Working as a camp counselor is a great career opportunity for young people who love leisure and sports and want to spend their vacation doing something different. These camps allow counselors to enjoy new experiences alongside other young people while earning a salary and spending a few weeks enjoying leisure time and outdoor activities. At Ertheo, we’re going to give you some guidelines so you’ll know exactly how to become a camp counselor.
What requirements must you meet to work as a camp counselor?
To work at summer camps—whether sports-oriented or not—you must meet a set of minimum requirements. For example, you need to have completed a course in recreational instruction, leisure coordination, or similar training, though each camp has specific requirements tailored to its philosophy.
Many associations and public agencies offer these courses, which typically last about 250–300 hours. They provide young people with both theoretical and practical training on topics ranging from camp regulations to learning dances and games, as well as first aid classes.
To enroll in these courses, you must be at least 17 years old and have completed at least the ESO diploma or its equivalent. Additionally, if the camps are held abroad, use English as the primary language, or are aimed at foreign children, you’ll also need a good level of English—in most cases, B1 or higher—so that the camp counselor can communicate smoothly with all the children.
If you also have good references, recruiters will pay closer attention to you, since in a job that involves working with children, companies look for trustworthy people.
What are the key qualities a summer camp counselor should have?
Aside from all these requirements, to be a camp counselor you need to be open-minded and tolerant, as well as outgoing, cheerful, and motivated.
Responsibility, understanding, and flexibility are also very important; the person must be able to adapt to all kinds of setbacks and problems that may arise in daily life. And, of course, you must enjoy your work and let yourself be inspired by the spirit and passion that the children bring to each and every activity they do, always fostering positive social values.
What duties does a camp counselor perform?
Although the duties of counselors depend largely on the camp, in most cases there are two different types of counselors with specific roles:
- General counselors are in charge of the schedule, timetables, and the children’s safety, ensuring that the children have everything they need during their stay at camp. They care for, supervise, and are responsible for both the children’s well-being and most of the recreational and leisure activities that take place. They plan daily routines and meals and accompany the children on excursions and visits, ensuring their safety day and night.
- Additionally, sports camps also have specialized counselors, who are responsible for coaching and teaching the basic rules of the sport practiced at the camp, always working alongside higher-level coaches. To qualify for these positions, one must be proficient in the sport and hold a certificate or degree that attests to that level of skill.
In both cases, regardless of whether one is a general or specialized counselor, the most important thing for a professional in this field is to facilitate communication among the children and promote their integration and participation in all activities held at the camp, fostering a positive social environment and prosocial values, as well as ensuring that every child enjoys the camp
