At Mission Bay Aquatic Center (MBAC), counselors-in-training — that is, students who help counselors and campers alike during summer camps — are referred to as CITs. But this year, that acronym could also stand for caretakers-in-training, as the 80 young adults in the program are participating in afternoon beach cleanups four days a week. “It’s important to keep the beaches clean because people are going to hang out there and we don’t want them to get sick or get infections if they get cut,” said counselor-in-training Eli Graham. “I want the generations after us to be able to hang out in the bay and not be scared.” Project CIT, the regular beach cleanups at Santa Clara Point, started at the beginning of July and will continue through the end of August. MBAC is working alongside San Diego Coastkeeper, making the efforts of the prospective counselors both educational and scientifically significant. “They gave us beach cleanup kits and each day we weigh how much trash we’ve collected,” said MBAC volunteer Tara Kelly. “They’re going to be using that data for some of the research they’re doing. It’s cool to be part of that program as well.” After helping morning campers, 10 of the trainees rotate each day through the beach cleanups. Among the lighter aspects of the work is the “Found Items Board,” where odd trash — including tires and rusty nails — is immortalized in writing on a board at MBAC. “Every day it’s a new group of kids,” said MBAC programs manager Kevin Waldick. “Some kids do it multiple times a week but for the most part it’s a new group of kids every day.” When not picking up trash, the counselors-in-training assist watersports camp counselors in a variety of ways. They also serve as safety observers in wakeboarding boats and give afternoon sailing rides to kids. “It’s teaching you how to become a leader in your everyday life,” Trubitt said. “It really gives you something that I don’t think kids have a lot these days — hard work and not messing around.” For MBAC, the cleanups keep their young volunteers busy and keep consistent with other environmentally-friendly actions. MBAC’s facility is completely solar-powered and MBAC promotes recycling. “We were looking for ways to better serve our community,” Waldick said. “It just made sense that we could get these guys working to better the community and have a sense of accomplishment through keeping the beach clean and the water clean.” Mission Bay Aquatic Center is located at 1001 Santa Clara Place in Mission Beach. For more information, visit www.mbaquaticcenter.com.
