Want to Work on the Waterfront?

All lifeguards will require a current Lifeguard qualification (American Red Cross or NPLQ) and ideally have previous experience working as a Lifeguard.

Some camps, if they see you already have strong water-based skills such as swimming, will provide this training for you. You can also complete an ARC training course directly with us too if you want to complete the qualification before taking this role at camp.

As a lifeguard, you may be eligible to become an Advanced Skills Counselor and receive a higher rate of pocket money.

You can teach the following water sports at camp:

• Boating
• Canoeing
• Fishing
• Jet-Skiing
• Kayaking
• Paddle Boarding
• Sailing
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Tubing
• Wakeboarding
• Water-Skiing
• Whitewater Rafting

Any experience or qualifications in instructing any water sports will be very beneficial to work in those areas, especially as safety in the water is so important. For example, a BCU Level 2 (or above) coaching award in Canoeing or Kayaking or an ASA Level 1 or 2 if you'd like to specialise in teaching Swimming.

It goes without saying, whatever water sport you’re specialising in (and especially as a lifeguard) you’re going to need to be able to swim with some proficiency.

Even though you’re an activity specialist, you’ll still likely have counselor duties when you’re not teaching or taking your time off. Any childcare experience can be great to include in your application. As a counselor your duties will include waking campers up in the mornings, joining in with mealtimes and evening activities and then making sure they go to bed at night. You’ll be keeping them organised and safe, making sure they listen to instructions (and follow them…) and also serving as a key source of fun and entertainment throughout the day!

As well as finding talented individuals who can help campers to improve in certain water sports and stay safe in the water, Camp Directors are looking for waterfront staff who can make sure their campers enjoy the best summer ever.

By approaching every day and every activity with enthusiasm and fun, you’ll make sure your campers feel the same way too. They’ll be much more willing to step out of their own comfort zones and embrace new experiences, especially if they’re first-time campers who might already be feeling a bit unsure or nervous.

From sunrise to lights out, you’re likely talking to someone, somewhere. From your campers themselves, to other counselors and staff members, you’re going to need your communication skills to be in tip-top shape.

With the campers, you need to be able to strike the balance between understanding and following rules and expectations, and creating incredible memories of one of the best summers they’ll ever have. Although, remember communication isn’t just about talking - you’ll need to actively listen to any problems or concerns, and make sure campers feel valued and heard.

With other counselors and staff members, you’ll also be building a network of hugely supportive relationships at camp, and likely developing new friendships you’ll have for years and years to come. Communication becomes one of the most important aspects of the teamwork you’ll need to make sure each day runs smoothly.

You’re going to spend a minimum of 9 weeks working with kids of varying ages at camp. They’re going to be excited and energetic, and you just wait until the sugar in those s’mores hits their system!

Patience is a hugely valuable skill to have in your remit. By being patient you’ll be able to let the campers express themselves to their fullest, all the while retaining control, maintaining the fun and being as supportive as you possibly can. When a challenge arises, patience can help you navigate it with ease.

Camp life and kids are unpredictable, so having some flexibility is going to help you out a lot in daily camp life. Joining this together with some problem-solving skills, you’ll be able to navigate plenty of tricky situations.

From changes to the schedule, handling bad weather or dealing with unexpected events, being flexible will help you handle a changing camp environment in a way that means your campers likely remain oblivious to the fact that this wasn’t the plan all along. The more enthusiastic you are about new plans, the more on board your campers will be too!