Find a Summer Camp Job

Working at a summer camp can be a fun and rewarding job, but it can be difficult to know where to start. Reach out to past teachers and camp directors to see if there are any summer camp job opportunities near you. Once you have prepared your resume, there are also plenty of online resources you can use to search for a summer camp job.

Steps

Networking to Find a Job

1. Check in with local clubs and youth organizations. While not all youth organizations and nearby clubs are connected with summer camps, you should still look into the possibility. Depending on your location, you might be able to contact groups that cater to certain communities.
   • Although you won’t start working until the summer, you should give yourself as much time as possible to find a position at a summer camp. Start asking around about possible job opportunities at least 3-4 months before you’d want to start working.
2. Contact your past camp directors. If you went to summer camp in your youth, consider reaching out to your past camp directors. Even if they are no longer working for a camp, they could have valuable connections that could help you get a job at a summer camp.
   • Many camps have contact information on their website. If you’re uncertain of how to reach one of your past camp directors, that may be a good place to start.
3. Talk to your past gym teachers for advice. While talking to your past teachers is by no means a guaranteed way to find a summer camp job, it can be an excellent starting point. The education field itself involves a lot of networking, so there’s a chance that your past gym teacher might know some people in leadership positions at summer camps. Contact your teacher to see when they’re available to chat, and set up an appointment for later.
   • Write down a list of questions to ask your teacher ahead of time.
   • Since summer camp has many physical activities, past gym teachers are most likely to have connections with different camp leaders or organizations.
4. Look for underage work opportunities. If you are a teenager and want to get a job at a summer camp, consider looking into a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program. This program helps younger individuals to gain valuable skills in leadership and responsibility while staying in a supervised environment. Check and see if a summer camp near you offers CIT programs.
   • Having a scouting background may also help you to develop valuable skills for a future summer camp position.

Searching for a Job Online

1. Pick a summer camp role that you’d enjoy the most. Before you apply to any summer camps, you should determine what kind of position you’d have the most fun doing. While being a counselor may seem like the most obvious choice, you may also be able to get a job as a lifeguard or nurse. Pick a job that best suits your skill sets.
   • When you go to prepare your resume, this will help you to include past jobs and experiences that cater to a specific position.
   • Consider your strengths and weaknesses when selecting a preferred summer camp job.
2. Look online to find national camp organizations. Browse the web to find different camp directories, such as the American Camp Association (ACA). Depending on your location, there are several websites that contain job opportunities solely for summer camps.
   • Decide if you want to work part-time or full-time before applying. Most summer camp jobs will be seasonal, but you should decide how much time you’re willing to commit to a job before submitting any applications.
3. Use an online job search site for more general results. If you want to perform a broader job search, consider using a job search website like Indeed, Monster, or Glassdoor. Many of these sites, like Indeed, let you subscribe to email alerts when new and relevant summer camp jobs are posted.
   • Bookmark job positions that look interesting. Even if you find an interesting job, you may not be able to apply for it right away. Use the bookmarking feature on your web browser to save any job postings that you would like to look at later.
4. Contact a job recruitment agency if you have trouble finding a job. If you feel a bit lost during the job search process, a recruitment agency may be able to help pair you with a suitable summer camp job. In many cases, recruitment agencies assist employers by finding people that match specific job qualifications. You can find recruiting agencies to work with online.
   • Be careful when using recruitment agencies, as they are often a front for scams. Avoid companies that ask you for fees, or that try to get your financial information (i.e, bank account number).

Getting the Job

1. Prepare a great resume. Employers want to hire someone who is qualified for the job, so put down positions at camps and other organizations where you have previously worked. Try to keep your listings to the past 2-3 years. Be sure to note any special skills or certifications that you have (i.e, CPR training).
   • Keep keywords in mind when writing your resume. Terms like “good with kids” and “CPR certified” may stick out more to a summer camp that’s looking to hire.
   • Consider using a program like Microsoft Word to create your resume. This makes it easy to have a digital or print copy on hand, if necessary. If you want to use something other than Word, there are websites that offer different resume templates to choose from.
   • Some people choose to use a website to display their resume. Sites like WordPress can do this, but they may make it more difficult for you to print out a hard copy of your resume.
2. Get ready for a possible job interview. Depending on the summer camp, you may have to come in to interview for the position. Think ahead to what you may be asked, such as questions regarding your leadership skills or your ability to work with others.
   • At some point after the interview, be sure to send a thank you email to the camp for their time and consideration. This will make you stand out as a courteous applicant.
3. Send a follow-up email in 1 week. If you don’t hear back from the camp within a week, consider sending a follow-up email about your job application. Since most summer camp jobs are seasonal, it is better to be proactive and make the most of your time during your job search.
4. Receive any necessary certifications. Depending on the position you’re applying for, you may be required to get some additional certifications, like CPR training. Certain health organizations offer CPR and other first aid courses for a fee.
   • In addition to basic first aid skills, you can also learn wilderness first aid, along with other training.

References

See also

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• Speed Up Your Job Search
• Search Global Jobs From Your Mobile Phone
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• Look for a Summer Job
• Find a Job for Your Skill with SkillLot.com
• Find a Job on GAPbuster
• Apply for a Job via Careerbuilder

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