What if there was a magical place where you could get paid to play and channel your inner child?
There’s an opportunity to break free from the world of dull day jobs and their seemingly endless and repetitive little tasks.
The grass is greener on the other side, which you’ll see for yourself!
Get ready to enter your new home away from home as a camp counselor.
Camp Counselor Job Information
| Official Job Title | Summer Camp Counselor |
| Average Salary | $12.32 Hourly / $25,617 Yearly |
| Stress Level | Average |
| Work / Life | High |
| Job Satisfaction | High |
| Career Advancement | Average |
Camp Counselor Job Description
What is a Summer Camp Counselor?
As a camp counselor, your role would be to lead and supervise children in both recreational and educational activities within a residential area.
Their adventures vary between indoor and outdoor sports, fine arts-related projects, and other specialty programs.
Some summer camps offer overnight or day-camp experiences.
Typically, your camper’s ages will range between 7 and 17 years old.
Your job is to guide, entertain, and watch over your assigned campers during their stay.
Responsibilities, Duties, & Roles of a Camp Counselor?
Responsibilities may include providing children with emotional support in things like newly introduced skill sets, disputes with other campers, potential separation anxiety from their guardian(s) and or home, etc.
Therefore, your willingness and ability to foster creativity and promote positivity are encouraged!
Your main objective would be to enforce proper safety protocol.
Doing so ensures every camp participant’s safety and well-being.
To stay organized, campers have a daily schedule.
It is your duty to follow this timetable accordingly.
You are also in charge of keeping up with daily attendance logs, your children’s dietary restrictions, allergies, or any other special arrangements.
Additionally, all emergency procedures will have to be remembered and performed at a moment’s notice.
What is a Summer Camp Counselor’s Daily Routine?
Your daily routine as a camp counselor would include getting all of your assigned campers up and active to inspire and excite them for their fun day ahead!
You are in charge of bringing your camp-mates to and from the dining hall for mealtimes.
Maybe, take this opportunity to team-build and bond with your new campers!
Throughout the day, you will be accompanying your children to all their different activities to provide moral support and entertainment.
You are also asked to participate in these games and other events.
In the evening, your campers should be settled safely and comfortably in their beds, in preparation, for the next day’s events!
Summer Camp Counselor Salary
Average Salary
A camp counselor’s hourly pay in the United States is, on average, around $12.32.
This is equivalent to $25,617 yearly.
Starting Salary
Starting level pay in the summer camp counseling industry is about $24,000 a year, meaning hourly pay is around $12.00.
Senior Salary
Senior-level pay is roughly $28,880 per year or about $14.44 per hour.
However, depending on the state, yearly pay may differ.
Northern states like New York, NY, and Boston, MA, offer the most in terms of summer camp counselors’ salaries.
If you have a counseling license or any prior experience, such as a camp director or a camp nurse, pay may be greater.
How To Become A Summer Camp Counselor
The Entry Level: Certification, Training & Degree,arts-related
It is encouraged but not required to have certifications in both lifeguarding and CPR.
Training in first aid is also ideal.
It is also preferred that you have had exposure to some sort of childcare in the past.
However, if you do not have experience or these certifications, then you will be trained on-site.
If you have a social work or education degree then that will give you a leg up in the hiring process.
Other Skill Sets, Requirements & Qualifications
Typically, to apply as a Summer camp counselor, you must be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma.
Prior child and or special education expertise is preferred.
However, you would still qualify if you exhibited the personality traits and characteristics discussed previously in this article.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Summer Camp Counselor?
If you have not experienced the world of child care then the training process may go from anywhere between two weeks or well into the program itself.
This is dependent on your knowledge coming into the field.
You may be a camp counselor’s assistant or aide before you are promoted to Summer Camp Counselor yourself.
Is It Hard To Become A Summer Camp Counselor?
It is not particularly hard to become a summer camp counselor as long as you have a good personality and appropriate leadership skills.
Of course, you must also be 18 years or older and have graduated high school.
Possessing specific certifications or specializations in things like special education, child development, and social work does increase the likelihood of getting this position.
Summer Camp Counselor Career Path
The Camp Counselor Roadmap
Your familiarity with childcare before applying is what will determine your entry-level position and paycheck.
If you have no related experience then you will most likely start off as an aide or assistant to other camp counselors.
Within weeks or even months, you will then be promoted to camp counselor yourself.
On the other hand, if you have your desired certifications and skills, then your starting pay and position may be higher.
Pay increases are based on performance, so if you are doing what’s asked of you, then your responsibilities may expand, but so will your paycheck.
Projections For Growth In Summer Camp Counseling Jobs
The more experience and time that you have with the company, the higher likelihood that you will get both promoted and a pay increase.
You do have the opportunity to advance in this career, possibly as a camp director, recreational leader, camp advisor, camp counselor supervisor, etc.
The list goes on!
In Summary: Is Summer Camp Counseling A Good Career?
Your days as a camp counselor will be very rewarding!
Every day is filled with games and endless excitement!
Your position will never become boring and repetitive because there’s a constant revolving door of new campers, events, and specialty programs.
Job advancement is easier if you love your job, and with that comes higher wages.
So as long as you enjoy your position then this type of career will be very fulfilling for you financially and emotionally.
Working Conditions
Can A Summer Camp Counselor Work Remotely From Home?
Work takes place at a residential campsite, so unfortunately, no, your attendance is required physically on-site.
However, some camps do have their camp counselors live at the camp during the summer months.
So you can take pieces of your home with you!
How Many Hours Does A Summer Camp Counselor Work?
Most camp counselors work 40+ hours a week, including weekends and evenings.
Typically, doing so five days a week.
Can A Summer Camp Counselor Work Part-Time?
It is possible to work part-time as a camp counselor, depending on the camp.
What Are The Average Vacation Days Of A Summer Camp Counselor?
Vacation time is usually only offered to full-time counselors.
Vacation day policies do vary from camp to camp.
However, normally a full week’s vacation is only accepted after a year of working for the agency.
Additional days beyond a week are usually only accepted if you have worked for two years or more.
Part-time employees are permitted to request days off up to their employer’s discretion.
Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to a Camp Counselor
- Mental Health Counselor
- School Counselor
- Financial Counselor
- Cardiovascular Technologist
- Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Merchandise Associate
- Personal Assistant
- Administrative Assistant
Summer Camp Counselor Resume Tips
Your potential employer is looking for someone with prior experience in fields similar to the Summer camp counseling industry.
So, if you have already achieved certain skill sets from a similar line of work, then that knowledge will help propel you into their good graces.
The more you know, the less they have to teach, and time is money.
For that reason, having a previous understanding of child development is helpful.
Jobs like babysitting, tutoring, or even lifeguarding look extremely good on a resume.
It shows that you know how to teach, practice patience, and have a call to action!
Summer Camp Counselor Interview Questions
Q1: “Describe a time when you had to play a leadership role.”
Why it works: As a Summer camp counselor, you are expected to lead your assigned group in a safe and efficient manner.
If you are unable to do that then you are a liability to the company.
Q2: “Why do you want this job?”
Why it works: Employers want to see that you are passionate about your work and that you will genuinely enjoy your job and the company of your campers.
Q3: “What characteristics do you have that will qualify you as a good summer camp counselor?”
Why it works: As a summer camp counselor, you will be expected to exhibit a positive and productive attitude.
They want to see if you are capable of fitting that role and fulfilling their needs and your responsibilities.
Q4: “Talk about a time that you have had to resolve a conflict.”
Why it works: Not every one of your campers is going to get along, and the same can be said about your new coworkers.
Employers want to ensure that you are able to deal with confrontation effectively.
Jobs Related To Summer Camp Counseling
- Head of Camp Counselor
- Summer Camp Nurse
- Summer Camp Director
- Summer Camp Licensed Counselor
- Before & After School Camp Counselor
- Work-Study Camp Counselor
- Day Camp Counselor
- Live-In Camp Counselor
For HR Managers: Tips For Hiring A Summer Camp Counselor
Key Characteristics To Look For In A Summer Camp Counselor
You are looking for candidates who display the following traits
- Good communication
- Problem-solving skills
- Kindness
- Patience
- Self-control
- Alertness
- Resilience
- Ability to multitask
- Organization
- High energy level
You want to hire someone you trust to take care of the camp and its participants when you are unable to.
Minimum Level Of Education & Experience
It is important that your staff are physically able to follow proper safety protocol.
You want to be confident in their ability to take immediate and appropriate action if the opportunity presents itself.
Therefore, look for applicants who have prior knowledge of childcare.
CPR and lifeguard certifications are something you’d like to see on an application.