Boat driver jobs at summer camps are some of the most coveted waterfront roles in the industry. Whether you’re pulling water skiers behind a Nautique, running tubing sessions, or supporting wakeboarding programs, boat drivers play a central role in delivering the high-energy lake experience that defines so many sleepaway camps. From lakefront residential camps in Maine to traditional co-ed camps in Michigan, qualified boat drivers are in steady demand throughout the summer.
As a boat driver at an overnight camp, you’ll operate inboard or outboard powerboats, drive consistent lines for skiers and wakeboarders, manage tubing rotations, and uphold strict waterfront safety standards. You’ll work closely with the ski director, lifeguards, and waterfront staff to keep activities flowing smoothly all summer long. If you love being on the water, have boat-handling experience, and want to spend the summer at one of the best seats on the lake, this is the role for you.
What does a boat driver do at a summer camp?
A boat driver operates the camp’s powerboats for water skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing sessions, while supporting waterfront safety. You’ll drive consistent ski lines, manage camper rotations, and maintain communication with spotters and lifeguards at the sleepaway camp throughout the summer.
What certifications do boat drivers need at sleepaway camps?
A state boating license or boater education card is typically required. USA Water Ski & Wake Sports driver certifications are highly valued, and CPR/First Aid is generally mandatory. Some overnight camps host certification courses during staff orientation.
What kind of boats do summer camps use?
Most residential camps use inboard ski boats from brands like Nautique, MasterCraft, or Malibu for skiing and wakeboarding. Outboard pontoons or runabouts are common for tubing and general waterfront support. Equipment varies by camp size and water type.
What does the pay look like for boat driver jobs at summer camps?
Pay is competitive and commensurate with experience and certifications. Overnight camps include room, board, and laundry on top of salary, which makes the overall summer camp package significantly more valuable than the base figure alone.
Do boat drivers also teach skiing or wakeboarding?
Sometimes. At many sleepaway camps, boat drivers focus solely on driving while a dedicated ski coach instructs from the boat or shore. At smaller residential camps, the same staffer may drive and teach. Confirm responsibilities in your interview.
Seeking qualified ski boat drivers and instructors!
Being a staff member at Laurel South is far more than a summer job… it’s an unforgettable experience in beautiful surroundings… and a rare opportunity to reach your full potential as you help others reach theirs. Laurel South is a down-to-earth place where you will meet and make friends of all ages – from all over the world – and form bonds that will last a lifetime. Most of all, it’s a place where a family feeling is encouraged and both campers and staff are urged to be themselves.
We are seeking college students and teachers to lead and instruct a wide variety of activities. Our staff are caring and fun individuals who have a desire to make a difference in a child’s life.
Laurel South is among the most well-respected camps in the country. We offer quality instruction designed to allow children to participate in activities they love, while also allowing them to explore new and exciting opportunities.
We are looking for a two-month commitment June 6th – August 11th. We offer room and board for the time you are working at camp. Interested applicants, please send a cover letter detailing your interest in working with children and resume. We look forward to hearing from you!
Come spend your summer on beautiful Lake Ashmere in The Berkshires!
Camp Danbee is currently hiring female and male waterski and wakeboard instructors to spend their summer instructing our campers in Waterski, Wakeboarding and Kneeboarding. We also do tubing for our campers with our four Malibu ski boats. You will specialize in this activity, so you must have extensive knowledge of the sport. We hire 6-8 boat drivers/instructors and 3-4 exclusive instructors. We’re looking for passionate, skilled individuals to be great roles models for our campers!
The Role:
You will serve a dual role as a counselor at Camp Danbee. Those roles include being cabin counselor and program instructor in Waterski. As a cabin counselor, you and one to three other co-counselors will live in a cabin with 10-12 campers, whom you will supervise for the summer. As a program instructor, you will help prepare and lead instructional lessons in your dedicated program area.
Male instructors do not live in cabins with campers, and will have additional duties outside of program instructional time – you’re a valuable part of the camp family!
Working at camp is an opportunity to develop skills that can be used in a career outside of camp. You will enhance your leadership, collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills. Camp Danbee has a large leadership team to learn from, from multiple college Head Coaches to experienced professionals across the education, outdoor recreation, and sports industries.
We will work with your college/university to earn paid internship credits.
The Perks:
Salary starts at $2300 for a Freshman in college and increases from there
Travel allowance in addition to salary
Room, board, and staff t-shirts
Internship credit*
Experience The Berkshires, meet people from all over the US and the world, and have the summer of a lifetime!
*Some educational institutions require prior approval before the start of an internship. It is the responsibility of the student to check with their institution to be sure they meet any requirements before they accept a position
Activity Specialists and Key Staff have the chance to lead and participate in a wide range of activities, including a variety of sports, a waterfront with a pool and lake, a high ropes course and other outdoor activities, many forms of art, sports, and much more! You will make friends from all over the world, spend your days hanging out with kids, and coming up with entertaining events and programs to keep campers excited and engaged.
We are seeking a responsible, enthusiastic, and energetic person who wants to spend their summer acting as a mentor and role model for kids, while teaching and developing skills in traditional camp activities.
You will work, play, and live in a structured outdoor environment as a summer camp activity specialist, emphasizing a sense of fun, family, friendship, and belonging. Safety of campers and the community is always the top priority.
Duties Include:
Ensure campers are safe at ALL times
Participation in staff orientation and training before camp begins
Guiding children through your designated activities and/or sports
Teaching and mentoring of young campers
Conflict resolution
Enforce camp safety practices
Assist with setting up and closing of facilities
Assist with routine maintenance of facilities
Assist with required record keeping
Being a role model for children
Guide children through their summer activities in a positive, fun, and healthy manner
Supervise and lend assistance to campers, with an emphasis on safety
Carrying out duties assigned by supervising staff
Enjoying summer camp!
Activity Specialist Positions include:
Sports and Athletics
Coaching, instruction, team sports, individual sports, fitness
Waterfront, Aquatics
Lifeguards, swim instructors, boat operators, waterskiing and wakeboarding, sailing, fishing
Outdoor Adventure
Hiking, camping, ropes courses, zip-lining, rock climbing
Must be available to work from early-mid June through mid-late August, depending on the camp program hiring
High school diploma
Experience and expertise in preferred activity area/s
A love for children
Flexible attitude with strong skills working in a team
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Ability to problem solve and exercise independent judgement
Friendly, empathetic attitude
First aid- and CPR certifications are a big plus
Must be able to pass a drug and/or background test according to camp policies and local laws
Experience and passion for caring for children and young adults
Benefits and Information
Begins in early-mid June, about a week before camp is in session, and ends when camp ends or just after, usually in mid-late August for a 7-8 week program.
Communal housing
All food and meals provided
Paid days off
Staff only SWAG
Internet access
Laundry facilities
Valuable leadership experience
Networking within large and diverse staff and alumni communities
Camp North Star 200 VERRILL ROAD Poland Spring, Maine04274 United States
Posted 12-08-2023
Camp North Star is hiring for summer ! Camp North Star is a traditional co-ed summer camp with multiple week options, located in southern Maine. Our campers’ ages range from 7 to 17 years old. Being a Camp North Star staff member is the most fun and rewarding summer job there is. As a staff…
