Counselor jobs at summer camps are the heart of the camp experience. From traditional sleepaway camps in the woods of New England to large co-ed residential camps in the West, counselors are the trusted mentors who guide campers through every moment of the day. Whether you’re a college student looking for meaningful summer work, an international applicant joining a J-1 program, or a returning camp veteran, counselor roles offer unmatched personal growth, community, and impact.
As a counselor at an overnight camp, you’ll live in a cabin with campers, support their daily routines, lead or assist with activities, mentor through challenges, and create the friendships and traditions that make camp unforgettable. Many residential camps hire counselors who also teach activity specialties — sports, arts, waterfront — so you’ll wear multiple hats throughout the summer. It’s hard, joyful, demanding work that changes the lives of campers and counselors alike.
What does a counselor at summer camp do?
A counselor lives with campers, supports their daily routines, leads or assists with activities, and mentors through every part of the day. You’ll be the most trusted adult presence in your campers’ summer camp experience at the sleepaway camp.
What’s the typical age range for counselors at sleepaway camps?
Most camps hire counselors aged 18 and up, with many in their late teens and early 20s. College students, recent grads, and international staff make up the majority of counselor teams at residential camps across the country.
Can international applicants work as counselors at summer camps?
Yes — counselor is the most common J-1 visa role at summer camps. Programs like Camp America, CCUSA, Camp Leaders, and InterExchange place thousands of international counselors at sleepaway camps every summer.
What does the pay look like for counselor jobs at summer camps?
Pay is competitive and commensurate with experience and any specialty credentials. Overnight camps include room, board, and laundry on top of salary, which adds significant value to the overall summer camp package beyond the base figure.
Do counselors get time off during the summer?
Yes. Most sleepaway camps give counselors at least one full day off per week plus shorter breaks throughout the day. Camps with longer sessions often build in mid-summer breaks of 24–48 hours so staff can recharge.
Do you have a passion for tennis and working with kids? Are you interested in spending your summer in beautiful Vermont, working with our campers and sharing that passion? Camp Lochearn for Girls is a residential summer camp located in Post Mills, Vermont (20 minutes from Dartmouth College) and we are currently hiring activity instructors & cabin counselors for the summer of 2026.
Camp Lochearn is looking for Tennis Instructors to join us in assisting the planning and delivery of our tennis program in ways that are safe, fun, and appropriate to the campers’ ages and abilities. In this position, you will be living in a cabin of girls providing support and guidance, and teaching one or more activities in which you have an interest. Help us foster and grow passions for athletics and personal fitness in our amazing campers and help build a respect for the sports through imparting your knowledge on eager campers.
If you are interested in a position at Camp Lochearn please click on the link below to fill out our staff interest form. Competitive salary based on experience and background.
*Candidates should be 18 years or older and available to work at Camp between 6/14 and 8/18.
Do you have a passion for the water and working with kids? Are you interested in spending your summer in beautiful Vermont, working with our campers and sharing that passion? Camp Lochearn for Girls is a residential summer camp located in Post Mills, Vermont (20 minutes from Dartmouth College) and we are currently hiring activity instructors & cabin counselors for the summer of 2026.
Our swimming instructors and lifeguards work with girls ages 7-15 to help share a love of the water and ensure safety on the waterfront. Located on beautiful Lake Fairlee, Camp Lochearn offers Swimming (beginner and competitive), Water Zumba, Canoeing/Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Diving, Sailing, and more. Training/Certification will be provided to our lifeguard counselors during Orientation. Competitive salary based on experience and background.
*Candidates should be 18 years or older and available to work at Camp between 6/14 and 8/18.
Do you have a passion for sailing and working with kids? Are you interested in spending your summer in beautiful Vermont, working with our campers and sharing that passion? Camp Lochearn for Girls is a residential summer camp located in Post Mills, Vermont (20 minutes from Dartmouth College) and we are currently hiring activity instructors & cabin counselors for the summer of 2026.
Camp Lochearn is looking for an experienced Sailing Instructor to join us in assisting the planning and delivery of our sailing program in ways that are safe, fun, and appropriate to the campers’ ages and abilities. In this position, you will be living in a cabin of girls providing support and guidance, and teaching one or more activities in which you have an interest. Help us foster and grow passions for athletics and personal fitness in our amazing campers and help build a respect for the sports through imparting your knowledge on eager campers.
Competitive salary based on experience and background. *Candidates should be 18 years or older and available to work at Camp between 6/14 and 8/18.
Come be a part of our camp family! We are looking for responsible, fun and caring staff to become wonderful role models for our campers, 7-15 years old. Our counselors/activity specialists live in the cabin with approx. 10 campers as well as 2-3 co-counselors.
Our Staff Orientation helps to prepare everyone for camp life – the who, what, where, when and how, as well as tips and tricks to a successful camp summer!
Our Activity Specialists lead and participate in a wide range of activities in our four core areas: Waterfront, Adventure, Arts, and Athletics.
Lacrosse coach/instructor for children’s overnight summer camp in Kent, CT.
Teaching the basic skills, techniques and game play for male/female campers ages 7-15
As an athletics specialists, you will teach and coach campers while also living in a cabin with campers and other staff members. You will have responsibility to supervise the children in the cabin, when not working in your area. As KenMont and KenWood is a brother/sister camp, the activities are done by single-gender, and not co-ed.
Staff must live on campgrounds for the duration of their contract.
Qualifications
Previous coaching/team experience preferred. Looking for staff who are passionate about their sport, and who want to pass on their enthusiasm for it to others.
Benefits
Room and board. All housing and meals provided for duration of contract. On designated time off, staff can enjoy all of the activities that camp has to offer! • *Some other positions may be available – please visit us at: https://www.kenmontkenwood.com/work-at-camp/ for more info
Come spend your summer on beautiful Lake Ashmere in The Berkshires!Camp Danbee is currently hiring outdoor adventure and ropes instructors to spend their summer instructing our campers in Climbing Wall, High Ropes, Low Ropes, Outdoor Adventure and more. You will specialize in this activity, so you must have extensive knowledge of the area, however you work as a team! 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
Soccer, Basketball, Softball, Lacrosse, Field Hockey, Fitness, Come spend the Summer of a Lifetime in The Berkshires!
Camp Danbee is currently hiring passionate, skilled individuals to be great roles models for our campers! Our camp counselors spend their summer in various roles at camp, instructing our campers in everything from athletics, waterfront, outdoor adventure, creative arts and more!
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
WORK WITH AN INDUSTRY LEADER: Camp Chipinaw was founded in 1926, while Silver Lake was established in 2004 to offer a half summer option to our families. Both Camp Chipinaw and Silver Lake were once again named one of the Top 50 Summer Camps in the US. We pride ourselves on hiring exceptional staff from not only the states but all around the world. With over 400 staff members, from over 20 different countries, you will be able to set up a professional network unlike anywhere else.
JOB DESCRIPTION: Are you ready to make a lifelong impact on campers’ lives, while gaining real world experience? We take great pride in providing an unbelievable summer for hundreds of campers every year. With over 60 different activities at camp, we are looking to hire highly skilled individuals to be teachers and coaches in those areas. Each specialist will work in their area 5 hours a day, teaching campers ranging in ages 8-15. Specialist will make lesson plans, create fun drills and games, practice schedules, and anything else to keep their program innovative and fresh. As a sports specialist you will also get the opportunity to coach teams and referee/umpire games. The rest of the day is spent as a bunk counselor, watching over and building relationships with your campers.
We are also searching for area directors who will oversee a program and live in private staff housing. Salary range will be different than a specialist
SALARY & BENEFITS: $2,400- $3,200 + Room & Board, Meals, and a Travel Stipend
EXPERIENCE YOU WILL GAIN: * Real world life experiences * Problem solving techniques * Inter and Intra-personal skills * Leadership skills
We conduct a weeklong orientation to prepare you for your role. When not teaching lessons, you will get to experience being a bunk counselor. Each bunk will have 7-10 campers and 2-3 staff members. Your responsibilities include watching over and being a big brother/sister figure to your your campers, while most importantly playing camp and having fun with them every day!
WORK WITH AN INDUSTRY LEADER: Camp Chipinaw was founded in 1926, while Silver Lake was established in 2004 to offer a half summer option to our families. Both Camp Chipinaw and Silver Lake were once again named one of the Top 50 Summer Camps in the US. We pride ourselves on hiring exceptional staff from not only the states but all around the world. With over 400 staff members, from over 20 different countries, you will be able to set up a professional network unlike anywhere else.
JOB DESCRIPTION: Are you ready to make a lifelong impact on campers’ lives, while gaining real world experience? We take great pride in providing an unbelievable summer for hundreds of campers every year. With over 60 different activities at camp, we are looking to hire highly skilled individuals to be teachers and coaches in those areas. Each specialist will work in their area 5 hours a day, teaching campers ranging in ages 8-15. Specialist will make lesson plans, create fun drills and games, practice schedules, and anything else to keep their program innovative and fresh. As a sports specialist you will also get the opportunity to coach teams and referee/umpire games. The rest of the day is spent as a bunk counselor, watching over and building relationships with your campers.
We are also searching for area directors who will oversee a program and live in private staff housing. Salary range will be different than a specialist
SALARY & BENEFITS: $2,400- $3,200 + Room & Board, Meals, and a Travel Stipend
EXPERIENCE YOU WILL GAIN: * Real world life experiences * Problem solving techniques * Inter and Intra-personal skills * Leadership skills
We conduct a weeklong orientation to prepare you for your role. When not teaching lessons, you will get to experience being a bunk counselor. Each bunk will have 7-10 campers and 2-3 staff members. Your responsibilities include watching over and being a big brother/sister figure to your your campers, while most importantly playing camp and having fun with them every day!
WORK WITH AN INDUSTRY LEADER: Camp Chipinaw was founded in 1926, while Silver Lake was established in 2004 to offer a half summer option to our families. Both Camp Chipinaw and Silver Lake were once again named one of the Top 50 Summer Camps in the US. We pride ourselves on hiring exceptional staff from not only the states but all around the world. With over 400 staff members, from over 20 different countries, you will be able to set up a professional network unlike anywhere else.
JOB DESCRIPTION: Are you ready to make a lifelong impact on campers’ lives, while gaining real world experience? We take great pride in providing an unbelievable summer for hundreds of campers every year. With over 60 different activities at camp, we are looking to hire highly skilled individuals to be teachers and coaches in those areas. Each specialist will work in their area 5 hours a day, teaching campers ranging in ages 8-15. Specialist will make lesson plans, create fun drills and games, practice schedules, and anything else to keep their program innovative and fresh. As a sports specialist you will also get the opportunity to coach teams and referee/umpire games. The rest of the day is spent as a bunk counselor, watching over and building relationships with your campers.
We are also searching for area directors who will oversee a program and live in private staff housing. Salary range will be different than a specialist
SALARY & BENEFITS: $2,400- $3,200 + Room & Board, Meals, and a Travel Stipend
EXPERIENCE YOU WILL GAIN: * Real world life experiences * Problem solving techniques * Inter and Intra-personal skills * Leadership skills
We conduct a weeklong orientation to prepare you for your role. When not teaching lessons, you will get to experience being a bunk counselor. Each bunk will have 7-10 campers and 2-3 staff members. Your responsibilities include watching over and being a big brother/sister figure to your your campers, while most importantly playing camp and having fun with them every day!
