How to hire a camp counselor

How to hire a camp counselor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step camp counselor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a camp counselor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new camp counselor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a camp counselor do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a camp counselor, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A camp counselor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, camp counselors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents camp counselor salaries for various positions.

   Type of Camp Counselor	Description	Hourly rate
   Camp Counselor	Recreation workers design and lead recreational and leisure activities for groups in volunteer agencies or recreation facilities, such as playgrounds, parks, camps, aquatic centers, and senior centers. They may lead activities such as arts and crafts, dance, sports, adventure programs, music, and camping.	$7-16
   Activities Leader	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... Show more	$9-21
   Recreation Aide	A recreation aide is responsible for assisting with the planning of recreational activities, following the supervision of a recreational manager. Recreation aides prepare all the resources, guide the participants, maintain the activity equipment, facilitate the program, and reiterate the guidelines for the safe execution of the activity... Show more	$10-17

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Kids
   • CPR
   • Summer Camps
   • Role Model
   • Child Care
   • Incident Reports
   • Core Values
   • Leadership
   • General Safety
   • Skill Development
   • Conflict Resolution
   • Safety Guidelines
   • Emergency Procedures
   • Ropes Course

   Check all skills

   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.

   More camp counselor duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your camp counselor job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A camp counselor can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, camp counselors' average salary in utah is 46% less than in mississippi.
   • Seniority. Entry-level camp counselors 54% less than senior-level camp counselors.
   • Certifications. A camp counselor with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a camp counselor's salary.

   Average camp counselor salary

   $11.70hourly

   $24,340 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level camp counselor salary

   $16,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 17, 2026

   Average camp counselor salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Nebraska	$35,605	$17
   2	Massachusetts	$28,940	$14
   3	Oregon	$28,625	$14
   4	California	$27,454	$13
   5	Colorado	$26,958	$13
   6	New York	$26,311	$13
   7	Maryland	$25,524	$12
   8	District of Columbia	$25,338	$12
   9	Connecticut	$25,203	$12
   10	Montana	$25,117	$12
   11	Pennsylvania	$24,763	$12
   12	Arizona	$24,713	$12
   13	Georgia	$24,697	$12
   14	New Jersey	$24,512	$12
   15	Virginia	$24,424	$12
   16	Illinois	$24,088	$12
   17	Florida	$23,899	$11
   18	Texas	$23,297	$11
   19	North Carolina	$23,163	$11
   20	Washington	$22,596	$11

   Average camp counselor salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	University of California-Berkeley	$41,091	$19.76	2
   2	The Chicago High School for the Arts	$37,551	$18.05
   3	Boston College	$36,130	$17.37
   4	City of San Jos	$34,250	$16.47
   5	Pathfinder Ranch	$34,221	$16.45	5
   6	Congressional School	$33,914	$16.30
   7	Lifespan	$33,463	$16.09
   8	Bay Head Yacht Club	$33,291	$16.01
   9	Esf, Inc.	$32,814	$15.78	9
   10	University Of Minnesota Physicians	$31,790	$15.28
   11	Learning Care Group	$31,545	$15.17
   12	Horizon Services	$31,523	$15.16	2
   13	Lifeline Connections	$30,599	$14.71	4
   14	Worcester Polytechnic Institute	$30,449	$14.64
   15	City of Portland	$30,319	$14.58
   16	City of Georgetown	$30,299	$14.57
   17	The State of Oregon	$30,296	$14.57	2
   18	The Blake School	$30,027	$14.44
   19	Abilities First, Inc.	$29,882	$14.37
   20	St. Luke's Health System	$29,786	$14.32	5

4. Writing a camp counselor job description

   A good camp counselor job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a camp counselor job description:

   Camp counselor job description example

   Under the direction of and in collaboration with the Camp Director, the Camp Instructor/Counselor will provide supervision of camp participants, engage in activities, and provide a safe environment for campers of all ages attending camps at Saint Leo University.
   Job Description
   
   Duties and Tasks:
   This position will ensure a positive environment that promotes and enhances the development of camp participants and maintains a safe and controlled atmosphere to provide a high-quality program that meets the standards of the University.Assists in instructing all camp activities under the Director's supervision Actively observes all activities to ensure the protection and safety of all participants Participates in all staff training and meetings Provides a positive and authoritative approach to guiding behavior using age-appropriate limits and choices.Completes all paperwork according to policies and procedures Enjoys working with children, participating in activities and enthusiastic attitude REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Qualifications:Must be 16 years of age Knowledge:Current CPR, AED and First Aid Certificate preferred Skills:Dependable, ability to prioritize and organize, multi-task, creative thinker, outgoing, reliable, punctual, willingness and ability to take charge Work well with others in individual and group setting Previous knowledge, training, or experience is preferred but not required Abilities:Some lifting of objects up to 50lbsExposure to sun and heat for long periods in some positions Ability to balance many tasks and responsibilities simultaneously Ability to manage time and stress for self and others ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are a representation of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term “qualified individual with a disability” means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of this position.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about the office and University, handle various types of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds unless otherwise specified in the job description.NOTICE:The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Saint Leo University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student, and graduate success.
   
   Why Work at Saint Leo?
   
   What it's Like to Work Here: Ask our employees and the one word they'd use to describe working at Saint Leo University is “Community.” Our team members all share the Saint Leo core values, positive attitudes, and problem-solving abilities, enabling them to provide excellent student centered service. Our mission is educating and preparing students for life and leadership in a challenging world. Thank you for your interest in joining the Saint Leo PRIDE!
   
   We are committed to providing our employees with the support they need. At Saint Leo, we offer an array of medical, dental, and vision packages as well as several add-on perks to make your benefits package truly customizable to you and your family needs. Available benefits based on employment status (Full Time vs Part Time).
   Inclusive Group Health Plan (Medical, Dental, Vision) Group Health Plan features include Teledoc, Surgery Plus!, Wellness Incentive Program, Nationwide Pet Insurance, just to name a few!Health Reimbursement Account (University Paid!) and Flexible Spending Accounts (healthcare and dependent options) Tuition Remission (Employee, Spouse, and Dependents)*Tuition Exchange opportunity for dependent of employees*Paid Personal Leave (Sick, Vacation, Holidays)403b - Annual match 3%-9% of pay based on employee's contribution. University match and fully vested within one month of hire date.Basic Life and AD&D Insurance valued at 30k (University Paid!) Income Protection Benefits after one year Additional options for supplemental insurance
   
   *Eligibility based on meeting required service period

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right camp counselor for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your camp counselor job on Zippia to find and recruit camp counselor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit camp counselors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new camp counselor

   Once you've selected the best camp counselor candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new camp counselor. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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