If you would like to work with children, but cannot think of anything worse than being stuck in a class room trying to teach them about things they are not interested in, then a summer camp gap year job is probably exactly what you are looking for. Most summer camps you will see adverts for are based in the United States, but opportunities do exist in other countries, even in the UK. Summer Camp gap year workers often have sports teaching skills or experience - check the course requirements for details.
You will have heard of summer camp in America but did you know there are also summer camps in Canada?
A summer at a camp in Canada is your chance to work abroad in one of the most stunning counties in the world. Become a camp counselor or activity leader at an accredited Canadian camp.
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Make an enquiry with Smaller Earth
Work as a climbing instructor in the USA, whether it be rock climbing, low or high ropes, teaching children in traditional American summer camps with Camp Leaders
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Make an enquiry with Camp Leaders
Work as a lifeguard in a summer camp America with Camp Leaders for 9 weeks. Work as part of a team of lifeguards who run the camp pool and lake, organising activities and pool parties, whilst keeping everyone safe and keeping the pool clean.
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Make an enquiry with Camp Leaders
Coach sports to children in USA Summer Camps with Camp Leaders. The summer camp in America programme offers you the opportunity to gain over 500 hours of hands-on sports coaching, whether it's soccer, tennis, basketball or many more.
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Make an enquiry with Camp Leaders
Becoming a PGL Tour Leader is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in French culture and get involved with one of PGL’s most popular school trips – tailor-made French study tours to the wonderful city of Paris.
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Make an enquiry with PGL
Maximo Nivel’s volunteer programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru provide unique opportunities to live and work in Latin America, while giving back to the global community and immersing yourself in the local culture.
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Make an enquiry with Maximo Nivel
Work as an outdoor and adventure trip leader at a USA Summer Camp with Camp Leaders, running activities with children of all ages. From Orienteering to Nature and Hiking, you can work in America for your summer job abroad with Camp Leaders.
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Make an enquiry with Camp Leaders
Watersports jobs in America with Camp Leaders, including windsurfing, waterskiing, wake boarding and boating. Lead water activities for children's summer camps in America.
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Make an enquiry with Camp Leaders
Spend 3 months having the most epic summer at camp in America. Travel the states and earn up to $1150 in pocket money. Become a Camp Counselor and push yourself to be a better person, you will walk away from the summer as a problem solver, a communicator and a team player.
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Make an enquiry with Camp Leaders
You will have heard of summer camp in America but did you know there are also summer camps in Canada?
A summer at a camp in Canada is your chance to work abroad in one of the most stunning counties in the world. Become a camp counselor or activity leader at an accredited Canadian camp.
Get more details & apply
Make an enquiry with Smaller Earth
We’ve been running English camps for French children since 1994! With multiple locations across France, American Village Language Immersion Camps welcome thousands of kids each year. Our caring, fun, and professional counselor team is a part of what makes our camp so loved by our campers!
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Make an enquiry with American Villlage
PGL's Housekeeping Assistant roles in France are a good platform to get started in hospitality and fantastic job to enjoy with a team of like-minded people from around the world. First impressions are always important and you can help deliver a positive and lasting first impression for our guests.
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Make an enquiry with PGL
Work as a climbing instructor in the USA, whether it be rock climbing, low or high ropes, teaching children in traditional American summer camps with Camp Leaders
Get more details & apply
Make an enquiry with Camp Leaders
PMGY offer some of the most amazing Under 18 volunteer projects in gorgeous, exotic locations abroad from 1-week to 6-months.
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Make an enquiry with Plan My Gap Year
Do you love Amazing Outdoor Adventures?
Always wanted to try something different? Up for a real adventure?
We have an amazing 5 week adventure that might just be the best experience of your life!!
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Make an enquiry with Adventure Makers
Thinking about spending your summer working in the sun, rather than being cooped up in an office? Here is all the information you need in order to plan your trip to work at an American summer camp.
You might have to settle for peeling spuds in the kitchen, or you may be able to teach some of the activities, it often depends on your previous experience and the number of positions available. The best advice we can offer is to get your application in as soon as you can as competition for places can be fierce.
If you go through a summer camp provider instead of applying to a summer camp directly, the providers will help you arrange the requirements and walk you through the process.
Step 1 - In the first instance you need to apply online via their website. At this stage, most companies will require an initial payment of around £50 - this may or may not be refunded if your application is unsuccessful, so check the small print!
Step 2 - If your initial application is accepted, next you will be contacted to arrange an interview. These may take place locally, or often via skype.
Step 3 - Following on from the interview, if you are suitable for a summer camp role, the provider will help place you with a summer camp. You will usually be required to provide DBS and medical information, as well as second payment.
Step 4 - Visas, flights, and further arrangements will then be made.
General counselor - A general counselor will supervise or take part in the activities with the children, supervise the children during mealtimes, and also at nighttime; they often sleep in the same cabins as the campers.
Activity counselor - Activity counselors instruct an activity - therefore you will usually need a qualification or certification in order to instruct the campers. The types of activities you could teach include: Archery, Arts & Crafts, Canoeing/kayaking, Fencing, Horse riding, Life guard, Rifles, Rock climbing, Sailing, Sports (e.g. basketball, dodgeball), Tennis, Water-skiing.
Camp support staff - Support staff include roles such as office administration jobs, cleaners, cooks, servers, maintenance, or housekeepers.
My friend's older sister went to work a season at a summer camp in America and she didn't stop talking about her experience for months. That's probably where I first got the idea, though I remember seeing programmes and films as a child which romanticised the summer camp counsellor experience.
I first applied in August - the earlier the better - and it wasn't until November when I found out I had been successful. To be honest I wasn't sure I would be accepted as I had heard the financial crisis meant they didn't need as many staff these days, saying that, there were plenty of adverts for staff. I had some experience helping out with my local guides, so I applied to be a counselor, which basically involves being a mentor for the children, but also helping supervise the day to day events. Realistically, quite a few camps expect you to pitch in and help with a bit of everything, which is fair enough and makes the days more varied. If you have done some sports coaching that definitely helps your chances of being selected. Quite a lot of the people I ended up working with had sports teaching experience.
Anyway, I was placed at a residential summer camp for girls, in the state of Maine. I had no idea where it was when they told me, but once I knew I was accepted and where I was going, I did lots of online research, trying to find out everything I could about what to expect.
Arriving at the camp was fantastic. The location was amazing, right by a huge lake and lots of pine forests; pretty much exactly as I had pictured it over the last few months. I am sure some accommodation is basic, but the camp I was at was pretty luxurious so I must have been lucky. We had less than a week to settle in before the children started arriving.
The day to day work was fun... most of the time! It was great to see the children learning new skills and helping them get over their fears. Occasionally a child would be quite rude, but the massive majority were happy and just as excited to be there as we were. Well, almost. I really enjoyed the swimming and canoeing on the lake, and the meals were pretty good too. Meeting lots of new people and making friends I am sure I will keep in touch with for many years, plus getting to see some of the local area on our days off. Lots of favourite bits really. I would recommend working at a summer camp to everyone. You don't make tones of money, but it isn't really about that. It's the experience, and it will be the best you've ever had. Get your application in - you won't regret it.
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