How to Hire a Camp Counselor
Hiring great counselors is the heartbeat of a successful season. Counselors set the tone for safety, belonging, and fun, and they are often the reason campers return and bring their friends. This guide explains where to find strong candidates, how to evaluate them, and what to offer so the best people say yes, for both resident and day camps.
If you need to build a pipeline quickly, source candidates on the CampHire Marketplace or lean on our team through HR Services for Camps. We also keep live openings posted on Current Searches.
Where to Hire a Camp Counselor
Start where intent is highest and the culture fit is strongest. Post on sector-specific boards like the ACA Career Center, then drive candidates to your own Work at Camp page so they see your mission, pay range, and daily rhythm. Tap your alumni and counselor-in-training pipeline, partner with campus recreation and education programs, and visit lifeguard, WFA, and outdoor-ed courses where pre-certified candidates gather. Short, authentic videos from returning staff on Instagram or TikTok convert well because they show real days at camp. For extra reach and faster screening, source through the CampHire Marketplace and let our team route matched candidates to you.
Layer in targeted networks to broaden representation and skills: outdoor clubs, multilingual student groups, and community colleges with early-childhood or recreation tracks. Timing matters, so start in the fall, run your main push mid-winter, and refresh listings in spring; this cadence consistently improves conversion (Timing Is Everything). Keep your posts clear and inclusive to boost qualified applications (Cut the Fluff and Inclusive JDs). If you need help structuring the outreach, we can set up a quick campaign and manage responses through HR Services for Camps.
Indeed
ACA Career Center
International agencies
Idealist
How to Hire a Camp Counselor
Great hiring is a simple, repeatable process. Define the role, write an inclusive job description, open multiple sourcing channels, screen quickly, and communicate clearly. Speed matters, and so does respect. Fast, thoughtful responses lower ghosting and raise your offer acceptance rate. See our guides on reducing ghosting and on flexibility that attracts talent.
Make the candidate experience predictable. Share the steps, the timeline, the expectations for housing or commute, and the support systems you provide. Consider part-summer contracts or specialty roles if that expands your pool, then highlight that flexibility in your outreach. If you promote on boards, this primer helps you make each post count: How to Get the Most from Job Board Promotion.
Define must-haves and nice-to-haves, then write the JD
Post and promote, then reply within 24 hours
Use a short structured screen and one practical scenario
Communicate decisions quickly and close with enthusiasm
What Does a Camp Counselor Do
Counselors create safe, memorable days for campers while modeling your values. They lead activities, manage cabin life, guide group dynamics, and communicate with supervisors and parents. In strong programs, counselors act like educators and mentors. They notice small wins, handle small conflicts before they grow, and make sure every camper has a role in the story of the session.
The work blends instruction, supervision, and care. A counselor might teach archery mid-morning, coach a homesick camper at lunch, and lead songs by the fire after dinner. The role builds leadership, communication, and teamwork skills that employers value beyond camping. Research shows positive employer perceptions of summer camp work as a signal of these competencies (study).
Camp Counselor Responsibilities
Responsibilities vary by program, but the core idea is consistent: protect the physical and emotional safety of children while creating an environment that is playful, structured, and supportive. Counselors follow schedules, adapt to weather and real life, and bring joy to routines so campers look forward to the day. When responsibilities are clear and prioritized, staff can act with confidence.
Write responsibilities in plain language and connect them to training and evaluation. A new counselor should be able to read your list and understand what you value most. Link each duty to a specific module in orientation and to the way you provide feedback during the season. This alignment helps people improve and feel successful.
Safety: supervision ratios, site rules, emergency actions
Program delivery: activity prep, instruction, and clean up
Community care: conflict resolution, inclusion practices, role modeling
Communication: daily briefings, incident notes, parent-facing updates
What Makes a Good Camp Counselor
The best counselors are steady, kind, and curious. They listen closely to campers, notice changes in mood or energy, and support peers with a calm presence. They enjoy leading activities and they take pride in the simple parts of camp life like cabin clean-up, afternoon rest, and shared meals. They know a great program balances freedom with structure.
Judgment separates good from great. Strong counselors follow safety procedures, ask for help when needed, and suggest ideas that make days run smoother. They value fairness and prevent small conflicts from growing. Above all, they reflect your mission in the way they talk, decide, and celebrate other people’s wins.
Good Qualities for a Camp Counselor
Qualities are the traits you can feel in the dining hall or on the field. Look for people who genuinely enjoy being with children and teens, who are comfortable leading and also comfortable sharing the stage. Ask for examples of times they tried something new, handled feedback, or learned from a mistake. You are listening for humility and growth, not perfection.
You can test for qualities with simple exercises. Ask candidates to walk through a tricky cabin scenario and explain their reasoning. Invite them to record a short intro video so you can hear tone, pace, and clarity. References confirm whether a candidate brings steadiness, teamwork, and care to daily routines. If you want to automate this step, see our post on reference checks.
Camp Counselor Skills
Skills are the teachable parts of the job. Many will be covered in training, but hiring for a base level helps. Technical skills often include belay systems, lifeguarding, or first aid. Program skills might include arts instruction, outdoor cooking, or team sports. Soft skills include conflict de-escalation, group facilitation, and time management.
Map the skills you need by session and by day. If you plan to grow your sailing program, you will need more water staff. If your inclusion goals focus on neurodiverse campers, build training and supervision into that space. Our team can help you structure training and supervision plans through HR Services for Camps.
Safety and risk: lifeguard, first aid, emergency procedures
Program delivery: lesson pacing, equipment care, skills progressions
Group management: routines, transitions, conflict tools
How Much Does a Camp Counselor Make
Compensation looks different across regions and camp types. Resident camps often offer a weekly or seasonal stipend that includes housing and meals. Day camps often pay hourly and may add commuter benefits. Specialty roles or certifications usually carry a premium, and returning staff often earn more than first-year hires. Be transparent so candidates can compare offers fairly.
Consider the full package, not just the rate. Room and board, travel reimbursement, laundry, training credentials, and end-of-season bonuses can change the value a lot. Show what growth and return pathways look like. When people see a clear ladder to leadership pay, they are more likely to stay and grow with you.
State your range in the job post to increase qualified applications
Highlight non-cash benefits such as housing, meals, certifications
Consider return or mid-summer milestone bonuses to reduce attrition
Camp Counselor Job Description
Your job description should be clear, inviting, and inclusive. Write for real people, avoid jargon, and explain the rhythm of a day and a week. Be honest about the hard parts and the supports you provide. A transparent JD reduces mismatches and improves retention. Use our free Camp Counselor Job Description template to get started.
Inclusive language expands your pool and supports equity goals. Avoid gendered terms, remove insider acronyms, and focus on essential functions. If you need a refresh, these guides help you tighten the copy and reduce barriers: How to Write Inclusive Job Descriptions and Cut the Fluff.
Mission snapshot, daily rhythm, supervision and support
Essential duties and safety expectations
Required and preferred qualifications
Pay range, benefits, and timeline to apply
Camp Counselor Interview Questions
Interviews should feel like a conversation. You are looking for judgment, warmth, and readiness to learn. Share a few realistic scenarios and ask the candidate to think out loud. Keep the process short and humane, communicate next steps, and avoid unnecessary hoops. If you plan to view public social content as part of screening, create a clear and consistent policy first: Looking Up Candidates on Social Media.
Use structured questions so each candidate has a fair shot to shine, then probe for specifics. Consider prompts like the examples below. Ask for concrete actions and what changed next time. This approach reveals growth, not just good intentions.
Tell me about a time you helped a nervous camper feel welcome.
Describe a moment when you made a safety decision under time pressure.
How do you balance fun and fairness when the group wants different things?
Share an example of feedback you received and how you used it.
Walk me through how you would handle two campers in conflict after a game.
FAQs
What is a summer camp counselor?
A camp counselor is a seasonal youth leader who supervises campers, leads activities, and supports their social and emotional growth. The role mixes teaching, mentorship, and day-to-day care so campers feel safe, included, and excited to participate.
What skills do you learn from being a camp counselor?
Counselors develop leadership, communication, problem solving, and teamwork. Many also gain certifications (first aid, lifeguarding) and experience in conflict resolution and group facilitation that transfers to school and work.
How old do you have to be to be a camp counselor?
Minimum age varies by state, insurance, and program type. Many camps hire counselors at 16 or 17 for day programs and 18 or older for resident programs. Check local regulations and your accrediting body before posting requirements.
How to be a good counselor at camp?
Focus on safety and inclusion, follow routines, communicate clearly, and ask for help early. Prepare activities, learn campers’ names and needs, and reflect at day’s end on what to improve tomorrow.
How old do you have to be to be a junior camp counselor?
Junior counselor roles often start at 14 to 16, depending on state rules and insurance. These roles include extra supervision and training so teens can learn the ropes.
Can you be a camp counselor at 14?
Some programs offer counselor-in-training or junior roles at 14. Duties are limited, supervision is higher, and laws vary, so confirm local rules before opening these roles.
Why is being a camp counselor the best job?
It blends impact and adventure. You help children grow, build friendships, learn leadership the practical way, and spend your summer outdoors. The skills travel with you into school, work, and community life.
What industry is “camp counselor” in?
Camp counseling sits in the youth development and recreation industry, overlapping with education, outdoor recreation, and nonprofit services.
How many hours per week does a typical camp counselor work?
Day camp counselors often work 35 to 45 hours per week. Resident camp counselors are usually on a weekly or seasonal schedule that includes cabin life, with defined time off built into the session.
How to apply to be a camp counselor?
Browse roles on our Work at Camp page as well as popular job boards. Read the job description closely, prepare a short note about why you want the role, and apply early in the season. You can also check our Current Searches for openings we’re managing.
Need help hiring a summer camp counselor? We can help. Contact us to get started.
