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Camp counselor vs activities leader

The differences between camp counselors and activities leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a camp counselor and an activities leader. Additionally, an activities leader has an average salary of $30,329, which is higher than the $24,340 average annual salary of a camp counselor.

The top three skills for a camp counselor include kids, CPR and summer camps. The most important skills for an activities leader are CPR, direct supervision, and homework assistance.

Camp counselor vs activities leader overview

Camp CounselorActivities Leader
Yearly salary$24,340$30,329
Hourly rate$11.70$14.58
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs28,18235,544
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a camp counselor do?

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.

What does an activities leader do?

An activity leader's main duty is to offer sports programs and exercises that are riveting in a positive manner. The activities typically assigned to leaders are the ones they understand for the smooth promotion and planning of events. Usually, hotel resorts and summer camps seasonally employ activity leaders to make time for different exercises throughout the year. Working as an activities leader can also be viewed as a way to practically enhance a person's teaching or coaching skills, leadership and communication skills, and marketing skills when it comes to publicizing upcoming events.

Camp counselor vs activities leader salary

Camp counselors and activities leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

Camp CounselorActivities Leader
Average salary$24,340$30,329
Salary rangeBetween $16,000 And $35,000Between $20,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityOmaha, NEBoston, MA
Highest paying stateMississippiMississippi
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyBayer
Best paying industryEducationHealth Care

Differences between camp counselor and activities leader education

There are a few differences between a camp counselor and an activities leader in terms of educational background:

Camp CounselorActivities Leader
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Camp counselor vs activities leader demographics

Here are the differences between camp counselors' and activities leaders' demographics:

Camp CounselorActivities Leader
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 42.4% Female, 57.6%Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between camp counselor and activities leader duties and responsibilities

Camp counselor example responsibilities.

  • Manage camp check-ins by assembling and assigning check-in teams, and helping implement opening day camp check-ins.
  • Guide and nurture campers by accompanying them to and assisting with camp activities, and lead hiking and canoe trips
  • Mentore kids using healthy conflict resolution techniques.
  • Organize group activities to facilitate communication between children with various health needs ranging from common allergies to severe developmental disabilities.
  • Supervise campers, cook, and run activities.
  • Provide support and host VIP visitors and guests.
  • Show more

Activities leader example responsibilities.

  • Manage security and access policies base upon operational need-to-know and DOD regulations and requirements
  • Train and certify in CPR prior to each summer.
  • Uphold company standard of inventory management and WCM manufacturing principles.
  • Conduct and supervise appropriate programs and activities in a leadership capacity or direct by site supervisor.
  • Develop leadership skills while coordinating and instructing after school educational activities for students of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • Provide functional subject matter expertise daily technical operational and guidance on DOD and DA standard logistical systems.
  • Show more

Camp counselor vs activities leader skills

Common camp counselor skills
  • Kids, 29%
  • CPR, 22%
  • Summer Camps, 9%
  • Role Model, 7%
  • Child Care, 5%
  • Incident Reports, 3%
Common activities leader skills
  • CPR, 24%
  • Direct Supervision, 16%
  • Homework Assistance, 8%
  • Role Model, 7%
  • Physical Stamina, 7%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%

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