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Summer Camp Job Descriptions
Now's the time to start thinking about summer jobs, and summer camps are a great place to start the search! Every summer, thousands of camps across the United States need tens of thousands of people to develop programs, manage kitchens, counsel campers, oversee activities and much more. Here's just a short list of some of the things you could do.
Camp Director
Responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a summer camp, the Camp Director is also responsible for creating the program and camp environment, and managing the rest of the team. Most camps will only consider applicants for this position who have previous camp experience and have exhibited strong leadership skills.
Other responsibilities include training, supervision and evaluation of other staff; organization of camp activities; interacting with parents and guardians of campers; conflict resolution; and more. Depending on the camp, this person could also be responsible for the hiring and firing of staff.
Camp Instructor
Camp Instructor is a position that's typically needed for specialized programs, like computer camps. Applicants need to be experienced in areas related to the camp's overall focus. For example, a computer camp instructor will have to be knowledgeable about things like game design, the C++ programming language, computer system configuration or networking. These instructors often divide their time between being a standard camp counselor and being a classroom-style teacher.
Camp Counselor
This is the position most people think of when they think "summer camp job". The camp counselor is typically responsible for a specific number of campers and might share a cabin with them. He or she leads the group in all their activities, and helps the campers learn and grow from their experience, and there is often some genuine counseling happening as campers adjust to life at summer camp - especially if it's their first time away from home.
Camp Naturalist
This is not a common position as the duties are usually rolled into the Camp Director or Program Director Position. But when offered, the person in this position develops the camp's nature programs. The nature programs are intended to raise campers' awareness about the environment in general and eco-systems specific to the camp area. People applying for this position need to have environmentally-related experience, and knowledge of the area in which the camp is located.
Residential Nurse
Most camp nurses are required to be either an RN or LPN. The nurse is the one campers and counselors go to when they're sick, have poison ivy, or when they get hurt. Camp nurses or physicians are responsible for keeping their office stocked with the medications and other supplies that are needed to treat common camp-related illnesses and injuries.
This position may also be referred to as a Wellness Person, and some camps accept applications not only from nurses but also from paramedics and EMTs.
Department Head/Activity Specialist
Department Heads oversee specific aspects of the camp and usually report directly to the Camp Director. Position responsibilities include planning and executing activities, and ensuring that campers have an experience that meets the camp's goals. Department Heads typically have to be experience in the area for which they're applying and need to demonstrate that they've achieved a certain amount of success in that area. They also need to posses organizational and leadership skills.
Overnight Counselor
Though rare, some camps have daytime and nighttime counselors. Overnight counselors are typically there in case of emergency and may not interact much with the campers, depending on what time the shift starts. Some camps, however, split the shifts in such a way that the overnight counselors are there in time to have dinner with campers and spend time with them before "lights out".
Head Chef/Food Service
Campers are usually hungry people come meal time! The Head Cook or Head Chef is responsible for meal planning and preparation of all the meals offered during the campers' stay. The Head Cook may have other cooks working with him or her, but that isn't always the case. Someone who wants to apply for this position needs to have experience planning and preparing meals for large groups of people.
Waterfront Director
This is another specialized position not offered at every camp. But camps that include lakes or that are close to the ocean typically hire not only a Waterfront Director but lifeguards. The Waterfront Director is typically required to have LGT (Lifeguard Training) and possibly WSI (Water Safety Instructor) certification, and is responsible for the campers' safety when in and near the water. He or she may also be responsible for developing water-related programs and activities.
This is a long list, but it's by no means complete! There are also numerous positions available that are specific to camps and the programs they offer. If your particular interests aren't listed here, you can probably find something with just a little bit of research. Happy hunting!
Visit our Summer Camps Jobs page to find a job in Outdoor Education, Wilderness Therapy, Leadership Expeditions, Adventure Camps, and more!
Talisman Summer Camps offer programs for children ages 8 to 17 with LD, ADD and ADHD much more than the typical summer adventure. Talisman specializes in creating camps that offer not only adventure, but learning experiences, for children and teenagers with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Asperger's syndrome and high-functioning autism.