Candlemaking Jobs at Summer Camps Across the USA
Candlemaking jobs at summer camps are a wonderfully creative niche role that brings a calm, sensory craft to the daily program lineup. Whether you’re pouring soy candles at a traditional sleepaway camp or running custom scent workshops at a specialty arts-focused residential program, candlemaking instructors offer campers an engaging mix of chemistry, design, and creativity. It’s also one of the most popular take-home craft projects of the summer.
As a candlemaking instructor at an overnight camp, you’ll guide campers through the entire process — choosing wax, selecting scents, blending dyes, prepping wicks, and pouring safely. You’ll teach the basics of melt points, fragrance loads, and curing while helping campers personalize their creations. Many co-ed and arts-focused camps blend candlemaking into broader crafts or sustainability programs, giving instructors flexibility to grow the curriculum throughout the summer.
What does a candlemaking instructor at summer camp do?You’ll guide campers through the candlemaking process — wax melting, fragrance blending, wick placement, and pouring — while managing safety and supplies. Most overnight camps run candlemaking as a rotating elective throughout the summer camp season.
Do I need professional experience to teach candlemaking at camp?Professional experience helps but isn’t required. Hobbyist makers, chandlers, and craft enthusiasts with strong teaching instincts thrive in these roles at sleepaway camps. Comfort working with kids and an eye for safety matter most.
What kinds of candles do summer camps typically make?Soy container candles, beeswax tapers, layered candles, and seasonal scented blends are all common. Some specialty arts-focused residential camps also run advanced workshops on hand-dipped tapers, sculpted candles, and natural-dye projects.
What does the pay look like for candlemaking jobs at camp?Pay is competitive and commensurate with experience. Overnight and residential camps include room, board, and laundry alongside salary, which adds significant value to the overall summer camp package.
Is candlemaking usually combined with other crafts?Often yes. Many sleepaway camps blend candlemaking with soapmaking, jewelry, or general arts and crafts programming. Multi-discipline craft instructors are especially valuable to co-ed residential camps building rich creative arts schedules.
Browse Summer Camp Candlemaking Jobs for 2026
| Job Type | Setting |
|---|
| Full-Time Seasonal | Overnight Camp |
Start Date: June 1, 2026
End Date: August 31, 2026
Camp Med-o-lark is seeking Candle Making/Wax 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 5-10 campers. In our Wax House (built in 1795), campers create various candle types, including ribbon candles, sand candles, and sculpted candles. 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!
