Want to Be A Summer Camp

Counselor?

HERE’S HOW:

If you love working with kids, have a positive attitude and you love the outdoors, crafts and games; being a summer day camp counselor may be the perfect job for you.

Flexibility is a big plus in this type of job, as you never know what the day will throw at you, and you’ll need an upbeat, can-do attitude.

Whether you’re supervising lakeside activities, wearing a wacky outfit and doing the chicken dance or mediating a squabble between campers, you’ll need to bring on your best game.

Here are a few tips for getting the summer job of your dreams.

What Do Camp Counselors Do?

Typically, counselors are hired to act as recreational leaders supervising overall camp operations or teaching various special activities.

Swimming, archery, horseback riding, crafts and nature education are just a few of the myriad fun-filled outdoor activities you’ll enjoy right along with the kids at day camp.

You’ll need plenty of patience, creativity, leadership skills and above all, a sense of humor.

Apply Early!

This is extremely important as camps often start looking for staff in the winter months. If you’re a bit late, don’t worry; many programs still have openings in May and June.

Have good references on hand and note that some sites will ask you to make a YouTube video to accompany your application.

Looking Locally

If you’re looking for a job near where you live, contact local day camps, YMCAs, town recreation departments and other youth organizations to see if they’re looking for summer camp staff.

You may know other people who work there, and be able to use these connections, who may offer to refer you.

Look Online

There are a variety of websites listing summer camp jobs including Camp Channel, Camp Depot and Camp Page.

Cool Works, a summer job site, also has some interesting opportunities.

Are There Educational Requirements?

While there are not specific educational requirements for summer camp counselors, it helps to have CPR and First Aid certification and it may even give you an edge over other applicants.

Be Creative With Previous Work Experience

OK, maybe you haven’t been a camp counselor, but maybe you have been a camper.

On your application, emphasize your summer camp experiences and how you want to carry the fun forward by becoming a counselor yourself.

If you’ve spent a summer or two at a camp as a counselor-in-training, you have actual on-the-job experience dealing with campers from a counselor role.

Use Your Camp Connections

Many counselors were once campers at the very same camp to which they’re applying.

Naturally, this would give you a leg up in the hiring process because you already know the camp culture, traditions and songs, and best of all; you have a real and infectious love of the camp itself.

Get Experience Working With Kids

Though you may not have specifically worked at a summer camp, you can accumulate other experience working with youngsters.

Tutoring younger kids, volunteering at afterschool programs, assistant coaching on kids’ teams and babysitting are all invaluable experience with children.

Ask guidance counselors, coaches or teachers for suggestions.

Emphasize Your Positives

Even if you’ve never set foot in a summer camp, your personal characteristics may position you nicely for a job.

Approachability, empathy, leadership ability, creativity and enthusiasm are traits that directors are looking for in their staff… and a little goofiness doesn’t hurt!

If you’re responsible, caring and have the ability to put others before yourself, you’ll be a good candidate.

Do You Have A Special Talent?

If you have a particular talent or area of expertise that fits in with the camp’s programs, be sure to highlight this on your resume.

Camps that emphasize the arts, for example, may be thrilled with your expertise on the violin or experience with musical theater production ...

... while wilderness camps may zone right in on the fact that you spend years in Boy Scouts or spent summers camping with your family.

Any certifications in camp-related areas are also important.

So, get working on that resume!

Remember to emphasize the positive, list all related experience volunteer or paid and put your enthusiasm and love of kids’ front and center.

Let your kids enjoy the experience of summer day camp at Maplewood Summer Day Camp.

Experienced staff will keep your child both safe and busy with arts and crafts, games, water sports, gymnastics and more.

Visit the site at http://www.maplewoodyearround.com

MAPLEWOOD COUNTRY DAY CAMP AND ENRICHMENT CENTER

150 Foundry St. (Route 106)PO Box 88 (Mailing)

South Easton, MA 02375Email: info@maplewoodyearround.com

Telephone: (508) 238-2387FAX: (508) 238-1154