Camp counselor pay for sleepaway (overnight) roles varies by camp, position, and experience level, but typically falls in the range of $250 to $500+ per week for a seasonal position — commonly $1,500 to $3,500+ for a full 7-10 week summer season — once you factor in the complete compensation package. That range reflects far…
Summer Camp Resource Center
Camp Arts and Media Counselor Jobs
Not every camp job is about being outside all day. Arts and media roles, from theater tech to photography to music, are real specialty positions at most camps, and camps have specifically flagged this as an area where they need more strong male applicants, right alongside sports and waterfront. What the job actually involves Arts…
Outdoor Adventure Counselor Jobs at Summer Camp
Outdoor adventure is one of the fastest-growing areas at camp, and one of the few roles where the split between male and female applicants is close to even, which still leaves camps short of the outdoorsy, hands-on staff they actually need. If you’ve spent real time outside, this may be the most natural fit on…
How to Become a Camp Lifeguard or Waterfront Counselor
Lifeguards are one of the hardest positions for camps, pools, and waterfronts everywhere to fill, not just at camp. If you’re already certified, or willing to get certified before summer, a camp waterfront job is one of the fastest paths to a job offer of any role on this list. What the job actually involves…
How to Become a Camp Coach or Sports Instructor
Camp coaching and sports instructor jobs are some of the most requested roles by camps every season, and they’re consistently short on strong applicants. If you played a sport in high school or college, coached at any level, or you’re studying kinesiology, PE, or sports management, this is likely the fastest, most natural way into…
Best Summer Jobs for College Guys: Every Role, One Guide
If you’re a guy in college looking for a summer job that isn’t a desk internship or another shift at the same restaurant you worked in high school, camp is worth a real look. Camps across the country hire for coaching and sports, waterfront and lifeguarding, outdoor adventure, and arts and media roles, and they’re…
What Are the Best Stables and Horseback Riding Camps?
The best horseback riding camps combine certified instruction (look for programs following USEF, CHA, or similar certification standards), well-maintained stables with a healthy horse-to-rider ratio, and a range of riding styles — English, Western, and jumping — so your child can find the discipline that fits them. Some camps are dedicated entirely to riding, while…
Are There Summer Camps for Adults, and What Are the Best Options?
Yes — adult summer camps are real, and they’ve become a popular weekend-getaway trend built around nostalgic, all-inclusive camp activities like archery, lake sports, bonfires, and themed parties, typically for guests 21 and up. Most run as short 2-4 day sessions rather than a full summer, and are designed to recreate the unplugged, playful feeling…
What Do Kids Learn at Summer Camp? 7 Lessons That Last Beyond Summer
What do kids learn at summer camp? Camp helps children build independence, confidence, resilience, communication skills, friendships, teamwork, and decision-making. Research highlighted by the Harvard Graduate School of Education shows that camp can be an especially valuable environment for social-emotional learning because children practice these skills naturally every day. Summer camp may feel like a…
Sending Your Child to Camp in the USA: A Guide for International Families
Yes, international families can send their child to a summer camp in the United States, and many American camps actively welcome campers from abroad, offering dedicated support for travel logistics, communication across time zones, and helping international campers settle into camp life. The process involves a few extra steps beyond enrolling a domestic camper —…
What Are the Best Co-Ed Summer Camps in the U.S.?
Co-ed summer camps bring boys and girls together for shared activities, dining, and community events, while typically maintaining separate cabins or living areas by gender. The format gives kids a more socially realistic camp experience — closer to the mixed-gender environments of school and everyday life — and is a strong fit for families who…
Qualifications and Requirements for Landing a Summer Camp Job in 2027
Wondering whether you qualify for a summer camp job in 2027? Most summer camps look for applicants who are at least 18 years old, enjoy working with children, can commit to the full camp season, and are ready to complete training and background checks. Some roles may also require specific skills, certifications, or work authorization,…
Best Summer Camp Jobs in Maine (2027 Guide)
You can find a great summer camp job in Maine at Camp Laurel, Camp North Star, and Camp Laurel South. Whether you’re a college student, gap year traveler, or just looking for a rewarding summer experience, working at camp in Maine is a chance to grow, connect, and make a real impact. Why Work at…
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Summer Camp Counselor Job (2027 Season)
🌲 Why Working at Camp Is the Ultimate Summer Job If you’re looking for a summer that’s more than just work — one filled with adventure, new friends, and unforgettable experiences — becoming a summer camp counselor is the way to go. Every year, camps across the U.S. hire thousands of college students, recent grads,…
Work as a Summer Camp Nurse in 2027
Summer camp offers RNs, LPNs, and nursing students a unique break from traditional healthcare settings—combining hands-on care, autonomy, and a slower pace with meaningful impact. With accommodation included and a strong work-life balance, accepting a summer camp nurse job is a refreshing and rewarding alternative to hospital shifts. If you’re an RN, LPN, or nursing…
Seven of The Best Summer Camps To Work At In 2027
Some of the best summer camps to work at in 2027 include Camp Laurel, Camps Equinunk and Blue Ridge, Camp Birchmont, Camp Weequahic, Brant Lake Camp, Camp Robin Hood, and Island Lake Camp. Each offers a unique and exciting experience for staff Embark on an exhilarating journey this summer by joining the ranks of the…
How Much Does Summer Camp Cost? A Parent’s Guide to Budgeting and Financial Aid
Summer camp typically costs anywhere from $200 to $600 per week for day camp and $800 to $2,000 or more per week for overnight (sleepaway) camp, depending on the camp’s location, length of session, activities offered, and level of accreditation. That’s a wide range, and for good reason — camp pricing reflects real differences in…
The Best New York Summer Camps to Work at in 2027
Some of the best New York summer camps to work at are Brant Lake Camp, Timber Lake Camp, Camp Chipinaw & Silver Lake, and Timber Lake West. These camps offer more than just a job — they give you leadership experience, lifelong friendships, and the chance to live and work in an unforgettable setting. Spending…
What Are the Best Team-Building Activities for Summer Camp?
The best team-building activities for summer camp combine simple rules, physical or creative challenge, and a shared goal that campers can only reach by working together. Games like the Human Knot, sponge relays, and group scavenger hunts are camp staples because they build communication and trust fast, work for almost any age group, and are…
The Best Summer Camps To Work At In 2027
The best summer camps to work at in the USA include Camp Robin Hood, Brant Lake Camp, Camp Birchmont, Camp Weequahic, Camps Equinunk and Blue Ridge, and Island Lake Camp. Each offers a different experience—from traditional camp culture and strong community to outdoor adventure, sports, or creative programming. Choosing the best summer camp to work…
Your Camp Changed. Your Summer Doesn’t Have To.
Need a New Summer Camp for 2027? Start Here. If your family’s camp closed unexpectedly, changed ownership, or left you unsure what next summer even looks like — you’re not the only one dealing with this right now. It’s been a hard year for a number of camp families, and if you’re feeling caught off…
Day Camp vs. Overnight Camp: What’s the Difference, and Which Is Right for Your Child?
The biggest difference between day camp and overnight camp is that day campers go home every evening while overnight (sleepaway) campers live at camp for anywhere from one week to a full summer. Beyond that basic schedule difference, day camp and overnight camp differ meaningfully in cost, the kind of independence a child builds, the…
Summer 2027 Jobs for Nursing Students
Working at a summer camp is one of the best summer jobs for nursing students, offering hands-on clinical experience, real responsibility, and the chance to work closely with children in a supportive environment. With accommodation included, strong resume value, and a unique lifestyle, it’s a practical and rewarding alternative to traditional healthcare roles. If you’re…
What Are Some Top-Rated Art Summer Camps for Kids?
The best art summer camps for kids pair dedicated, medium-specific facilities (a real dance studio, black-box theater, or ceramics studio, not just a shared multipurpose room) with a low instructor-to-camper ratio and a culture that treats creative risk-taking as the point, not a distraction from “real” camp activities. Whether your child is drawn to painting,…
How Do You Make Awesome Friendship Bracelets?
To make a friendship bracelet, cut 3–6 strands of embroidery floss to about 36 inches each, tape or pin them to a flat surface, and knot them together in a repeating pattern using simple forward and backward knots. Once you know the basic knots, you can create dozens of different patterns, from simple stripes to…
How Do Summer Camps Handle Food, Nutrition, and Allergies?
Summer camps handle food and nutrition by working with on-site dining staff or nutritionists to serve balanced meals, accommodate common allergies like nuts, dairy, soy, gluten, and shellfish, and offer alternatives for picky eaters — while increasingly paying closer attention to ingredient quality, including artificial food dyes and the types of cooking oil used in…
Are Summer Camp Jobs a Good Fit for Teachers?
Yes, summer camp jobs are one of the best-fitting summer opportunities for teachers: the schedule lines up with the school break, the work draws on the same classroom management and mentoring skills teachers already have, and camps actively recruit teachers for leadership roles like head counselor, program director, and division head because of that overlapping…
Some of the Best All-Girls Sleepaway Camps in the U.S.
All-girls sleepaway camps give girls the opportunity to build confidence, independence, friendships, and lifelong memories in a supportive overnight environment focused on adventure, creativity, leadership, and personal growth. For many families, an all-girls sleepaway camp offers a unique summer experience. It’s a place where girls can step outside their everyday routines, explore new interests, develop…
Some of the Best All-Boys Sleepaway Camps in the U.S.
All-boys sleepaway camps give boys the chance to build confidence, independence, friendships, and lifelong memories in a supportive overnight camp environment designed around adventure, mentorship, and personal growth. For many families, all-boys sleepaway camps offer the perfect mix of adventure, structure, friendship, and independence. Away from school routines, screens, and everyday distractions, boys have the…
Do Summer Camps Get Bed Bugs, and How Do They Prevent Them?
Bed bugs can turn up anywhere people and luggage move in and out of shared spaces, including summer camps — but well-run, ACA-accredited camps follow routine inspection, mattress protection, and luggage-screening protocols specifically to catch and stop them early. A single case doesn’t mean a camp is unsanitary; how quickly and transparently a camp responds…
What Is the American Camp Association? A Parent and Staff Guide to ACA-Accredited Camps
The American Camp Association, often called the ACA, is a leading national organization for summer camps and youth development. For families and staff, ACA accreditation is one of the clearest signs that a camp has voluntarily committed to recognized standards for health, safety, risk management, and responsible camp operations. Choosing a summer camp is a…
How Do I Choose the Right Camp for My Child?
To choose the right camp for your child, start with their personality and readiness (not the flashiest program), then work through five factors in order: day vs. overnight, program type, safety and staff quality, cost and logistics, and your own gut check after talking to the camp directly. Camps that look great on paper aren’t…
What Are Good Camps for First-Time Campers?
Good camps for first-time campers offer shorter introductory sessions, smaller cabin groups, structured onboarding for new campers, and staff experienced in helping kids adjust to their first time away from home. The camp itself matters less than whether it’s set up specifically to ease a first-timer in — look for “rookie,” “mini,” or one-week starter…
How Do Camps Handle Homesickness or Mental Health?
Well-run camps handle homesickness through trained counselors, structured routines, and proactive check-ins in the first few days, and handle broader mental health needs by working with an on-site health team, keeping communication open with parents, and having a clear plan for when additional support is needed. Most homesickness is mild and temporary; camps that take…
What Should I Consider When Choosing a Sports Camp or Academy for My Child?
When choosing a sports camp or academy, prioritize coaching quality and staff-to-athlete ratios, how the program balances serious training with the traditional camp experience, safety and risk management for the specific sport, and whether the intensity level actually matches your child’s goals. A high-performance training environment isn’t automatically the right choice — the best sports…
Academy Camps: A Sports-Focused Sleepaway Camp for Young Athletes
Academy Camps is a co-ed sports sleepaway camp in Connecticut for ages 10–16, combining focused athletic training (with two daily sessions in a chosen sport) and performance coaching with the fun and friendships of traditional camp. With a tech-free environment, flexible one-week sessions, and unique Bridge Weekends, it’s designed for young athletes who want to…
