What does a Camp Counselor do?
Camp counselors plan, organize, implement, and lead age-appropriate activities for children. Activities generally include arts and crafts, sports, nature, songs, and an element of education. Aside from leading children through activities, camp counselors are also responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of campers. Camp counselors usually have a knack for creating an accepting, positive, and wholesome environment.
Camp counselors must have a high school diploma or general education degree (GED). In addition, most camp counselors must be CPR and AED certified, have completed some first aid training, and can pass a background check. Most people working as camp counselors do so seasonally, usually during the summer. The best camp counselors have a passion for working with children, strong communication skills, and are able to multi-task.
- Ensure a group of assigned campers is supervised and safe
- Utilize appropriate behavior management techniques
- Prepare and lead a variety of activities that are age-appropriate
- Model good behavior for campers as it relates to sportsmanship, manners, and respectfulness
- Identify teachable moments and capitalize on them
- Perform all responsibilities in a manner that guarantees the safety of campers
- Facilitate and encourage participation in camp activities
- Interact with parents in a professional and polite manner
- High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required
- 1 year of experience supervising and working with children, preferably as a camp counselor or teacher
- Certification in CPR and AED
- First aid skills and training
- Ability to pass a background check
- General mobility including, but not limited, to walking, kneeling, and standing
- Proven ability to maintain a safe environment for others in adherence with provided protocol and standards
- Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and lead activities for large groups of children
- Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
Camp Counselor Salaries
Average Base Pay
Camp Counselor Career Path
Learn how to become a Camp Counselor, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Camp Counselor Insights
City of Oviedo, FL“Might be good for someone who had another job and needed a part time schedule maybe.”
Greater Philadelphia YMCA“It was a fun and welcoming environment and I got to help a lot of kids.”
Geneva Park District“I met some great people through this job and have enjoyed every summer working here.”
Deerkill Day Camp“Pay is good for camp but not same as retail; can be tiring at times.”
Decathlon“You will enjoy the work but at last you will know that your work life balance is going worse.”
Wilmette Park District“the pay was not very good when I worked and I applied again the next year but never got a response.”
Peoria Park District“it was pretty fun and it was great meeting new people”
Adventure Day Camp (California)“Pretty good pay and fun”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Camp Counselor
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