Now is the time for parents to start researching camps for their kids and there are a lot to choose from but it’s also the time of year when students have to start thinking about a summer job and being a camp counselor is a popular one. How many other jobs do you know of that will pay you to play with kids?
Being a camp counselor is a great job as long as you are not too keen on making a lot of money. For the vast majority of counselors I’ve ever known, none have ever said they did it for the money. Flipping burgers over a grill in the summer will make you more money but being a camp counselor, especially one at a residential camp will give you skills and experience that you could never gain by supersizing someone’s order.
As someone who has worked as a counselor and program director, I’ve hired and trained staff for both day camp and residential camps and I’ve seen a lot of young adults apply for jobs. Some have had experience as a camper but other than babysitting, most have never worked at a camp or even with kids and that’s okay. Although experience is great, most camps hire counselors based on the references you have and on your personality.
If you are hired, you will most likely have to attend pre-camp training where you will find out if you are cut out to be a good counselor. You’ll not only learn the rules of the camp but ideally, how to work with the kids. I’ve seen people hired as counselors be reassigned to work in the kitchen and kitchen staff become counselors.
With that in mind, the following is a list of the top 10 skills that I feel you need to be a good camp counselor.
1. You must like kids
This seems like a no-brainer but there is a difference between tolerating and liking kids and If you can’t stand to be around them then there’s no point in being a camp counselor.
They’ll be times when you won’t enjoy being with them or enjoy being around one particular kid for any number of reasons but to be a good councilor, you have to truly like them.
2. Be a good role model
Like it or not, as a camp counselor you will be a role model to the kids.
Younger kids always look up to the older ones so if you act out of line, they will too. If you don’t care, then they won’t either. If you use rude language or make indecent jokes or remarks, the kids will think that it’s okay and do the same.
On the other hand, if you are enthusiastic, polite and cooperative, they will be too. A counselor sets the tone for the group so be conscious of what you say and do.
3. Leadership
You are responsible for the safety and well-being of these kids and you are responsible for them having a good time so you must have control but without making them feel that they are in the army. It’s a skill that takes a little time to develop but once you have it, it will stay with you for life.
The most effective leaders are the ones who can lead without their kids feeling that they are being led. Your job is to motivate them and to keep things moving since you’ll have a schedule to keep but you have to do it without barking orders. If you gain their confidence and respect, they’ll follow you anywhere.
4. Have patience
If you don’t have patience then find another job. You may have a group of kids that will be cooperative, enthusiastic and great to be around but then you’ll have a group where each one wants to do something different or they just doesn’t get along with each other.
Keep in mind that not every kid moves at the same speed and not every kid catches on to what you’re doing or saying right away. Patience is not just a virtue; it will help keep you from doing something you shouldn’t.
5. Communication skills
Being able to communicate with the kids is extremely important if your group is to have fun. You’ll need to be able to communicate with them as a whole and to each individual kid.
Not every kid will be familiar with the routine so don’t assume that they’ll catch on. Calmly explain any rules as well as well as the do’s and donts clearly to all the kids so that you’ll lessen the chances of hearing “I didn’t know.” Explain clearly what the next event or program is and again, don’t bark at them. Use simple terms and explain to them that they can talk to you if they don’t quite understand.
There may be times when you need to talk to a kid privately and that should be away from the others. You may need to discuss their behavior or even something more personal such as their hygiene or bed wetting. When you do speak with them (and not to them), you need to reassure them that there are solutions to the problem and you want to help them. Do not discuss personal matters with the kid in front of the other campers.
You should also try to physically be at eye level when you talk to them. Looking up at you may intimidate them and you don’t want that. If it’s a problem you feel you can’t handle, contact your supervisor. Remember that the kids are at camp to have fun.
6. Problem solving
If you think there won’t be any problems, think again. You’ll experience everything from “he’s sitting too close to me” to “she keeps hitting me when you’re not looking.” Just like the sun rising every morning, you will have problems and you’ll have to deal with them.
Ideally you will be able to find a solution that makes both sides happy and there may be times when you may have to remove a kid altogether especially if there is violence or the threat of violence. Whatever the situation, don’t let it go on without doing something about it. If you don’t, it could escalate into something bigger. If it’s a serious problem, again, have your supervisor help you.
7. Stamina
A day camp program makes for a long day. You need to keep up your enthusiasm and energy at a high level until the end of that long day.
When you have a full week of long days, you’ll most likely realize how much work being a counselor is but keep in mind that you’ll have to do it again the following week so you’ll need to show the same enthusiasm on the following Monday as you did at the beginning of the program.
With most programs, the same schedule and events will take place every session and as much as you may be tired of doing the same thing, the kids coming to your camp haven’t, so you need to be just as excited as you were at the beginning of the summer. So get pumped up and excited because you’re doing it again!
8. Be fair
When you have a handful of kids, it’s easy to pick your favorites. They are usually the most enthusiastic and cooperative. Sometimes a counselor will show favoritism towards a camper because they are cute and sweet but that’s not right. You need to treat all your campers as your favorites, even if a lot of them aren’t.
Every kid deserves to be treated fairly and with respect and every kid should have the same chance to do the same things regardless of their abilities. Every kid should have the opportunity to play quarterback or be the pitcher and even if they are extremely terrible at it, you at least gave them a chance. A good counselor gets everyone involved and everyone a chance.
9. Respect
You may like a kid but you may not respect them and that’s extremely important as a counselor.
The kids are not your buddies back home where you can make fun of them, call them rude names or get rough with them. These are kids and they need to be treated with respect despite their physical appearance, physical and mental abilities and their possessions.
Chances are that you have no idea of where the kids come from, their history, their home life and any problems they may have. Kids don’t come to camp to be bullied, yelled at or made fun of. They come to have fun. Many kids at camps come to get away from their regular life and for many it’s a welcome relief from their home life.
Avoid sarcastic remarks or ridicule even if you think it’s all in fun and never, ever physically abuse them. Again, you don’t know them and even if you do, don’t do it and that includes all other kids and staff as well.
10. Low maintenance
As a day camp counselor be prepared to go without some of the comforts you may enjoy at home. Based on my years at summer camp, here are a few examples:
- Hot showers: You’ll need to get up very, very early if you want a shower and good luck having any hot water. This is camp and not the Holiday Inn.
- Food: Eating your lunch with kids on a hot day. Remember, it’s not a restaurant.
- Rest and Breaks: If you’re dealing with a kid or there’s an emergency, you can’t just go off and take a break. You really are on 24/7.
- Clothing: Your clothes will take an incredible beating at camp. They’ll get wet, filled with sand, dirty, torn and even go missing. If you have nice clothes, leave them at home and as for shoes, you’ll want to burn them at the end of the summer. Trust me.
There are many more skills that will make you a good counselor and many of them will be developed as you work but these are the top ones that I looked for in hiring and evaluating staff.
Not everyone is cut-out to be a camp counselor but if you are okay with sand in your underwear, wet shoes, hot summer days, kids screaming and all for a small pay check, you will have fun and make memories that will last a lifetime.
