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Jobs at Camp

Want to Be an Adventure Counselor?

If you love the outdoors, these could be the perfect activities for you to lead. Share your love of adventures with campers and explore your camp’s beautiful environment.

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Become a role model

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What Does an Adventure Counselor Do?

A summer job as an Adventure Counselor is perfect for anyone who loves exploring the outdoors. Jobs range from outdoor sports like hiking and rock climbing to outdoor skills like cooking, ecology, and even gardening. You might stay in and around camp facilities, or you might head out on day trips and overnight treks. With most camps set amongst stunning scenery, you’ll get to see the best of the local area.

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Become a role model

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Skills & Experience

  • Outdoor & Adventure Sports

    You can teach the following outdoor & adventure sports at camp:

    • Hiking and Mountaineering,
    • Rock Climbing
    • High and Low ropes
    • Zip-lining

    Any previous experience, qualifications, or training in instructing these activities will look great as part of your application. For example, it could be in-house training instructing climbing at an outdoor activity centre, or even a Climbing Wall Award from the British Mountaineering Council. For things like mountaineering, the Duke of Edinburgh Award is great on your application.

    If you’ve just participated in these activities frequently in the past, camps might still hire you for this role as some provide their own training on camp.

  • Outdoor Skills

    You can teach the following outdoor skills at camp:

    • Outdoor Education
    • Nature
    • Botanics
    • Ecology
    • Farm Animal Care
    • Wildlife
    • Forestry
    • Gardening
    • Camping

    Any previous experience, qualifications, or training in instructing these activities will look great as part of your application. However, if you’ve just participated in these activities frequently in the past, camps might still hire you for this role depending on your level of knowledge and interest.

  • 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

    Camp Directors are always looking for Outdoor & Adventure 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 your campers themselves, 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.

    With other counselors and staff members, you’ll also be building a network of hugely supportive relationships at camp, and likely developing 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.

Making s’mores after campers learnt how to build a campfire during Outdoor Living Skills is always a highlight, along with making the campers laugh by performing funny songs and skits as they join in.

Emily, Jamestown 4-H Educational Center VA

Emily, Jamestown 4-H Educational Center VA

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My first year at camp was after being hired at a Camp America recruitment fair. Within a week of the campers arriving, they’d become little brothers which made returning the easiest decision I’d ever made.

Sam, Camp Lakota NY

Sam, Camp Lakota NY

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You are captivated by the surroundings and unplugged from the outside world. It’s an adventure inside a bubble that you never want to pop, full of lasting friendships and unforgettable memories.

Cherie, Camp Farwell VT

Cherie, Camp Farwell VT

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The Camp America team are all so helpful. The interviewers are amazing as well, they answer all your questions about the camp experience, whilst also helping to make your application really stand out.

Colm, Camp Walden NY

Colm, Camp Walden NY

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Being away from home comforts really makes you appreciate the little things at camp. I love the weather, the lake and activities, but creating smiles and excitement for others really motivated me.

Jack, Camp Champions TX

Jack, Camp Champions TX

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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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Get back to nature

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Why Be an Adventure Counselor?

If you love being outdoors, being an Outdoor & Adventure Counselor will mean you get to spend the entire summer outside and get paid in the process. You might specialise or be part of lots of different outdoor adventures, but either way you’ll help lots of kids experience new activities and discover their self-confidence. As an activity specialist, you might also be eligible for a higher rate of pocket money, but this will depend on the activity, the camp, and the demand this season.

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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.