Activity Specialist Jobs at Summer Camps Across the USA
Activity specialist jobs at summer camps are some of the most versatile and rewarding seasonal roles in the industry. As an activity specialist, you’re the expert behind one of camp’s signature programs — whether that’s sports, arts, theater, climbing, sailing, archery, dance, or anything in between. Sleepaway camps, day camps, and specialty residential camps all rely on activity specialists to deliver high-quality, age-appropriate programming that keeps campers engaged and inspired all summer long.
A typical activity specialist plans daily lessons, leads group sessions across multiple age groups, supports cabin counselors during free time, and mentors junior staff in their area of expertise. Many co-ed camps offer specialist roles alongside cabin counselor responsibilities, while larger overnight camps hire dedicated specialists who focus solely on their program area. If you’re passionate about your craft and love sharing it with kids, this is a perfect way to spend the summer.
What does an activity specialist do at a summer camp?
An activity specialist plans and leads daily sessions in their specific program area — sports, arts, waterfront, ropes, music, or other specialty. You’ll teach skills, ensure safety, manage equipment, and create memorable experiences across multiple age groups throughout the summer camp season.
Do I need certifications to be an activity specialist at a sleepaway camp?
Certifications depend on your activity area. Waterfront specialists need lifeguard and water safety certs; climbing and ropes specialists need facilitator training; archery specialists usually need USA Archery or similar credentials. Most camps will help you obtain or renew certs during staff training.
What’s the difference between an activity specialist and a counselor?
Specialists are program experts who lead specific activity sessions; counselors live in cabins with campers and manage day-to-day care. At many overnight camps, staff are hired as specialist-counselors” who do both — leading their specialty during the day and supporting cabin life at night.
What does pay look like for activity specialists at summer camps?
Compensation for activity specialists is competitive and varies based on experience
Browse Summer Camp Activity Specialist Jobs for 2026
Our extensive activity program at Birchmont is run by an incredible team of coaches, athletes, and artists. Depending on the area, our specialists will either run a program on their own or as part of a team of instructors – helping the campers to learn new skills, have fun and develop their confidence and ability in particular areas. Our specialists also play an important role with their assigned group, assisting as general counselors when not running their own activity area. This role is suited to someone with expertise or experience in a particular activity – previous coaching or teaching experience is preferred, but our Area Heads and Athletic Director are on hand to ‘teach the teachers’, and help talented athletes and specialists develop their own delivery style – so enthusiastic amateurs are welcome also! Current specialty areas which we are recruiting for include: Archery, Arts and Crafts, Baseball/Softball, Basketball, Fitness/Personal Training, Mountain Biking, Games (Physical Education), Performing Arts & Music, High Ropes, Horseback Riding, Tennis, and Soccer. Our Activity Specialists typically will spend about half their day delivering their activity area, and the other half of the day acting as General Counselors, so they get to have the full camp experience, while honing and sharing their skills in a particular program area. These roles are suited to current college students or graduates with a passion for their chosen activity.
Camp Med-o-lark is seeking Basketry/Basket Weaving instructors for our one-of-a-kind arts camp for summer 2025.
Responsibilities include teaching up to 5 one-hour classes per day of approximately 5-10 campers. In our basketry studio, campers learn the weaving techniques necessary to create beautiful custom baskets.. We encourage you to bring your own ideas!
Med-o-lark is a coed residential creative arts camp for ages 8-16 and specializes in visual and fine arts, performing arts, circus, music, culinary, digital media, waterfront, and more! Med-o-lark offers staff benefits including a competitive summer salary, free room and board, laundry, and ample time off. Staff have some evening responsibilities and may live in a cabin with campers. This is a summer job that can be a ton of fun, gives you the opportunity to meet others from all over the world (both counselor and camper), and allows you to teach what you love to do!
No matter what field you ultimately go into, a Med-o-lark summer will always be an asset on your resume. We’re always glad to provide letters of recommendation or reference describing the skills you’ve developed with us. As a Med-o-lark staff member, you will have a positive impact on campers’ summers. They look up to you, learn from your example, and leave camp at the end of summer with new skills and accomplishments because of your influence. It’s an enriching experience helping campers create, grow, achieve, and excel. Apply today!
Camp Med-o-lark is seeking Beading instructors for our one-of-a-kind arts camp for summer 2025.
Responsibilities include teaching up to 5 one-hour classes per day of approximately 5-10 campers. In our expansive beading studio, campers create necklaces of every shape, coin purses, chandelier earrings, broaches, dream catchers, woven bracelets, Fimo beads, and much more. We encourage you to bring your own ideas!
Med-o-lark is a coed residential creative arts camp for ages 8-16 and specializes in visual and fine arts, performing arts, circus, music, culinary, digital media, waterfront, and more! Med-o-lark offers staff benefits including a competitive summer salary, free room and board, laundry, and ample time off. Staff have some evening responsibilities and may live in a cabin with campers. This is a summer job that can be a ton of fun, gives you the opportunity to meet others from all over the world (both counselor and camper), and allows you to teach what you love to do!
No matter what field you ultimately go into, a Med-o-lark summer will always be an asset on your resume. We’re always glad to provide letters of recommendation or reference describing the skills you’ve developed with us. As a Med-o-lark staff member, you will have a positive impact on campers’ summers. They look up to you, learn from your example, and leave camp at the end of summer with new skills and accomplishments because of your influence. It’s an enriching experience helping campers create, grow, achieve, and excel. Apply today!
Camp Med-o-lark is seeking Blacksmithing instructors for our one-of-a-kind arts camp for summer 2025.
Responsibilities include teaching up to 5 one-hour classes per day of approximately 5 campers. Campers typically make hooks, key chains, decorative items, cooking utensils, and sculptures. We encourage you to bring your own ideas!
Med-o-lark is a coed residential creative arts camp for ages 8-16 and specializes in visual and fine arts, performing arts, circus, music, culinary, digital media, waterfront, and more! Med-o-lark offers staff benefits including a competitive summer salary, free room and board, laundry, and ample time off. Staff have some evening responsibilities and may live in a cabin with campers. This is a summer job that can be a ton of fun, gives you the opportunity to meet others from all over the world (both counselor and camper), and allows you to teach what you love to do!
No matter what field you ultimately go into, a Med-o-lark summer will always be an asset on your resume. We’re always glad to provide letters of recommendation or reference describing the skills you’ve developed with us. As a Med-o-lark staff member, you will have a positive impact on campers’ summers. They look up to you, learn from your example, and leave camp at the end of summer with new skills and accomplishments because of your influence. It’s an enriching experience helping campers create, grow, achieve, and excel. Apply today!
Camp Med-o-lark is seeking Ceramics/Pottery instructors for our one-of-a-kind arts camp for summer 2025.
Responsibilities include teaching up to 5 one-hour classes per day of approximately 5-10 campers. Our well-equipped ceramics studio provides campers unlimited creativity. Campers can create sculptures and busts, make tiles, pour molds, and learn how to use our many pottery wheels to take their projects to the next level. You would help guide campers as they learn about clay, glazing, firing, and the production of finished pieces. We encourage you to bring your own ideas!
Med-o-lark is a coed residential creative arts camp for ages 8-16 and specializes in visual and fine arts, performing arts, circus, music, culinary, digital media, waterfront, and more! Med-o-lark offers staff benefits including a competitive summer salary, free room and board, laundry, and ample time off. Staff have some evening responsibilities and may live in a cabin with campers. This is a summer job that can be a ton of fun, gives you the opportunity to meet others from all over the world (both counselor and camper), and allows you to teach what you love to do!
No matter what field you ultimately go into, a Med-o-lark summer will always be an asset on your resume. We’re always glad to provide letters of recommendation or reference describing the skills you’ve developed with us. As a Med-o-lark staff member, you will have a positive impact on campers’ summers. They look up to you, learn from your example, and leave camp at the end of summer with new skills and accomplishments because of your influence. It’s an enriching experience helping campers create, grow, achieve, and excel. Apply today!
Camp Med-o-lark is seeking Enameling instructors for our one-of-a-kind arts camp for summer 2025.
Responsibilities include teaching up to 5 one-hour classes per day of approximately 5 campers. With special kilns housed in the studio, campers use copper or silver bases to apply colored designs and produce pieces that highlight the luminosity, depth, and variety of color rare in such pieces of fine metal. Classes include champlevé, cloisonné, etching, and many other techniques. We encourage you to bring your own ideas!
Med-o-lark is a coed residential creative arts camp for ages 8-16 and specializes in visual and fine arts, performing arts, circus, music, culinary, digital media, waterfront, and more! Med-o-lark offers staff benefits including a competitive summer salary, free room and board, laundry, and ample time off. Staff have some evening responsibilities and may live in a cabin with campers. This is a summer job that can be a ton of fun, gives you the opportunity to meet others from all over the world (both counselor and camper), and allows you to teach what you love to do!
No matter what field you ultimately go into, a Med-o-lark summer will always be an asset on your resume. We’re always glad to provide letters of recommendation or reference describing the skills you’ve developed with us. As a Med-o-lark staff member, you will have a positive impact on campers’ summers. They look up to you, learn from your example, and leave camp at the end of summer with new skills and accomplishments because of your influence. It’s an enriching experience helping campers create, grow, achieve, and excel. Apply today!
Camp Med-o-lark is seeking Culinary Arts instructors for our one-of-a-kind arts camp for summer 2025. Responsibilities include teaching up to 5 one-hour classes per day of approximately 10-15 campers in a variety of classes. Examples include: baking, bread making, international cuisine, knife skills, cooking techniques and much more. We feature a wood-fired oven as well as a few culinary kitchens. There is flexibility and your input in the design, offerings, and menu over the summer. We encourage you to bring your own ideas! We are looking for someone who is either enrolled in a Culinary Program or who has a strong amount of experience working in a restaurant kitchen and with young people. Having an understanding of menu planning and inventory management is a plus.
Med-o-lark is a coed residential creative arts camp for ages 8-16 and specializes in visual and fine arts, performing arts, circus, music, culinary, digital media, waterfront, and more! Med-o-lark offers staff benefits including a competitive summer salary, free room and board, and ample time off. Staff live in a cabin with campers and have some evening responsibilities. Room and board, laundry and a generous time-off schedule is included. This is a summer job that can be a ton of fun, gives you the opportunity to meet others from all over the world (both counselor and camper), and allows you to teach what you love to do!
No matter what field you ultimately go into, a Med-o-lark summer will always be an asset on your resume. We’re always glad to provide letters of recommendation or reference describing the skills you’ve developed with us. As a Med-o-lark staff member, you will have a positive impact on campers’ summers. They look up to you, learn from your example, and leave camp at the end of summer with new skills and accomplishments because of your influence. It’s an enriching experience helping campers create, grow, achieve, and excel. Apply today!
Camp Med-o-lark is seeking fabric and textile artists to work at our one-of-a-kind arts camp for summer 2025. Our fabric and textile arts counselors will explore the creative use of fabric and textiles through embroidery, fashion design, handloom, knitting, sewing, and tie-dye and teach campers construction and alteration techniques with which to manufacture pillows, puppets, garments, accessories, and other projects.
Med-o-lark is a coed residential creative arts camp for ages 8-16 and specializes in visual and fine arts, performing arts, circus, music, culinary, digital media, waterfront, and more! Med-o-lark offers staff benefits including a competitive summer salary, clean, comfortable accommodations, free onsite meals, and ample time off. On your days off, the spectacular Maine coast beckons along with a host of other local cultural offerings. Med-o-lark also maintains a spacious dedicated staff cabin retreat to relax and recharge.
Med-o-lark is a place where staff develops invaluable life skills like leadership, patience, organization, teamwork, and group management. No matter what field you ultimately go into, a Med-o-lark summer will always be an asset on your resume. We’re always glad to provide letters of recommendation or reference describing the skills you’ve developed with us. As a Med-o-lark staff member, you will have a positive impact on campers’ summers. They look up to you, learn from your example, and leave camp at the end of summer with new skills and accomplishments because of your influence. It’s an enriching experience helping campers create, grow, achieve, and excel. Apply today!
Camp Med-o-lark is seeking Hot Glass/Flameworking/Lampworking instructors for our one-of-a-kind arts camp for summer 2025.
Responsibilities include teaching up to 5 one-hour classes per day of approximately 5 campers. Campers use torches to melt colored glass rods. Once melted, campers shape and form the liquefied glass into small sculptures, utensils, and decorative marbles. We encourage you to bring your own ideas!
Med-o-lark is a coed residential creative arts camp for ages 8-16 and specializes in visual and fine arts, performing arts, circus, music, culinary, digital media, waterfront, and more! Med-o-lark offers staff benefits including a competitive summer salary, free room and board, laundry, and ample time off. Staff have some evening responsibilities and may live in a cabin with campers. This is a summer job that can be a ton of fun, gives you the opportunity to meet others from all over the world (both counselor and camper), and allows you to teach what you love to do!
No matter what field you ultimately go into, a Med-o-lark summer will always be an asset on your resume. We’re always glad to provide letters of recommendation or reference describing the skills you’ve developed with us. As a Med-o-lark staff member, you will have a positive impact on campers’ summers. They look up to you, learn from your example, and leave camp at the end of summer with new skills and accomplishments because of your influence. It’s an enriching experience helping campers create, grow, achieve, and excel. Apply today!
Camp Med-o-lark is seeking Leatherworkers to work at our one-of-a-kind arts camp for summer 2025.
Campers in our leather working classes learn to cut, shape, stitch, adorn, and stain their creations in leather. Just some of the items they make include moccasins, pouches, boots, handbags, and belts. We invite you to bring your own ideas!
Med-o-lark is a coed residential creative arts camp for ages 8-16 and specializes in visual and fine arts, performing arts, circus, music, culinary, digital media, waterfront, and more! Med-o-lark offers staff benefits including a competitive summer salary, clean, comfortable accommodations, free onsite meals, and ample time off. On your days off, the spectacular Maine coast beckons along with a host of other local cultural offerings. Med-o-lark also maintains a spacious dedicated staff cabin retreat to relax and recharge.
Med-o-lark is a place where staff develops invaluable life skills like leadership, patience, organization, teamwork, and group management. No matter what field you ultimately go into, a Med-o-lark summer will always be an asset on your resume. We’re always glad to provide letters of recommendation or reference describing the skills you’ve developed with us. As a Med-o-lark staff member, you will have a positive impact on campers’ summers. They look up to you, learn from your example, and leave camp at the end of summer with new skills and accomplishments because of your influence. It’s an enriching experience helping campers create, grow, achieve, and excel. Apply today!
