Boating Jobs at Summer Camps Across the USA
Boating jobs at summer camps are perfect for waterfront professionals who love the rhythm of life on the lake. From sailing instruction on a windy bay at a co-ed sleepaway camp to motorboating lessons on calm mornings at a traditional residential camp, boating staff lead one of the most beloved areas of camp life. Whether you specialize in sailing, paddling, motorboating, or rowing, summer camp boating offers a packed schedule of teaching, racing, and adventure.
As a boating instructor at an overnight camp, you’ll teach campers boating fundamentals — knots, rigging, safety protocols, and navigation. You’ll also run skill progressions, organize regattas, and support cross-program activities like waterskiing and tubing. Many sleepaway camps offer multiple types of vessels (Sunfish, Lasers, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, motorboats), giving instructors variety and the chance to broaden their skills across the summer.
What does a boating instructor at summer camp do?You’ll teach boating skills across one or more disciplines — sailing, motorboating, paddling — while managing equipment, leading group sessions, and supporting waterfront safety. Most overnight camps offer skill progressions and regattas throughout the summer camp season.
What certifications do I need for boating jobs at sleepaway camps?Certifications vary by specialty. Sailing instructors often need US Sailing Level 1, while motorboat staff usually need state boater education and safety credentials. Lifeguard and CPR certs are commonly required at every residential camp.
What types of boats do summer camps typically have?Sunfish, Lasers, dinghies, sailboards, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and motorboats are all common at co-ed residential camps. Larger sleepaway camps may also offer crew shells, sailboats, or pontoons.
What does the pay look like for boating jobs at summer camps?Pay is competitive and commensurate with experience and certifications. Overnight camps include room, board, and laundry alongside salary, which significantly enhances the overall summer camp package.
Can international staff work in boating roles at camp?Yes — many sleepaway camps hire international boating staff through J-1 programs like Camp America, CCUSA, and Camp Leaders. Strong sailing or paddling certifications from international governing bodies are usually well recognized at summer camps.
Browse Summer Camp Boating Jobs for 2026
| Salary | Job Type | Setting |
|---|
| USD Starts at $2300/summer | Full-Time Seasonal | Overnight Camp |
Start Date: June 1, 2026
End Date: August 31, 2026
Camp Danbee is currently hiring passionate and skilled instructors to spend their summer instructing our campers in Sailing. You will specialize in this activity, so you must have deep knowledge of the sport. You will arrive early to camp to get additional training on our boats, waterfront procedures, and lifeguarding. 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. 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
