written on Mar 12, 2018

Summer camp counsellors play a vital role at camp by helping each kid in their cabin get the most out of each day’s experiences. As you explore job opportunities for the summer, consider these signs that you might be the ideal camp counsellor this year.

You Are Known as a Leader

At camp, counsellors bunk with the younger campers and are expected to lead the activities. From rallying your group up to play a game of soccer to getting everyone to do their evening chores, you must be capable of inspiring others to reach their full potential. While you don’t necessarily have to be an extrovert, you should be comfortable talking in front of a group of kids to do things such as explain the rules of a new game.

You Love Being Outdoors

Most of your time as a camp counsellor is spent outside. This means that you must be comfortable both in and out of the water. You should also be ready to go on a hike, sing songs around the campfire or get splashed during a kayaking race on the lake. In fact, you can’t help but think that being outside at camp beats any type of indoor job you could find for the summer.

You Are Awesome with Kids

You’ve got a knack for making a little kid smile, and your zany personality helps you keep younger campers from thinking too much about being homesick. Whether you have younger siblings or have always enjoyed working with kids, you have a way of connecting with people of any age. You may even be thinking of a career as a coach or teacher once you complete your education.

You Think on Your Feet

Things happen fast at summer camp, where every moment is packed full of fun. As a camp counsellor, you must think fast to make sure that everyone stays safe and has a good time. From recognizing potential danger such as lightning on the lake and moving the group to an indoor activity, to changing strategies when something goes wrong such as rain on your cookout, you must be capable of rapidly adjusting to new situations.

You Are Self-Motivated

Campers rely on their counsellor to help them get through each part of their daily routine. This means that there is no sleeping in when you have a group of kids looking to you to make sure that they wake up on time and get to breakfast. The good news is that your self-motivation is always rewarded when you watch the campers thrive under your care.

You Can’t Imagine Summer Without Camp

Although going to summer camp as a kid is not required to become a counsellor, many people find that they are the perfect fit for the role after years of spending their summers at camp. After all, you may not be able to imagine a summer season without a dive into the lake or a chance to get silly in the camp play for family day. The best camp counsellors love what they do, and they would never consider doing anything else. A summer spent as a camp counsellor is bound to lead to many wonderful memories. You’ll also find that working as a counsellor prepares you for other careers down the road by teaching you valuable leadership skills that you will use for the rest of your life. When you know that a camp counsellor job is right for you, go out and seize the opportunity to have an amazing summer that brings out your best qualities!

Canadian Adventure Camp is a North Ontario coed sleepover summer camp for kids located on a beautiful private island in the wilderness lakes region of Temagami. Founded in 1975, it provides acclaimed programs to children from around the world!