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The differences between activities aides and camp counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an activities aide and a camp counselor. Additionally, an activities aide has an average salary of $27,892, which is higher than the $24,340 average annual salary of a camp counselor.
The top three skills for an activities aide include patients, rehabilitation and PET. The most important skills for a camp counselor are kids, CPR, and summer camps.
| Activities Aide | Camp Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $27,892 | $24,340 |
| Hourly rate | $13.41 | $11.70 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 41,842 | 28,182 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An activity aide is responsible for facilitating recreation activities under the supervision of a recreation leader within nursing homes or other related institutions. Activity aides ensure the adequacy of resources and supplies according to the activity's instructions and budget limitations. They also reiterate the safety protocols and guidelines to the participants, as well as conducting inspections of the facilities to prevent potential hazards. An activity aide must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing reports and escalating concerns for immediate resolution.
Camp counselors' general responsibility is the supervision of a camping event. Camp counselors' duties include reiterating the rules and regulations, emergency drills and procedures, and related standard protocols to ensure that the campers maintain a safe camping environment. A camp counselor should possess strong leadership and decision-making skills to develop recreational programs and immediately resolve concerns that might affect everyone's overall camping experience. Camp counselors also help develop social interaction, promote teamwork, and monitor participation among campers.
Activities aides and camp counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Activities Aide | Camp Counselor | |
| Average salary | $27,892 | $24,340 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $35,000 | Between $16,000 And $35,000 |
| Highest paying City | Guilderland, NY | Omaha, NE |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Mississippi |
| Best paying company | Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York | University of California, Berkeley |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Education |
There are a few differences between an activities aide and a camp counselor in terms of educational background:
| Activities Aide | Camp Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Minnesota State University - Mankato | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between activities aides' and camp counselors' demographics:
| Activities Aide | Camp Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.2% Female, 82.8% | Male, 42.4% Female, 57.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 5.4% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 13.1% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |