This could be you!
What to Expect
Private Camps are set up by families or organisations to run as a business, charging parents a fee for campers to attend. Campers will range in age from 7-17 and will likely stay overnight anywhere from 1-8 weeks. Expect a huge range of activities and camp traditions, from sports and crafts to off-camp trips and special events. Your accommodation will most likely be a log cabin set amongst great facilities and extensive grounds.
This could be you!
Skills & Experience
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Enthusiasm & a Fun-Loving Attitude
Private camps are always looking for counselors and Campower 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.
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Communication
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.
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Organisation
From keeping to camp schedules to making sure you and your campers have everything you need for the day ahead, organisation is so important at camp. Your campers are going to rely on you to make sure they have all the information and equipment they need to have the best time at every activity. It’s on you to make sure you don’t let them down!
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Patience
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.
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Flexibility
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!
Typical Day
How to Apply
Real Experiences
Don't just take our word for it - this is just a snapshot of the amazing summers our participants have had at summer camp.
The application process is so easy and Camp America are there to guide you through it every step of the way. The team are all so helpful.
I made friends for life at camp who I still see today from all across the world and Camp America made that happen!
The best thing about working at a summer camp is getting to literally be a kid again - we did so many activities at camp from paddle boarding and low ropes to performing arts!
Camp feels like an escape from reality and brings everyone so much fun and laughter. I love seeing the transformation of campers and helping them grow throughout their time at camp.
Going to camp really pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to experience new things, from being trained in how to operate a ropes course to managing a team of staff.
The friendships you gain and the memories you make are like nothing you will have experienced before. Camp America turned me from a boy to a man and I am so grateful for what they have done for me.
Summer by the lake?
How Do I Apply?
We automatically send your application to every private camp that we work with. As Private Camps have so much going on, they recruit staff from all over the world for a wide variety of different roles. Whether you’re looking for a general counselor position, a job as an activity specialist, or one of our Campower positions, there’s a job to suit every skillset and a camp to suit every personality.
Summer by the lake?
