Summer Camp 2027 Position of Interest: Bunk Counselor
Bunk Counselor Position at Overnight Camps
Bunk counselor positions at summer camps are the cornerstone of the residential camp experience. As a bunk counselor, you live with a group of campers in their cabin, mentor them through daily life at camp, support their growth and well-being, and create the friendships and memories that define summer for so many kids. Whether you’re at a traditional sleepaway camp in the woods of New England or a large co-ed residential camp in the West, bunk counselors are the heart of every operation.
A typical bunk counselor wakes campers up, supports morning routines, walks groups to activities, runs evening cabin time, and ensures campers feel safe, included, and inspired throughout the summer. Many overnight camps pair bunk counseling with an activity specialty during the day, so you’ll teach a program area (sports, arts, waterfront) while also serving as a cabin’s primary caretaker at night. It’s a demanding role — and one of the most meaningful summer positions you can take.
The position is typically a full-summer commitment with on-site housing, meals, and laundry included. Most camps hire bunk counselors aged 18 or older, with many in their early to mid 20s. International staff and college students make up a big portion of bunk counselor teams at residential camps across the country.
If you love working with kids and teens and want to spend the summer in a tight-knit community-driven environment, this is one of the most impactful positions you’ll find anywhere. Apply for bunk counselor positions at summer camps to spend the season mentoring campers, building lifelong friendships, and joining one of the most welcoming professional communities in seasonal work.
A bunk counselor lives in a cabin with a group of campers and mentors them through every part of the day — wake-up, meals, activities, free time, and bedtime. You’ll be the primary point of contact for camper care at the sleepaway camp throughout the summer camp season.
Most sleepaway camps hire bunk counselors aged 18 or older, with many in their late teens and early 20s. College students, recent grads, and international staff make up most counselor teams at residential camps each summer.
Yes, very often. Most overnight camps hire “specialist-counselors” who teach a program area during the day (sports, arts, waterfront) and also live in a cabin as a bunk counselor. This dual role is one of the most common structures at co-ed camps.
Pay is competitive and commensurate with experience and any specialty credentials. Sleepaway camps include room, board, and laundry on top of salary, which adds meaningful value to the overall summer camp package beyond the base figure.
Yes — bunk counselor is one of the most common J-1 visa roles at summer camps. Programs like Camp America, CCUSA, Camp Leaders, and InterExchange place thousands of international counselors at residential camps every summer.
Currently there is nothing available for the position: Bunk Counselor for summer 2027. Please check back later!
