Leaders-In-Training

Ages 13-17

The Leaders-in-Training program is a transformative journey designed to empower participants in cultivating leadership skills, nurturing self-confidence, and embracing the role of a responsible role model.

At Brooks, we firmly believe that leaders are not born but made. Our unique program is structured over three years, with each year building upon the foundation laid in the previous year. Through this comprehensive experience, participants develop skills that transcend their time at Brooks, shaping their growth in all aspects of life.

Our Leader-in-Training Program takes a holistic approach, offering teenagers a range of mentored, healthy experiences in the safety of our outdoor environment, meticulously supervised by highly skilled professionals. After successfully completing this three-year program, LITs who are at least 16 years old are encouraged to take the next step by applying for a staff position. This program serves as a springboard to a future of leadership, growth, and success.

Year 1

In their first year, our Leaders-in-Training (LITs) immerse themselves in a structured and closely supervised training program that occupies half of their day. This dedicated training period is where LITs begin to cultivate their leadership abilities, build confidence within the group, and absorb the fundamental qualities of being a proactive youth development professional. These invaluable daily training sessions are expertly led by our two first-year LIT Counselors.

Beyond their training, LITs are actively integrated into camp groups, where they collaborate closely with our experienced Brooks staff. This hands-on involvement allows LITs to put their newly acquired skills to the test and glean insights from seasoned counselors. By thoughtfully crafting the Year One experience, we ensure that LITs witness firsthand how best practices in youth development are seamlessly applied to real-world situations. It’s a holistic approach that prepares them for a future of leadership excellence.

Year 2

LITs that have successfully completed the first-year program are invited to embark on an enriching journey in our second-year LIT program. Year two is all about expanding horizons, as LITs find themselves in a diverse array of camp settings. The focal point shifts to honing leadership abilities, mastering camper management skills, and fostering growth in facilitation skills, all while engaging in a wide range of activities.

To further enhance their development, second-year LITs convene three times a week for dedicated leadership training. This intensive training delves into specific strategies for effectively engaging with campers, including mastering positive behavior management techniques, practicing active listening, refining communication skills, and gaining a deeper understanding of the age-specific characteristics of children. It’s a year of profound growth and learning, preparing our LITs to be exemplary leaders in the world of youth development.

Campers sitting on the group paying attention to something

Year 3

In the third and final year of our LIT program, we witness the culmination of the training process. Year three represents a pivotal shift from the preceding two years, as LITs now immerse themselves in group activities for the majority of their day. Gathering twice a week, our program supervisor leads the way in leadership training, with a profound focus on bolstering each LIT’s self-assuredness as a leader. By the end of this transformative program, we expect our LITs to take the initiative and embody a diverse range of strategies and skills, ultimately becoming role models who are organized, positive, and effective communicators.

Our LIT program is committed to equipping graduates with a skill set that includes effective management strategies, conflict resolution, self-responsibility, and exemplary communication abilities. As participants progress through this program, they will experience a profound shift in their perspective, becoming more attuned to the art of giving back and engaging with others. At Brooks, every LIT is granted the opportunity to step into a leadership role within a positive and supportive community, with a shared focus on youth development. It’s a transformative journey that sets the stage for a future marked by leadership and impact.

Program Team

Michael Votto

Leader in Training Supervisor

Mike has worked at Brooks in this role for the past seventeen years. Mike leads the LIT program, guiding participants to become youth development professionals in a friendly camp atmosphere. With over twenty years in education, Mike is currently an Assistant Principal and formerly taught fifth grade in Andover. He has also coached J.V. Boys Soccer, J.V. Boys Lacrosse, and Freshman Boys Basketball at Andover High. Mike draws on his classroom, camp, and coaching experience to help young people realize their full potential. He is pursuing a second master’s degree in school leadership and is married to his wife, Nina. They have two daughters who attended Brooks School Day Camp and are now counselors.

Ramille Romulus

Year 2 Coordinator

Ramille has been a member of the LIT team since 2017. Ramille currently teaches 8th grade U.S. History in Lexington Public Schools. Ramille is the father of two boys. His oldest son currently attends Clark University, and his youngest joins Rammile each summer as a camper in the Brooks School Day Camp.

Peter Moccia

Aquatics Supervisor

Peter Moccia, originally from Haverhill, 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 aquatics programs during the summer. With extensive experience in swimming pools and lifeguarding, Peter has been involved in pool operations since he was 16. He is lifeguard certified and a Certified Pool Operator (CPO), working closely with the facilities team to ensure pool safety. Peter loves seeing the campus transform into a vibrant camp community and has been part of the camp staff for three summers.

Kenya Jones

Activities Supervisor

Kenya leads the sixteen activity teams at Brooks School Summer Programs, fostering a welcoming, positive camp environment that encourages independence, leadership, and healthy risk-taking. Kenya has been involved with the program for over twenty years, serving as an activity counselor and LIT Coordinator. He joined the Brooks School faculty in 2007 and has held roles including form dean, psychology teacher, coach, and now Associate Director of Admission and first team boys basketball coach. Kenya earned his B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Legal Studies from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, cooking, playing trivia, and cheering for New York sports teams.

Nicole Belisle

Logistics Supervisor

Nicole is passionate about the food service industry and plays a key role in the Brooks School Summer Programs, where she supervises the logistics team to ensure compliance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and North Andover Board of Health regulations. With nearly twenty years of experience in school-based nutritional services, 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. In her free time, Nicole enjoys softball, tennis, and gaming. She lives in North Andover with her husband, two dogs, and a cat.

A woman with long light brown hair and a wide smile is standing outdoors with greenery and mountains in the background.

Melissa Donais

Health Care Consultant

Melissa Donais, RN, FNP-BC, joined Brooks in the fall of 2021 as the Director of Health and Wellness. She is also an assistant coach for the Brooks boys and girls cross country teams. She is a 2002 graduate of Phillips Academy Andover and 2006 graduate with distinction from Yale University, where she was awarded the Lily Rosen Prize in Women’s Health for her senior thesis on the Female Athlete Triad, now known as RED-S syndrome. In 2010, Donais obtained her master’s degree in nursing at Boston College. For eleven years, she worked as a primary care family nurse practitioner at North Reading Medical Associates, affiliated with Winchester Hospital. An accomplished runner, she competed in cross country and track in high school and college, and continues to enjoy competing in local and regional events. Donais lives in North Andover, Mass., with her husband Nate, two young children Brennan and Audrey, and her brittany spaniel Uta.

Juli Morse

Health Services Supervisor

Juli directs all aspects of the health center’s operation in accordance with state and local regulations and collaborates with our Health Care Consultant. She comes to Brooks with over ten years of experience in healthcare administration. After graduating from Providence College in 2011, she worked in the field before returning to school to pursue a degree in Nursing. She is now a medical-surgical RN at a local community hospital and Brooks School. At camp, Juli focuses on creating a welcoming environment that prioritizes wellness and safety. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her husband, two kids, and golden retriever, with a special love for swimming, playing tennis, and camping.

Core Programs