Summer Camp Infomation

Age / Eligibility

To get a summer camp job you usually have to be 18 years of age. Working at summer camp is popular with students. During the summer break from college or university you can spend up to nine weeks working before the next term starts.

Summer camp jobs for 16 year olds are usually hard to find. Usually when you are aged 16 or 17 you need to take part in a 'leader in training' or 'counselor in training' camp leader program where camps teach you the skills you will use if you apply for a job at camp. Camp leaders programs are a great stepping stone and fun way to intergrate from being a camper to counsellor.

Many summer camps in the USA hire staff from abroad, if you live outside of North America you will need a J1 working visa. The easiest way to apply is through an international sending agency like Camp America, BUNAC or InterExchange. Thousands of international students on Camp America summer exchange programs work at camp ever summer with the help of these companies who organise your visa, induction training, paperwork, travel arrangements and even find you a summer camp job.

Types of camp

There are a wide variety of summer camps in North America including:

Private / Independent Camps

These camps are usually owned by an individual or family. Children usually come from more affluent backgrounds so don't be suprised to find a famous movie star or sports star dropping their children off by helicopter.

Agency Camps

Usually owned by organisations such as the YMCA. They have a real sense of community and spirit.

Religious Camps

Predominantly Christian and Jewish camps, the religious values are the main theme and some of these requite staff to hold a strong religious background.

Girl Scout Camps

This camps are available for girl scouts and staff are almost always female.

Day Camps

Children travel to camp on a daily basis and do not stay over night.

Special Needs and Learning Difficulties Camps: These types of camps are the same as other camps but cater for children with mental or physical disabilities.

Types of Jobs

Camp Counselors

Working in the position of a camp counsellor you have to be an excellent role model who puts the needs of the campers first. You will be responsible for a group of children leading them through daily acitivites and sleeping in a cabin with them.

Specialist Counselor / Activity Leader

You will be asked to instruct a skilled activity for example archery. Your main role will be to run or assist in running your activity during the day.

Office staff

Help out in the camp office, roles can involve receptionist duties, answering the phone, dealing with questions and queries whilst organising events.

Kitchen staff

Kitchen staff roles includes cooks, an assistant cooks, food preparation staff, dish washers and food deliverance.

Maintenance staff

Work behind the scenes, repairing cabins, taking part in general maintenance which help to keep camps running smoothly during summer

All camps are different and offer a wide range of activities, theme days, camp fires - camps offer something for everyone attending.

Christian summer camp jobs are popular with people on religious work placements. There are also hundreds of Jewish camps throughout North America. You should enquire whether a job at camp requires that you come from a religious background.

There is the opportunity to work summer day camp jobs where you could spend the day time instructing summer camp actvities, but then you will stay offsite or the kids will leave at night.

When looking for camp job vacancies, if you have a specalist skill like art, music or drama you will have a better chance of being hired to work at camp. By having a specialist skill summer camps needs your summer employment chances will be greatly improved, you could work at music summer camps or just general camps instructing your specialist skill.

It is difficult to say what the best summer camps are, it really depends on how you intergrate into the summer camp environment and get along with fellow staff members and campers. You could get a job at a rustic camp with basic facilities and sleep in tents, but you could have the most fun time! Some camps are seperated into a girls summer camp and boys summer camp. Usually both the male and female campers will meet for night activities like camp dances.

A lot of summer camps also offer the chance to volunteer at camp, usually you will be provided with free board, lodging and food in return for work.

When you have been part of a team of camp leaders, it will look great on your resume / cv to potential future employers. Working at a summer camp isn't really about how much money you get paid, its being part of the great American camp tradition and having a positive influence on the your campers and fellow staff. To become a good camp leader you will need to be a good listener, be able to adapt to new surrounds and be open to a complete new experience.

Summer work and travel - A lot of people who work at camps get the opportunity travel during and after camp has finished. A lot of summer camps usually provide day and weekend trips to cities and local attraction. When camp finishes there are usually people looking to explore the USA.

Worldwide Summer Camp Jobs

You can find international summer camp counselor jobs in the UK, Europe, Australia, China and worldwide. Here is a brief look at the summer camp work opportunities available:

• Summer camp jobs UK - A wide range of outdoor adventure jobs are open during summer and school holidays.
• Summer camp jobs Australia - Most camps are located on the East Coast and offer employment during the summer.
• Summer camp jobs France - Seasonal resorts like euro / key camp offer a range of summer camp jobs.
• Summer camp jobs Spain - At summer holiday camp jobs in Spain you can lead English and sport activities.
• Summer camp jobs Italy - Instruct sport, dance, arts and crafts activities to help improve childrens English.
• Camp California Croatia - Summer programs are English based with English-speaking counselors from over 20 different countries.
• Summer camp jobs China - Work at summer schools in large Chinese cities, roles can include teaching and leading sports activities.

Summer camps in Europe accept job applications from people based in the USA and Canada, please contact a company direct for specific recruitment information.

International summer camps are very different to USA summer camps though. Summer camp jobs in the UK can range from working at day camps, travelling around the country to attend school summer school events, working at activity centres and winter ski / snowboard camp work.

International staff

You will need to apply through a sending company such as BUNAC, Camp America or InterExchange who will arrange all neccesary visa's for you to work in North America.

Staff Tips for a Great Summer

• Be open to meeting new people & don't judge people on first impressions
• Be fun to be around
• Realize and learn to deal with the long work hours
• Take care of your health and fitness
• Eat healthy food to provide energy for the busy / long days
• Enjoy every moment of working at camp, the highs and the lows
• Remember that the children are there to have fun, provide a safe environment where they respect you and follow the camp rules
• For information on how to become a successful camp counsellor why not chat to past staff on our summer camp forum.

Dealing with badly behaved campers

Physical and mental abuse is strictly not tolerated at summer camp. If you have any problem campers who are interrupting your activity or being a nuisance, then make them understand what they are doing is wrong. Also you can make them do little forfeits, for example make campers do a funny dance or clean the cabin. Your camp will provide training for these situations.

Dealing with homesickness

Homesickness is a type of anxiety that children sometimes experience when they're away from home. It's extremely common. There are several ways to deal with homesickness:

1. Remember that homesickness is a temporary feeling for most campers. Give campers time to adjust to their new surroundings.
2. Keep them busy, get them involved with other campers and activities
3. Get them to call or write home
4. Talk out their feelings, just getting feelings off your chest can provide a new perspective and sense of relief.

Past Counselor Feedback

"I instructed archery at summer camp, it was fantastic, sign up for camp NOW, you don't know what your missing out on!"
Brian, USA

"I'm a ranch director, working with 40 horses and 8 members of staff I love it."
Vicky, USA

"The summer went like lightning, every day was better than the last and the progress the kids made was amazing.You make friends for life at camp!."
Richard, UK

"This will be my 4th summer...If you are thinking about doing it, go for it, its so much different to anything else in the world, waterskiing all summer and then travelling afterwards isn't a bad way to spend the summer!"
Chris, Australia

"2009 was my first summer but I have made some life long friends...you get along so well with all the other counsellors, because you're all there for the same reason and you are all the same kind of person; up for a laugh, work well as a team, are responsible and positive!"
Martin, Canada

"I just wanted to dispel any doubts that first timers may have about doing camp, and tell you it's an immense experience. I can speak for my camp because facilities were incredible, there's a beautiful lake, amazing sports facilities but as if that weren't enough! There are also many brilliant people, both International and American and it's so easy to have a good summer!"
Kenny, USA

"I applied with Camp America and I've had a really good experience. I applied really late but I had my interview straight away, and they found me a camp a few weeks later. I was actually really surprised how quickly they found a camp for me as I have limited experience with children and I can't start camp until June 21st due to exams - a lot of camp start weeks before this."
Cheryl, England

"The absolute essentials A good flashlight - I'd recommend a maglite. Very strong mosquito repellent. I took something ridiculous like 90% deet. It's for use in the jungle but did the trick. You can find the good stuff in any good camping store - just not generally in boots. Head and Shoulders menthol shampoo - it keeps the bugs at bay - anything else the bugs will love it! Strong factor sun cream. "
Caroline, USA

"When I arrived at camp, I had one week before i could leave camp to buy things, so take the essentials. leave some room in your case, so you can buy loads of clothes and bring them back. Try and fit two weeks worth of clothes in your case ( you can buy some when your there) as you go through that in about 1 week, and usually there isnt a washing machine on camp, we could only wash our clothes on a weekend at the local town 3 miles away."
Vicky, England

"Approach the kids like an older cousin, allow them to be your friends, but let them know that you are in charge. ALWAYS listen to them. Give each one equal attention, but let them have personal space when they want. Crying is acceptable, but try not to reason with an overly emotional kid (I find telling them that I can't help their cause whilst they are crying and not listening to me)"
Sally, Norway

"Summer Camp has been going on for years, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE IT. Your co-workers have skills, share yours with them and they will return the favour. Head Counsellors know the kids and the camp, don't be afraid to ask for help as this is what they are there for."
Ben, Canada

"Try not to lose your patience, be as enthusiastic as possible, realize that a huge part of being a counselor is being a disciplinarian--do NOT be a pushover but dont be a drill sergeant either, try to hang out with the kids on your free time as well--it can be hard, usually you just want to be around other counselors/adults after spending so much time with kids, but during free time is when the kids really get to know you and you get to know and understand them, which makes everyone happier"
Sarah, USA

"The best decision you'll ever make. Camp was totally different to what I could ever imagine, it's the best summer you'll ever have! Explore the real America and make life long friendships with people all over the world. Amazing is an uderstatement."
Matty, UK

Contact

If you have any questions about working at camp please contact:

Paul Edwards

E-mail: paul@summercampjobs365.com