Role of a Counselor

As a leader, role model, friend, instructor, big brother or sister, cheerleader and hero to campers varying in ages, your primary responsibility is overall supervision. You’re there to ensure their well-being and safety, and make their camp experience more fun and rewarding.

Accommodation

Most counselors will be living in a cabin or platform tent with a co-counselor and 8 to 12 campers of similar age. Sometimes cabins have their own bathroom, but it is also common for several cabins to share a large centralised bath and shower facility. 

Food

Staff and campers eat in what is normally called the Dining Hall. Depending on your camp, you get your food from a “buffet” or it is served “family style” (in which platters of food are brought to your table). In most cases you will eat with your campers and co-counselors.  The dining hall is a fun and lively part of camp, often with lots of talking, chants and singing.

During the day

You will fill the role of an Activity or an All-Round/General Counselor depending on your skill level, ability, experience and certification. In either role, you will lead or assist campers of all ages in one or more activities. Your willingness to try everything and anything will be a great asset.

Working Hours and Time Off

Participants are expected to work a minimum of eight to ten weeks. During this time, you should receive approximately 24 hours a week off, of which 12 hours should be consecutive during daylight hours. If a camp's time off policy differs, it  will be explained in your camp contract for your approval.

You do not need to be an Olympic athlete!

The skills and knowledge you already have doing activities in a team, through your school / university or socially with friends are enough to teach at camp. It is sometimes more about the experience of being at camp for the campers than the specific skill being taught.

Additional training

Why not improve your skills by enrolling in a refresher course in your home country so you will be able to use these skills and your knowledge to a better degree at camp. Are you a strong swimmer? Then why not consider signing up for a Lifeguard or swim instructor’s course. There are Crisis Intervention certificates you can earn that offer valuable experience at many camps. Many camps may offer certification in a number of skills, consider taking them to further advance yourself professionally.

Activity Counselors Skills

All-Around/General Counselor Skills

If you have skills or prior experience in a number of the categories above or a willingness to learn or gain these skills prior to camp, then a camp may choose to place you in this position.