What Makes a Good Summer Camp Counsellor?

You don't have to be particularly good at singing. Which is fortunate, because at some point during your summer, you'll almost certainly be expected to do it in front of a large group of children.

You don't have to be an athlete, an extrovert or someone who's spent every school holiday volunteering.

American summer camps employ all sorts of people. Some can teach waterskiing. Others are brilliant with a paintbrush. Some have an extraordinary ability to persuade children to do things they were absolutely refusing to do five minutes earlier.

If you're thinking about applying, it's worth knowing what camp directors are actually looking for. And, perhaps more importantly, what they aren't.

You might have more useful skills than you realise

One of the best things about summer camp is the sheer variety of jobs available.

There are the obvious ones: swimming, tennis, football, sailing and other sports. Then there's photography, theatre, music, arts and crafts, horse riding and plenty more.

You might have spent years playing hockey, learnt guitar in your bedroom or developed a slightly excessive interest in photography. There's a good chance something you already enjoy could be useful at camp.

And if you don't have a particular speciality, general counsellor roles involve looking after campers, helping with activities and being part of their everyday lives.

Don't dismiss something because you've only ever done it for fun. Just be realistic about your ability and remember that some specialist positions require qualifications.

You don't need a childcare qualification

Experience working with children is helpful, but it doesn't have to come from a formal job.

Maybe you've coached junior netball, babysat your cousins, helped at a school holiday programme or volunteered with a local club.

These things are worth mentioning.

If you haven't had much experience, consider getting some before applying. It could be as simple as helping coach a junior sports team once a week.

You'll have something to talk about in your interview, and you'll discover whether you actually enjoy spending time with children.

An important detail, given how much of your summer you'll be spending with them.

Patience is a valuable skill

Being able to play tennis is one thing. Teaching a child who has never held a racket, has very little interest in tennis and would much rather be at the swimming pool is another.

You'll meet campers with different personalities, abilities and levels of enthusiasm.

Some will pick things up immediately. Others will need you to explain the same thing six times, preferably without looking as though you're explaining it for the sixth time.

You don't need to be a natural teacher. But being patient, encouraging and willing to adapt how you explain things will help enormously.

And when someone finally manages something they've been struggling with all week, you'll understand why people come back to camp.

Being outgoing isn't a requirement

If you've watched enough American summer camp films, you could be forgiven for thinking every counsellor is permanently enthusiastic, exceptionally loud and deeply committed to fancy dress.

There are certainly people like that.

But there are also quieter counsellors who are excellent listeners, thoughtful leaders and particularly good at noticing when a child needs a little extra attention.

You will need to get involved. There will be games, group activities and a few occasions when you have to make a fool of yourself.

But you don't have to change your personality to be good at camp.

Children are different. It makes sense that the people looking after them should be too.

Be someone people can rely on

Camp is fun, but you're also being trusted to look after other people's children.

Some will be away from home for the first time. They'll need help making friends, settling arguments, finding lost belongings and occasionally dealing with the enormous injustice of having to go to bed.

You won't always know what to do.

What matters is being sensible enough to ask for help, willing to take responsibility and able to stay calm when things don't go according to plan.

Camp directors understand that many applicants are young and still learning. They're interested in how you handle responsibility, even if your experience comes from school, sport or a part-time job.

You don't need to have everything figured out before you arrive.

That would make you rather unusual, actually.

Give your interviewer something to remember

You can describe yourself as friendly, hardworking and a team player.

So can everyone else.

It's much more useful to talk about the time you organised a school event, coached a younger sibling or dealt with a difficult customer at work.

Specific examples help camp directors understand how you might behave in similar situations at camp.

Think about what you've done, what you've learnt and what you'd enjoy contributing.

And don't worry about sounding impressive. An interesting, thoughtful answer about an ordinary experience is often far better than a rehearsed speech about your excellent leadership abilities.

Should you apply?

If you're interested in working with children, willing to get involved and prepared to take the responsibility seriously, camp could be worth considering.

You might be finishing school, halfway through university or several years into working life. You might have a collection of coaching qualifications or be trying something completely new.

There isn't one background that makes someone a good counsellor.

And you don't have to arrive knowing exactly what you're capable of. You'll have plenty of opportunities to find that out.

Including, quite possibly, whether you can persuade twenty children to go to sleep.

Good luck with that one.

Find your place at camp

AmeriCamp NZ helps young New Zealanders find paid summer camp positions across the United States.

We'll help you explore the different roles, understand what camps are looking for and prepare for your application.

Applications for summer 2027 are open. Find out more and apply through AmeriCamp NZ.