All posts by ASC

Five Questions a New Camper Parent Should Ask Any Summer Camp Director

April 21, 2023 ASC

Why Working at Summer Camp is the Best Experience of Your Life

January 10, 2023 ASC

Summer Jobs for Nursing Students

December 19, 2022 ASC

How to Find the Perfect Summer Camp Job as a College Student

December 18, 2022 ASC

Summer camp is a magical place where kids and teens can escape the distractions of technology and spend time in nature, making lasting memories with new friends. But for college students, working at summer camp can also be a great opportunity to gain valuable work experience, earn money, and make connections in the field of education or recreation.

The first step in finding a summer camp job is to decide what kind of role you’re looking for. Many summer camps hire counselors, instructors, and support staff for a variety of activities, such as sports, arts, and outdoor adventure. Some camps also hire specialists in fields such as music, theater, or science.

Once you’ve identified the type of role you’re interested in, it’s time to start applying. There are a few different ways to find summer camp job opportunities:

Online job boards: Websites such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn can be great resources for finding summer camp jobs. Simply search for camp jobs in your area and apply to any that match your skills and interests. Check out our very own job board for premier camps hiring for this summer.
Summer camp job fairs: Many colleges and universities host job fairs specifically for summer camp employment, this is a great way to learn about different camps, meet staff, and get a sense of the camp environment.
Camps’ websites: Many camps have a “Work at camp” or “Jobs” section of their website. Check out camps in your area to see if they have any job openings available.
Networking: Tell your friends and family that you’re looking for a summer camp job. You never know who might know someone who works at a camp or who might be able to put in a good word for you.
Find the best summer camp jobs right here! Browse our partner camps and see who is hiring and for what positions for this upcoming summer. Apply now to work at summer camp!

Once you’ve found a job opportunity that interests you, be sure to tailor your resume and cover letter to the position. Highlight any relevant experience you have, whether it’s from a previous camp job, a related class you took, or a leadership role you held on campus.

Working at a summer camp as a college student is not only a great way to earn money and gain work experience, but it is also an opportunity to have a positive impact on young people’s lives and have an unforgettable summer experience. By following the tips outlined above, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect summer camp job that aligns with your skills, interests, and career goals.

Nurses Needed For Summer Camps in 2023!

December 17, 2022 ASC

Get on the water! Summer camps need waterski and wakeboard instructors!

November 15, 2022 ASC

Summer camps need nurses now more than ever!

November 15, 2022 ASC

How To Get Hired At Summer Camp

November 7, 2022 ASC

There’s no denying that great staff can turn a camp from mediocre to outstanding, which is why camps are making a concerted effort to hire extraordinary staff members every summer. Working at a summer camp entails being accountable for the physical and mental well-being of children, which is a job that no parent or camp professional takes lightly.

Jobs at a sleep away camp are highly sought-after positions, not only because you will have more fun than at any other summer job while also establishing lifelong friends, but also because it looks fantastic on your CV/resume. There’s no better job than camp for anyone expecting to work in education or coaching, or for anyone whose résumé could use some padding in the areas of leadership, team management, communication skills, and organization.

Here are our five most helpful tips for getting a great summer camp job.

1. Research, research, research.

When applying for summer camp jobs, take the time to select a camp that you’re enthusiastic about; this will make the application process and your summer much easier. For example, if you know you want to coach , you should look for a camp that puts a priority on sports programs. Remember that most summer camps have a variety of roles available, so be sure to express your preferences to the staffing manager.

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, reach out to your top contender with an unique introductory email. A personalized email as opposed to a scripted email will help you stand out right away and will demonstrate to the staffing director that you are personable, excited, and communicative; all of which are attributes that camps look for in staff. In your email, explain briefly why you’re eager to join this particular program. This is an easy approach to demonstrate that you have spent the time and effort to get to know them.

2. Authentically Sell Yourself

You must demonstrate how you will provide value to the camp when submitting your application or participating in a live interview. Concentrate not only on why you believe you would contribute value to the camp, but also on specific examples of times you have exhibited your abilities. When you say, “I’m a great organizer,” the hiring manager is expected to believe you; however, when you outline your skills through accomplishments such as, “I successfully led a small team by creating and meeting deadlines, delegating tasks, and managing a budget,” you demonstrate what you are capable of offering.

Camps value retention, so if you have the capacity and desire to return for multiple summers, let them know! “I am working towards my degree in communications, so if this is a good fit, I would love to return for the next three summers,” displays confidence and vision while also providing a useful competitive edge.

When it comes to camps, many candidates make the mistake of focusing solely on what the camp can provide them. “This will be a great experience for me,” “I haven’t spent so much time outside in forever, I can’t wait to disconnect,” or “I always wanted to go to camp as a kid” may be TRUE – but your enthusiasm for a job does not demonstrate your ability to do the job well or help them understand the value you can bring to the team. Your best chance is to illustrate how you and the camp would collaborate to provide value to the campers.

Summer camps place a premium on relevant experience. While many people believe that working at a camp will be a fun and simple summer, the reality is that you will rarely have to work longer hours or do nearly as much multitasking. Consider moments when you acted as a leader, followed an idea through to completion, and went out of your way to make childcare a priority in your life. As a general rule, remember that camp is all about the campers.

3. Stand Out From The Crowd

Once you’ve established that you’ve covered the fundamentals, it’s time to let your individuality shine! When you have to command the attention of groups of children, your creativity will get you far, and in most cases, the hiring manager is looking for someone who can not only perform the responsibilities of the job, but also someone who can exemplify the values of the camp while fitting into an established community.

Summer camp is a place where kids feel safe being silly and free to be themselves, and a lot of that is because they look up to their counselors. When you show confidence in yourself and a willingness to be silly, play, and talk freely, you make it easy for the recruiting director to recognize the attributes that the campers would see in you.

4. Be Professional

Remember! This is still a job interview. Don’t overlook the standards of professionalism simply because camp is a “fun job.” Prompt communication, meeting deadlines, and using good spelling and language all should be focused on.

Before applying to summer programs, be sure to tidy up your online presence. Make sure you’re okay with potential employers seeing everything on your social media pages. It’s always a smart bet to set your profiles to private because, in the childcare industry, both parents and children will most likely try to look you up. It’s not that you have anything to conceal or are embarrassed about; it’s simply a more professional appearance.

It’s always a good idea to send a quick ‘thank you’ email after an interview. This serves to remind the staffing director of your qualifications while also providing a respectful and professional courtesy.

5. Practice Makes Perfect!

When you are given the opportunity to participate in an interview, you should prepare a few topics to discuss. Remember, if you go into the interview thrilled about the chance but know nothing about the camp’s mission, culture, or programs, you’re unlikely to stand out as a winning applicant. Simply enough, you must be knowledgable about the camp for which you are interviewing.

Another reason to practice, even if only for a few minutes in front of a mirror, is to become aware of your speech’s pitch and tempo. When we are nervous or eager, we tend to speed up and start talking at a mile a minute. Slow down, take a deep breath, and find strategies to soothe your nerves! Speedy talking often leads to rambling, but if you can resist the need to fill the space with chatter, you’ll help to develop trust with the interviewer by exhibiting confidence and allowing them to speak and ask questions as well.

People also have a ‘phone voice’ that is a few pitches higher than their normal speaking voice. Try entering a camp interview with your typical conversational voice. This simple technique may may put you at ease, making the interview feel more like a casual and friendly chat.

Make sure you have a few smart questions prepared in addition to a quick practice session. I’ve never been to an interview where the question “What questions do you have for us?” was not asked. You might get some of your questions answered during the interview, so be sure you have more than just the fundamentals written down. Having questions prepared will demonstrate that you are taking this opportunity seriously and are committed to make the best decision possible.

Ok, are you ready for the best summer of your life?

Apply to Work at Summer Camp

The Camp Counselor Life

November 4, 2022 ASC

Original article by Molly Green.
Posted on October 19, 2022 in The Johns Hopkins News-Letter

Photo courtesy of Molly Green for The Johns Hopkins News-Letter.
Green recounts her experiences as a summer camp counselor and the joy of mentoring young campers.

June 6 was the day my summer truly began. At 6:30 I woke up, put on my bathing suit and sweats and drove to my favorite place: work. My coworkers and I greeted each other in the parking lot, blinking away the mist of the early morning as we started our trek down the hill to the beach.

Coming down the hill, we could see the bin, a big metal box that sits on the sand for the entire summer, filled with camp supplies. When the bin appears, everyone knows that it’s summertime.

To explain: I have the best summer job in the world. The last two summers, I’ve had the privilege of working at California Junior Lifeguards, a summer camp that most kids from Southern California attend at some point during their childhood. The camp helps kids feel comfortable in the water, teaching them ocean safety and the importance of an active, outdoor lifestyle.

That first day of summer, my coworkers and I set up camp for the first time — raising tarps, hammering boundary flags into the sand, stacking surfboards and sand toys — and 30 minutes later, we had built a magical place that would soon be flooded with hundreds of children.

Each morning we would schedule the perfect day as we anxiously awaited the arrival of our campers. Our activities often included runs, games, buoy swims and surf clinics. Sometimes we would take our campers on special excursions to play kickball at a nearby park or to Shell Beach, a marine-protected cove where we could go snorkeling and explore the wildlife.

Although I loved playing games like Nation Ball or Tanks, my favorite parts of being a counselor were the opportunities that I had to connect with my kids — whether that be eating lunch with them and talking about their hobbies, helping to resolve conflict between campers or watching them succeed at something that they previously had been scared to do.

This last thing is something that I got to experience a lot this summer, and it will always be my favorite part of working with kids. While many kids were excited to go in the ocean, each week there was at least one camper who was scared to do the buoy swim.

I’ll admit, the swim is a daunting one — the buoy is placed far past the impact zone where the waves crash, and for someone who has never swum that far before, it can be very scary. We never force the kids to participate, but we always encourage them to do so. I had so many kids face their fears and complete the swim this summer, and it’s always so inspirational to see this happen.

Often the kids ask me to swim to the buoy with them, and some hold onto my arm the entire way there. When we get to the buoy, though, I always make them let go to touch the buoy on their own because even if they swim next to me the whole time, I want them to remember that they accomplished this — nobody else did it for them.

Each day this summer, I woke up excited to go to work for that very reason. Each day I had the opportunity to help my campers achieve their goals, whether those goals be large or small. I helped them gain confidence in themselves and their abilities, I comforted them when they were scared and I congratulated them when they succeeded. There’s no other way I’d rather spend my days.

As we cleaned up camp for the last time, my coworkers and I said goodbye to each other — some of us for the last time. One of my coworkers said she might get a different job next summer, then shook her head.

“I’ve spent the last 13 summers here — as a camper, as an intern and now as a counselor,“ she said. “There’s nowhere else I can even picture spending my summer.”

When she said that, I realized for the first time how much of an impact I was making on my campers. Many of them would attend Junior Lifeguards every year of their childhood, and some, like my coworkers and me, would work here through high school and college.

As she was leaving, one of my two-week campers ran to hug me.

“I have a present for you,” she said and handed me two bracelets that she had made me. “Thank you for being the best counselor ever! These were the best two weeks of my whole summer.”

I almost cried then and there, overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity I had to impact my campers’ lives. With my second summer at camp coming to a close, I realized just how lucky I was to be there.

Molly Green is a sophomore from Orange County, Calif. studying Writing Seminars.

Homesickness at Camp

September 17, 2022 ASC

Missing home and family is completely natural for children. In fact, it can be considered a *good* thing, as it means your kids have a great family back at home! The good thing is, it’s possible to miss home AND have fun at camp in the same time. Plus there are plenty of things to do to help reduce the amount of time your child feels homesick.

Summer camp staff are trained in working with children and helping them to deal with missing their family. It is common that the first letters you receive may indicate some homesickness or sadness. Ninety-five percent of campers experience a short adjustment period during the first few days of camp. Soon, campers get caught up in the excitement of new friends, activities, and camping adventures. Your support of this normal process is critical to your son or daughter’s success.

The good news is, when children arrive at camp with a repertoire of coping strategies and some practice time away from home under their belts, they are ready for those normal feelings of homesickness. Sure, they’ll miss home, but they’ll know exactly what to think and do when it bothers them. Best of all, their counselors and directors will be there to help. Nothing boosts children’s self-esteem quite like overcoming a bout of homesickness and learning how good they are at controlling the amount of fun they have. Camp truly is a classroom for life lessons.

What can YOU do to help with your child’s adjustment to camp?

How can you help your child adjust to being away from home?

Start while your child is still at home and help them be proud of being independent and ready for camp. Review information the camp provides prior to the summer – online videos, camp tours, photos, information packets – and reinforce his excitement/interest about camp.
Please do not tell your child that they can come home or that you will pick them up if they are homesick—it sets them up for failure instead of success.
Practice overnights with family or friends to help first time campers get used to being away.
Letters are important!!! Send upbeat, cheerful letters that focus on the fun your child is having. Two to three letters each week is plenty, since too many letters can actually make a well-adjusted camper homesick.

What should you write about? In your emails to camp, it is best not to dwell too much on what your child is missing at home or how much you miss them, as this can promote homesickness. Sharing news of what everyone is doing is fine, but it is also suggested that you encourage your child to do their best at camp, try new activities, enjoy his trips, etc.

If your child complains of some situation that is upsetting to them, by all means acknowledge that when you write back; then focus on some positive aspect of their personality and tell them that you’re confident they’ll work things out.

Most of all, it is important to communicate with your child prior to the summer so that they know it is completely normal to have feelings of homesickness. The key is for them to remember that they can miss their family and still have a great time at camp!