How to Become a Summer Camp Counselor
When you become a summer camp counselor, you are responsible for ensuring kids are safe, having fun and engaged in interesting recreational and educational activities. Summer camps usually last anywhere from several days to eight weeks, but camp counselors sometimes stay at the camp all summer to help prepare for new campers. A counselor job can be trying at times, but it can also be a ton of fun and lead to lifelong friendships.
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Instructions
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Check out websites that are specifically dedicated to camp counselor jobs, such as Camp Resource.com, CoolWorks.com and SummerCampStaff.com (see Resources below). You can search these sites by location and type of camp. Be sure to follow the links to the camps' individual websites so you can read up on them before you apply.
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Look into jobs at day camps if you don't want to spend the summer away from home. The YMCA, for instance, has over 2,000 day camps all over the country in addition to its more than 250 sleep-away camps. Visit the YMCA website to investigate opportunities (see Resources below).
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Try to locate a camp that's a good match for your personal interests. Beyond the traditional kinds of summer camps, there are all sorts of specialized kids' camps today, from basketball camps to weight-loss camps, art camps to science camps, dance camps to theater camps, math camps to foreign-language camps. A job at these kinds of specialized camps can enhance your future resume, showing your enduring interest in your field.
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Prepare a detailed resume summarizing your educational background and your work history, if any. Highlight any prior experience you've had working with kids, including babysitting, tutoring or volunteer work at your church or community center. List any awards or honors you've won from your school or other organization.
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Be sure to send in your resume by the deadline indicated in the job posting. If you don't hear back from the camp by the specified response date, call or email the staff office to ask about the status of your application.
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Ace the interview by demonstrating an enthusiastic yet mature personality. Great camp counselors have lots of energy and creativity, but must be responsible enough to help kids resolve disputes and react quickly and smartly in case of an emergency.
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Tips & Warnings
Become a counselor at a camp where you can use your talents and strengths. For example, if you are good at playing basketball, then you should look for a sports camp.
The minimum age requirement for many camp counselor jobs is 16. If you do not meet the minimum age requirement to become a summer camp counselor, you might have the opportunity to apply for the counselor-in-training program if you are at least 14 years of age (15 years of age for some camps).
Some camps require the counselors to live on-site, but they normally provide free room and board to you.
