Campers accomplish these goals by participating in camp activities and being actively involved in camp life. An important part of the CIC experience for every camper is belonging to a cabin group. Cabin groups are the focus of activities, special events and camp life. The cabin group is where campers make friends, help others, share experiences and cooperate in activities. A cabin counselor and an activity instructor lead and live with each cabin group. Younger camper cabins may also have a Counselor-in-Training as part of the cabin staff. The staff guide and create the camp experience for up to ten campers. Spirit and camaraderie are high as new friendships are made and each part of the day brings new challenges and opportunities for fun and growth. Catalina Island Boys Camp was founded in 1922 by University of Southern California football coach, Gus Henderson, on the former sheep ranch of the Howlands Family. For years, boys came each summer for eight weeks. Catalina Island Girls Camp was a separate camp at another location on the island until the 1970s when the two camps merged to become Catalina Island Camps. Today boys and girls come from the greater Los Angeles area, California, Arizona, Nevada and across the United States, Mexico and other countries for fun and friend-filled summers.
