Summer is right around the corner, and your teen might be looking for a fun job that involves the great outdoors, and hourly pay. A summer camp counselor might be just the job your teen needs.
Teens can begin working as camp counselors during their high school years and continue on during their summers in college if they choose. Some camps even offer the opportunity for younger pre-teens to begin as counselors-in-training during junior high years.
Where would they apply?
The Salvation Army, the fourth largest charity in the United States, is hiring assistant counselors and camp counselors. Assistant counselors have to be at least 16 years of age. An assistant counselors’ job is to assist the camp counselors. “They are charged with being a positive Christian influence for each of their campers, ages 8 to 12,” according to the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army camp counselors have to be at least 18 years of age, with experience working with children. The counselors are responsible for all the campers within their cabin, including the assistant counselor. The deadline to apply for these positions is in February, so be on the lookout for applications to open next year.
YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South is also looking for summer camp counselors. Your teen has to be at least 18 years of age. The deadline to apply is May 5th.
Also younger YMCA camp leaders may want to ask about Counselors-in-Training or CITs. CITs are the oldest campers who typically want to apply for a job at camp next summer, maybe as a Junior Counselor or some other supporting role. This job will help your teen to learn more specific skills for working with kids and co-workers. It will also give your teen more experience planning and leading activities. Both programs give kids age-appropriate challenges that build their skills, confidence, and capacity for working with people of all ages.
Lifetime Inc., a Collierville health club, is looking for summer camp counselors with at least one year of experience. At Lifetime Inc., a kids camp counselor leads children through a variety of activities including rock climbing, swimming, weekly field trips, arts, and crafts. There is no deadline to apply.
If your teen is looking to travel, Camp Cobbossee for boys is offering an internship.
Cobbossee offers teenage counselors travel stipends so they can spend four weeks in Maine. “We have our own private island,” says camp director Matt Jones. “We only hire 18-year-old ex-campers and 19-year-olds for formal positions.”
These are just a few options available to teens and young adults to get involved with local and regional summer camps. Be sure to check out Memphis Parent’s online Camp Guide to see a list of camps — and have your teen call to find out if there are any paid or volunteer positions open this season.
Tyra Bridges is a LeMoyne-Owen College senior and Memphis Parent intern.