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Want to Teach Art & Performance?

Create a brand-new generation of artists by passing on your own talents to the kids at summer camp. However your creativity shines, there’s a role to match.

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What Do Arts & Performance Counselors Do?

The list of creative activities offered at camp is endless. You might be an incredible Graffiti Artist, the master of SFX makeup or simply at home wherever there’s a stage. Of course, you’ll also be making endless friendship bracelets and ‘Scoobies’ too. You’ll lead sessions in your area of expertise to different groups of campers throughout the day, helping them discover their own confidence, inspiration, and creative flair. Creative jobs at camp are competitive, so apply as soon as you can.

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Skills & Experience

  • Creative Arts

    These are some of the creative arts you might teach at camp:

    • Arts & Crafts
    • Batik
    • Beauty
    • Ceramics
    • Fashion
    • Graffiti Art
    • Jewellery
    • Leather Work
    • Metal Work
    • Mural Painting
    • Painting
    • Pottery
    • Scultping
    • Sewing
    • Silk Screen
    • Stained Glass
    • Tie-dye
    • Weaving
    • Woodwork

    Previous experience and qualifications in any of these areas will look great as part of your application. You’ll need to be able to demonstrate that you can lead and teach whichever area you’d like to specialise in at camp. We also recommend that you add plenty of imagery and/or a video to your application to demonstrate your skills!

  • Performing Arts

    These are the performing arts you might teach at camp:

    • Ballet
    • Circus
    • Costuming
    • Dance – other
    • Directing
    • DJing
    • Drama
    • LARP
    • Lighting and Sound
    • Magic
    • Modern Dance
    • Music (piano, guitar, ukelele, drums)
    • Theatre Make Up
    • Theatre Production
    • Set Construction
    • Stage Management

    Previous experience and qualifications in any of these areas will look great as part of your application. You’ll need to be able to demonstrate that you can lead and teach whichever area you’d like to specialise in at camp. We also recommend that you add plenty of imagery and/or a video to your application to demonstrate your skills!

  • Culinary Arts

    If you’re a budding Master Chef or dreaming of entering the Great British Bake Off, why not teach cooking or baking at camp?

    Previous experience and qualifications in any of these areas will look great as part of your application. You’ll need to be able to demonstrate that you can lead and teach whichever area you’d like to specialise in at camp. We also recommend that you add plenty of imagery and/or a video to your application to demonstrate your skills!

  • Childcare

    Even though you’re an activity specialist, you’ll still likely have counselor duties when you’re not teaching or taking your time off. Any childcare experience can be great to include in your application. As a counselor your duties will include waking campers up in the mornings, joining in with mealtimes and evening activities and then making sure they go to bed at night. You’ll be keeping them organised and safe, making sure they listen to instructions (and follow them…) and also serving as a key source of fun and entertainment throughout the day!

  • Enthusiasm & a Fun-Loving Attitude

    As well as finding talented individuals who can help campers find their inner artist, Camp Directors are looking for Arts & Performance Counselors who can make sure their campers enjoy the best summer ever.

    By approaching every day and every activity with enthusiasm and fun, you’ll make sure your campers feel the same way too. They’ll be much more willing to step out of their own comfort zones and embrace new experiences, especially if they’re first-time campers who might already be feeling a bit unsure or nervous.

  • Communication

    From sunrise to lights out, you’re likely talking to someone, somewhere. From campers to other counselors and staff members, you’re going to need your communication skills to be in tip-top shape.

    With the campers, you need to be able to strike the balance between understanding and following rules and expectations, and creating incredible memories of one of the best summers they’ll ever have. Although, remember communication isn’t just about talking - you’ll need to actively listen to any problems or concerns, and make sure campers feel valued and heard.

    Although you might be an activity leader, you’ll never be working alone. You’ll be part of a network of hugely supportive team members at camp, and likely develop new friendships you’ll have for years and years to come. Communication becomes one of the most important aspects of the teamwork you’ll need to make sure each day runs smoothly.

  • Patience

    You’re going to spend a minimum of 9 weeks working with kids of varying ages at camp. They’re going to be excited and energetic, and you just wait until the sugar in those s’mores hits their system!

    Patience is a hugely valuable skill to have in your remit. By being patient you’ll be able to let the campers express themselves to their fullest, all the while retaining control, maintaining the fun and being as supportive as you possibly can. When a challenge arises, patience can help you navigate it with ease.

  • Flexibility

    Camp life and kids are unpredictable, so having some flexibility is going to help you out a lot in daily camp life. Joining this together with some problem-solving skills, you’ll be able to navigate plenty of tricky situations.

    From changes to the schedule, handling bad weather or dealing with unexpected events, being flexible will help you handle a changing camp environment in a way that means your campers likely remain oblivious to the fact that this wasn’t the plan all along. The more enthusiastic you are about new plans, the more on board your campers will be too!

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Real Experiences

Don't just take our word for it - this is just a snapshot of the amazing summers our participants have had at summer camp and why they keep coming back for more.

Working with campers from 7-16, boys and girls, the talent and sometimes the just plain enthusiasm is brilliant. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else on camp!

Rhi

Rhi

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The application process is so easy and Camp America are there to guide you through it every step of the way. The team are all so helpful.

Colm, Camp Walden NY

Colm, Camp Walden NY

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I made friends for life at camp who I still see today from all across the world and Camp America made that happen!

Lucy, Camp Northwood NY

Lucy, Camp Northwood NY

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The reason I keep going back to camp is because I can impact lives, grow culturally, and make life-long friends from all over the world.

Matt, Camp Sebago ME

Matt, Camp Sebago ME

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Were my post-camp travels worth it? Would I do it all again? Well, this year will be my third summer in a row… so you tell me!

Craig, Independent Lake Camp PA

Craig, Independent Lake Camp PA

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Camp is my happy place. I can’t wait to see my campers again! I’m ready to be back for another year of making more memories, friends and having fun!

Molly, YMCA Camp Kon O Kwee Spencer PA

Molly, YMCA Camp Kon O Kwee Spencer PA

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Why Be an Arts & Performance Counselor?

You get to spend your summer living and breathing your favourite creative outlet, sharing those skills with a new generation, and watching their own talents and confidence grow. Plus, you also get to throw yourself into other classic camp activities too outside of your sessions! These are some of the most sought-after jobs by applicants, so if your skills are in these areas we recommend you apply as early as you possibly can.

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Ready for the experience?

Don’t miss out on your American summer camp adventure. Start your application today and prepare for a summer working abroad, travelling the USA, and becoming a positive role model for children and young adults in whichever camp you call home.