General Summer Camp Jobs Information

If you enjoy working in an outdoor environment, like to participate in sports, have an ability to work with children and adults, and are motivated by working in a fun environment then working at a summer camp could be the ideal job for you.

There are a diverse range of jobs at summer camps, jobs can include being a camp counsellor, sports instructor, camp leader, camp kitchen staff, camp cook, camp chef, camp maintenance staff, camp nurse, camp lifeguards or you could even work in the camp office as a member of the camp admin staff.

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.

A lot of 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:
- BUNAC
- Inter Exchange
- Camp Leaders
- Camp America

Or if you are applying from New Zealand:
International Exchange Programs (IEP) www.iep.org.nz.
Camp America NZ Camp America New Zealand

Thousands of international students on 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 in the USA.

Canada Summer Camp Jobs
You could also apply for a 2012 summer camp job in Canada with
- Real Gap.

Types of Summer Camp Jobs

There are several jobs available at summer camp including:

General Counsellor Jobs

To be a summer camp counsellor you will have to be an excellent role model who puts the needs of the campers first. You will be responsible for a group of children and will guide them through daily activities including sleeping in the same cabin or building as them, eating with them and take them to different activities where the specialist counsellors will take over.

During activity time you will participate and assist in the various parts of the program that require your help. You will look after the campers general well being, offer advice and guidance where appropriate and be a positive role model.

Specialist Counselor / Activity Leader Summer Camp Jobs

You will have been chosen as a specialist counsellor because the skills that you put down on your application form are used as a program at your camp. You may be asked to teach any one of the skills that were put on your form so it helps if you can be adaptable.

Your main role will be to run or assist in running your activity during the day. Outside activity time you will help the general counsellors look after the campers in the cabins although it is unlikely that you will be assigned a specific group of campers to look after.

Summer Camp Support Staff Positions:

Summer Camp Kitchen Staff

Kitchen staff are usually assigned a specific job in the kitchen. For example you could be a cook, an assistant cook, food preparation, dish washer or food deliverance. Different camps have different roles for kitchen staff, but usually the role allows you to have a lot of free time in-between meals. BUNAC offer a specific KAMP job placement.

Summer Camp Office Worker Jobs

This role involves working inside the summer camp office. You could have a variety of responsibilities such as using the computer to write letters, answering the telephones and organising events.

Could You Apply To Work At Camp?

Most summer camp agencies, recruiters & camps only hire people who are 18 years of age by June 1st. People of all ages from all over the world go and work at summer camps every summer, most counselors ages vary from 18-30, but you are never too old. At a lot of summer camps in the United States there are over one hundred International staff from a diverse range of ages and backgrounds. A large percentage of International staff return to camp, some even return for several years.

Types of Summer Camps

You could find yourself enjoying the time of your life at any of them. You get the opportunity to choose which type of camp you would like to go to, options include:

· Private / Independent Camps
· Agency Camps
· Religious Camps
· Girl Scout Camps
· Special Needs and Learning Difficulties Camps

Private / Independent Camps: These camps are usually owned by an individual or family. They tend to attract children from more wealthy backgrounds. Don't be surprised 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 belief.

Girl Scout Camps: This camps are available for all 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.

Summer Camp Activities / Summer Camp Job Positions

Summer camp activities are different depending on what type of camp you work at, if you want to apply for summer camp counsellor jobs in 2012 you could be instructing the following activities at camp:

- Water activities - sailing, water skiing, swimming, canoeing, bay studies, windsurfing & fly fishing. Please note lands sports summer camp jobs are very popular, please apply early!

- Land activities - archery, nature, outdoor living skills, football, photography, mountain biking, arts and crafts, cooking, dance and drama, fitness, lacrosse, basketball, tennis, athletics, newspaper, jewellery, ropes and adventure course & horseback riding. Please note water sports summer camp jobs are very popular, please apply early!

Summer Camp Jobs FAQ

How old do I have to be to work at a summer camp in the USA?
You must be at least 18 years of age by June 1st in the year in which you wish to travel.

What time period do summer camps run?
Usually 9 weeks.

Useful Links

Independent Summer Camp Guide: www.summercampworldwide.com
Summer Camp Forum: www.summercampjobs365.com/chat
Summer Camp Facebook Fanpage: www.facebook.com/summercamp365.