Being a Counselor

As a leader, role model, and hero to campers typically aged 7 - 16, your primary responsibility is overall supervision. You are to ensure campers’ well-being and to make their camp experience as fun and rewarding as possible. As a Counselor, you will be with campers 24 hours a day.

Accommodation

Most counselors will be living in a cabin or platform tent with a co-counselor and 8 to 10 campers of a similar age. Some cabins have their own bathrooms, but often several cabins will share a large centralized bath and shower facility. 

Food

Staff and campers eat in what is normally called the Dining Hall. In most cases, you will eat with your campers and co-counselors.  The dining hall is a fun and lively part of camp, with lots of talking, chants, and singing.

Work Hours and Responsibilities

Though camp is definitely a lot of fun, it is not a holiday for staff. Except for your time off, you will spend 24 hours a day with an active group of children. Total working hours may be more than a typical day’s work at most other jobs. You must adapt to the lack of privacy and the basic level of accommodation. You will be expected to follow strict camp rules for campers and staff. These generally include:  no smoking, no drinking of alcoholic beverages on camp, no coming back to camp intoxicated, a strict schedule and a nightly curfew. All in all, the joy of summer camp more than offsets the hard work. Nevertheless, a cheerful, hardworking attitude is a must!

During the day:

You will be hired as either an Activity Counselor or an All-round/General Counselor. In either role, you will lead or assist campers of all ages in one or more activities.

• Activity Counselor
  You will teach a specific skill or work in a specific Activity Area (such as Land Sports, Waterfront, Outdoor Adventure, Performing Arts, or Arts & Crafts). This will be based on your application’s description of your skill level, experience and certifications.

• All-round/General Counselor (limited positions available)
  If you have good general knowledge and experience in a variety of skills or activity areas, a camp may hire you as an All-round/General Counselor. If you do not excel in any particular activity, you will need to list as many skills for which you have experience on your application form (we recommend at least 12 - 15).

During the Evening:

As a counselor, you will be responsible for running and assisting with Evening Programs. This might be with just your cabin, a group of cabins, or the entire camp.

You do not need to be an Olympic athlete!
The good news is that in most cases, the skills and knowledge you have obtained through a hobby, by playing on local teams, in a club with friends, or at university will be enough experience to teach or assist.  All of your skills should be included in your application. Remember that you need to be willing to help wherever you are needed. 

Additional Training - Improve your chances of getting that camp job!
By gaining more experience in any of the skills listed below, or by enrolling in a refresher course in your home country, you increase your chances of being hired. In addition, make certain your certifications are kept current through the end of next summer. 

Activity Counselors Skills