8 Skills You Need to Work as a Summer Camp Counselor
Working as a summer camp counselor is a great job, especially for high school or college students. It’s a fun and fulfilling job that I recommend people look into if they are good with children.
In my experience being a camp counselor for two summers, if you want to be a counselor, you should have certain skills. Here is a list of skills you need to work at a summer camp.
Willing to “Get Your Hands Dirty”
If you are a camp counselor, you must be willing to “get your hands dirty.” Meaning, you must be willing to be directly and completely involved in whatever is going on at the time. You can’t just watch from afar.
For example, if the campers are doing arts and crafts, you can’t be off to the side using your phone. You should be sitting at the table making art with them! A good camp counselor is immersed in the activities going on at the moment, so be prepared to leave your phone behind and enjoy what’s in front of you.
Caring
Surprise, surprise: as a camp counselor, you will have to deal with numerous kids. Every single day. If you want to be a counselor, you have to be caring towards these kids. You must find a balance between being a firm leader and a caring counselor.
For instance, if they are breaking the rules or putting themselves in danger, you need to be firm with them. But at the same time, you should be kind and understanding if they need a friend. Keep in mind that they are still just kids. They are still growing and learning, and they need someone to love and care about them.
Responsible
Being a camp counselor is a big responsibility. You have to make sure a bunch of kids are safe, fed, hydrated, uninjured, and having fun. Being responsible also means that if something goes wrong, you can’t point fingers at others. You have to own up to your mistakes. If you want to be a camp counselor, make sure you are willing to take on that load.
Creative
The job of a camp counselor requires you to think on your feet. You have to come up with creative, fun activities to entertain the campers. (For example, inventing a new game or art project). Also, if a problem comes up, you have to be creative enough to come up with a solution. If you can think on your feet, you would be a good camp counselor.
Initiative and Leadership
Like most jobs, camp counselors are expected to take initiative when needed. Stepping up to the plate and taking charge is encouraged. If there is a problem, it’s not someone else’s job to solve it, it’s your job. Taking initiative is a way of showing you care about the camp, the campers, and your fellow counselors. You are there to be a leader, not just to have fun, so please take initiative.
Able to work with others
It’s very likely you will not be the only counselor at the camp. You will likely have someone above you (like a supervisor), people at the same level as you (co-workers, other camp counselors), and people below you (the campers). You must be able to work with people at each level.
Respect your supervisors and follow their instructions. Don’t be that one counselor who always argues with the supervisor. Similarly, be helpful to your co-workers. If they need something, be there for them. Avoid gossiping about (or picking fights with) your co-counselors. Of course, also be kind to the campers and try to make the camp experience fun for them. As a camp counselor, you are part of a bigger team. Make sure you are doing your part to make the team work.
Energetic
It’s no secret that chasing after so many kids for 8 hours a day, every day, really takes it out of you. It’s fun and fulfilling, but you will leave feeling exhausted. Make sure you are well rested and fed so you can be your best, most energetic self when the kids need you.
Be a good example
Whether they want to admit it or not, these campers will look up to you. You will set the bar for how they will behave. You cannot expect them to follow the rules if you don’t follow them yourself. So please, set a good example for the campers.
A camp counselor is a very demanding, tough job. But it’ll also teach you a lot and you will have fun. If you have the skills listed above, and if you like working with children, then you should definitely look into becoming a summer camp counselor. It will be an adventure and a summer you will never forget.