How To Become A Camp Counselor
You’re wondering how to become a camp counselor?
Or perhaps you have always wanted to work at a summer camp but you’re not sure where to get started?
Well, this article is going to walk you through the process of becoming a summer camp counselor.
We will outline why you should be a camp counselor and what different camp counselor roles are available, before rounding out the article with how you can become a camp counselor yourself.
So, let’s dive into how to become a camp counselor.
Disclaimer - we are an affiliate of Wild Packs where we earn a referral bonus if you apply to be a camp counselor with them, at no extra cost to you (you actually save £25 on your own fees by being referred by us!).
Is working at a summer camp worth it?
100% YES!! We’ve honestly never been so sure of anything else when it comes to travelling and working abroad. Working at a summer camp is the most rewarding experience you can have and you will come out of the summer with memories that will last a lifetime!
Why you should become a summer camp counselor:
While there are a myriad of reasons why you should become a camp counselor, we thought we’d highlight the 5 main reasons why you should work at a summer camp and become a camp counselor, at least for one summer:
Gives you the chance to be a kid again - let’s face it, summer camp is a chance to let your hair down and just enjoy yourself. Yes it’s hard work and the hours can be long, but we don’t think you’ll ever have as much fun as when you’re at camp!
Travel all over the US - becoming a camp counselor allows you to venture to every corner of the US in search of a new adventure. Some of the best places to travel after camp may in fact be some of the best places to travel in the world.
You will be paid well for doing something you love - counselors typically earn at least $1600 for their summer duties, which may not sound like too much but when you consider your accommodation and food is provided for the whole summer, you begin to realise it's a lot of money.
Meet friends from all around the world - between the two of us, we have stayed with friends in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, America, the UK and Ireland, all because we met at a summer camp in Upstate New York. Camp really does bring the world together!
Escape social media and the ‘outside world’ for a few months - let’s face it, we all spend far too much time on social media nowadays. Being a camp counselor allows you to take a break from that and truly disconnect for a summer. It really is quite a liberating feeling!
Camp Counselors having the time of their lives!
What summer camp counselor roles are there?
Before you become a summer camp counselor, you have to decide what role you would like to work for the summer.
While there are a number of positions available at camp, they broadly fit into 2 categories. The General Counselor role and a Specialist Counselor role. Here’s what you can expect from either position.
General Counselor Role:
This is the most common summer camp counselor role. You are essentially a counselor for one designated group of kids and it is your job to take them to activities, look after them and generally be there for them. It is the most “traditional” summer camp counselor role you can have.
Specialist Counselor Roles:
Specialist counselors differ from general counselors in that they specialise in one specific role at camp and it is their duty to look after that area every day. Examples of specialist counselors could be ropes course staff, lifeguards, arts and crafts counselors or horse-riding specialists.
If you have a specific skill or prior experience working in one of the specialty areas, it is likely that a camp would want to hire you as a specialist counselor. If you don’t have specific experience, or more generalised experience working with kids, it is likely that being placed as a general counselor will be your best option.
High Ropes Counselor - one of the specialist counselor roles at camp
What types of summer camps are there?
As with the different job roles, before you become a camp counselor you have to decide which type of camp you would like to work in. There are many different types of summer camps so choose whichever camp you feel would make you the most comfortable and where you will thrive. Here’s a few of the different types of camps you can expect in the US:
Traditional Co-ed Camps
Dedicated Sports Camps
Special Needs Camps
All-boys/All-girls Camps
Day Camps
Expedition Camps
Faith Based Camps
Camps for Underprivileged Children
How to become a camp counselor?
Ok, so now you have seen the reasons why you should become a camp counselor, the different camp counselor roles available, and the different types of camp you can work at. Now it’s time for the fun part, applying to become a camp counselor.
The easiest, cheapest and most stress-free way of becoming a summer camp counselor is to apply through an agency that is able to take care of everything for you. As it will be your first time as a camp counselor, the agency will source interviews with camps, help you with the visa application process and generally be able to help you every step of the way.
The Recruitment Agency we recommend is Wild Packs - they have a dedicated team that can assist you with each stage of the process and they help to place hundreds of counselors each summer at camps all around the US.
Ben first applied to work as a summer camp counselor with Wild Packs back in 2015 - if it wasn’t for them, we would never have found our summer home in Upstate New York.
Here’s a very brief rundown of what the application process to be a camp counselor looks like with Wild Packs:
Step 1 - apply to Wild Packs online
Step 2 - have an interview with one of the Wild Packs staff to see whether you’d be a good fit for summer camp
Step 3 - when you pass the initial interview, your details will be handed to a number of Camp Directors in the US. They will then contact Wild Packs and ask for an interview with you.
Step 4 - have an interview with the Summer Camp and when you’re offered a job you can then move onto step 5
Step 5 - visa application process (Wild Packs will be there to help you throughout this process, we promise it isn’t as daunting as you would imagine)
Step 6 - book a flight to the USA and have the best summer of your life!
Get £25 off your fees when you mention ‘Ticket 4 Two Please’ on your application!
Being a summer camp counselor really is the best job in the world!
Fees you pay to become a camp counselor:
Wild Packs Fees:
£350 - the fee you pay to Wild Packs for them to sponsor your visa and find you a camp (If you mention Ticket 4 Two Please on the application you will get £25 off this fee)
Other External Fees:
£117 (US$160) - US Embassy Appointment Fee
£0-50 - Medical Check
£25 - Police Background Check
Total (excluding flights to the US) = ≈£520
£520 for the best summer of your life, sounds like a great deal to us! In fact, we know it’s a great deal because we have done this process a combined 13 times now!
Ready for the summer of a lifetime?
Look at all the fun you can have at camp!
So, there you have it. The complete rundown of how to become a summer camp counselor. We hope this article has inspired you to start the application process to become a camp counselor - we promise you will not regret it!
