations. She leads the logistics team with a focus on safety and compliance, ensuring alignment with all Commonwealth of Massachusetts and North Andover Board of Health regulations. Nicole holds certifications in ServSafe, Allergy Awareness, CPR, and First Aid.

During the school year, she works as a teaching assistant and leads a team of youth development professionals in North Andover’s after-school program. A member of the Brooks summer team for more than ten years, Nicole enjoys softball, pickleball, and gaming. She lives in North Andover with her husband, two dogs, and a cat.

Melissa Donais

Health Care Consultant

Melissa Donais has served as the Health Care Consultant for Summer at Brooks since 2021, providing clinical guidance and ensuring compliance with all state and local health regulations. A Family Nurse Practitioner with more than a decade of primary care experience, she earned her master’s degree in nursing from Boston College and previously practiced at North Reading Medical Associates. Melissa is a graduate of Phillips Academy Andover and Yale University, where she received the Lily Rosen Prize in Women’s Health for her research on the Female Athlete Triad.

An accomplished runner, Melissa continues to compete in local and regional events. She lives in North Andover with her husband, Nate, their two children, Brennan and Audrey, and their dog, Uta.

Shannon Savage

Health Services Supervisor

Shannon Savage oversees the Summer Health Center’s daily operations, managing the nursing team and ensuring safe, responsive care in partnership with our Health Care Consultant. She brings more than a decade of nursing experience across critical care, pediatric rehabilitation, and family medicine, along with several years in nursing education and simulation.

Outside of Brooks, Shannon works as a Family Nurse Practitioner supporting pediatric and primary care patients. Her family is also part of the Summer at Brooks community—her son attends the Day Camp—and she enjoys spending time outdoors and staying active with family and friends.

Signature Programs