Summer Camp Jobs

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 job is probably exactly the right gap year for you! 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. Course requirements vary from job to job so please check for details.

If you have some experience or qualifications in sports teaching, your summer camp job application will be strong. Even if you don't have experience it is still possible to work at a 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 summer camp jobs can be fierce.


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Let us find your perfect Summer Camp Job Gap Year. We can put you in touch with a few outstanding providers who can help you plan and cost your adventure.

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POPULAR SUMMER CAMP JOB COURSES


Outdoor Activity Instructor
SPECIAL OFFER!

Outdoor Activity Instructor

UK

As an Instructor you will deliver exciting and fun activity sessions to our guests, who range from Schools, Scouts and Guides and some adult groups.
More Details.. Blackwell Adventure



Premium School based work
SPECIAL OFFER!

Premium School based work

MidEast

We are currently hiring for term 3 gap students for Muscat, Oman. We may also have some vacancies in Doha, Qatar. We are also hiring across our portfolio for the 23/ 24 academic year starting in late August 2023.
More Details.. Cheltenham School Muscat



OUR FEATURED GAP YEARS


Summer Dinghy Instructor Training

Summer Dinghy Instructor Training

UK

Make the most of your summer holidays with our Summer Dinghy Instructor Training course. Our all-inclusive course gives you the chance to learn skills, gain qualifications and have fun on the water – all at our awesome 4-acre waterfront base.
More Details.. UKSA



Animators

Animators

Europe

Manor Adventure are currently recruiting for Animators for our French centre - Chateau Du Broutel located on the outskirts of the small town Rue, Northern France.
More Details.. Manor Adventure



Multi Activity Instructors UK

Multi Activity Instructors UK

UK

We are recruiting for instructors with and without previous experience, to work at our UK activity centres Lockerbie Manor, Abernant Lake Hotel, Norfolk Lakes and Culmington Manor, where you will be teaching outdoor pursuits to school groups.
More Details.. Manor Adventure



ALL GAP TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES


Premium School based work

Premium School based work

MidEast

We are currently hiring for term 3 gap students for Muscat, Oman. We may also have some vacancies in Doha, Qatar. We are also hiring across our portfolio for the 23/ 24 academic year starting in late August 2023.
More Details.. Cheltenham School Muscat



Outdoor Activity Instructor
SPECIAL OFFER!

Outdoor Activity Instructor

UK

As an Instructor you will deliver exciting and fun activity sessions to our guests, who range from Schools, Scouts and Guides and some adult groups.
More Details.. Blackwell Adventure



Cultural Exchange Program in China

Cultural Exchange Program in China

Asia

The Wanderlust Exchange Au Pair In China Program integrates educational travel, Mandarin learning, childcare and English tutoring. As an Au Pair, you will provide childcare to children of all ages as well as assist with their homework, and organize fun activities for the children.
More Details.. Shanghai Kunta Culture Exchange Ltd - Wanderlust Exchange




Spend your summer at an American Summer Camp

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 secure a job at an American summer camp.

summer camp canoeing
The Application Process

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.

summer camp counselor jobs
Types of summer camps jobs available

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.


usa lake camp
Types of summer camps
  • Private camps
  • Day camps
  • Under-privileged background camps
  • Special needs camps
  • Not for profit camps
  • Speciality camps
  • Girl scout camps
  • Faith groups

Popular locations

  • USA & Canada
  • New Zealand & Australia
  • France, Italy & Spain
travel planning maps
Before you travel!
  • J-1 Camp Counselor Visa (You need to go to the US Embassy, London. The visa enables you to work in the summer camp for 3 months & to travel the US for 30 days following camp)
  • In date passport
  • Flights
  • Medical insurance
  • CRB check (in order to work with children)

A Summer Camp Experience

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.