Waterfront jobs at summer camps cover one of the most beloved program areas in the camp world. From traditional sleepaway camps with quiet lakes and morning swim periods to large co-ed residential camps running multi-station waterfronts with swim, sail, paddle, and wake sports, waterfront staff power the heartbeat of every summer at camp. If you love spending the day on or near the water, this is one of the most rewarding seasonal jobs you can find.
As a waterfront staffer at an overnight camp, you’ll teach swim, lifeguard, run watersports activities, and support general waterfront operations. You’ll often partner with sailing, paddling, and motorized waterfront staff under unified waterfront leadership. Many co-ed residential camps treat the waterfront as the center of camp life, with multiple specialist tracks rolling up to a director throughout the summer camp season.
What does a waterfront staffer do at a summer camp?
You’ll teach swim, lifeguard, run watersports, and support broader waterfront operations. Most sleepaway camps run multi-station waterfronts with rotating staff throughout the summer camp season.
What certifications do waterfront staff need at sleepaway camps?
Current ARC Lifeguard with waterfront or deep water endorsements, WSI, and CPR/AED/First Aid are standard. Sport-specific certifications (US Sailing, ACA, USA Water Ski) are bonuses at residential camps.
Are waterfront roles full-summer hires?
Most are full-season roles of 7–10 weeks including staff training. Some specialty waterfront residential camps offer session-based contracts. Always confirm dates in your interview at the sleepaway camp.
What does the pay look like for waterfront jobs at summer camps?
Pay is competitive and commensurate with experience and certifications. Overnight camps include room, board, and laundry alongside salary, which adds meaningful value to the overall summer camp package beyond the base figure.
Can international staff work in waterfront roles?
Yes — many residential camps hire international waterfront staff through J-1 programs like Camp America, CCUSA, and Camp Leaders. International lifeguarding and sport certifications are often accepted at sleepaway camps.
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.
Our sailing program includes over 15 beautiful Sunfish, Hobie Cat’s, and more!
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 7th – 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!
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
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
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
Our Waterfront program is a core element of the Birchmont experience, with our campers taking part in activities both on and in our beautiful, private lake twice a day. Our waterfront team is led by two Directors with over 80 years of combined experience in leadership at Birchmont – and under their guidance our team of 18 lifeguards deliver a varied and engaging program of instructional swim and watersports, including waterskiing, wakeboarding, sailing, tubing, kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. All of our lifeguards will be supported through their New Hampshire Boat License test, and will have opportunities to lead and instruct across our activity areas. Experience and confidence with open-water swimming, lifeguarding and at least one of our extended activity areas is preferred. When not at the waterfront, our lifeguards also serve as General Counselors with their assigned group.
Timber Lake West 76 Timber Lake Road Roscoe, New York12776 United States
Posted 02-08-2023
Timber Lake West is hiring for summer ! Timber Lake West takes the responsibility of coaching and caring for children seriously. When you work at Timber Lake West, you join a team of top-tier summer camp counselors and specialty staff who are fully committed to creating an exceptional camp experience. We are dedicated to being…
