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What does a Day Camp Counselor do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted Expert
Juleen Buser Ph.D.
What does a Day Camp Counselor do

The job of the camp counselors is to develop recreational plans and oversee camp activities in residential camps. Their duties and responsibilities include organizing camping trips, planning and scheduling group activities, and guiding children and teenagers in various outdoor activities such as swimming and hiking. They are expected to lead campers in emergency procedures and fire drills, explain safety rules and procedures, and provide emotional support to campers. Camp counselors are also responsible for assessing and responding to emergencies when they arise.

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Day camp counselor responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real day camp counselor resumes:

  • Lead a successful group of kids by ensuring safety and behavioral expectations are met and providing structure and organize educational activities.
  • Administer medication and assist with ADL skills.
  • Transport patients to outside appointments and AA meetings.
  • Train in CPR, first-aid, and universal precautions.
  • Receive first aid, CPR, and emergency response training.
  • Conduct STI (sexually transmit infection) prevention and awareness campaigns.
  • Provide HIV/AIDS and other STI's education/prevention to high risk communities.
  • Plan and run, students for students, and outreach event target for college students to help grade school students.
  • Monitor youth activities and direct kids according to organizational protocol and safety regulations.
  • Develop and implement educational and therapy seminars for dual diagnosis patients in an inpatient setting.
  • Maintain progress notes, coordinate patients' psychiatric appointments and contact insurance companies for treatment certification and re-certification.
  • Provide assistance to camp counselors and administrative leadership by supervising campers at all times to ensure safety and enjoyment.
  • Communicate professionally with parents as requested by leadership in order to provide customer connection and relay important information on camper experience.
  • Work towards empowering juveniles and their families to support a positive lifestyle by providing strength base intensive intervention and rehabilitation services.
  • Conduct room searches and breathalyzers.

Day camp counselor skills and personality traits

We calculated that 20% of Day Camp Counselors are proficient in CPR, Kids, and Cleanliness. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Flexibility, and Leadership skills.

We break down the percentage of Day Camp Counselors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • CPR, 20%

    Maintained updated CPR certification and Crisis Wave certification.

  • Kids, 15%

    Led a successful group of kids by ensuring safety and behavioral expectations were met and providing structured and organized educational activities.

  • Cleanliness, 7%

    Followed safety and cleanliness standards.

  • PET, 6%

    Talk with guests about pet's behaviors and how they did that day.

  • Leadership, 5%

    Provided assistance to camp counselors and administrative leadership by supervising campers at all times to ensure safety and enjoyment.

  • Direct Supervision, 4%

    Administered medications to consumer under direct supervision.

Most day camp counselors use their skills in "cpr," "kids," and "cleanliness" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential day camp counselor responsibilities here:

Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a day camp counselor to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "recreation workers must be able to communicate well." Day camp counselors often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "exemplify positive role modeling by professionalism, language, work ethic, and positive communication. "

Flexibility. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling day camp counselor duties is flexibility. The role rewards competence in this skill because "recreation workers must be flexible when planning activities." According to a day camp counselor resume, here's how day camp counselors can utilize flexibility in their job responsibilities: "demonstrated flexibility and creativity when developing age appropriate recreational activities and programs under short notice and encouraging all kids to participate. "

Leadership skills. This is an important skill for day camp counselors to perform their duties. For an example of how day camp counselor responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "recreation workers should be able to lead both large and small groups." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a day camp counselor: "supervised children aged 3 - 6 leadership/extracurricular activities".

Physical strength. A big part of what day camp counselors do relies on "physical strength." You can see how essential it is to day camp counselor responsibilities because "most recreation workers should be physically fit." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical day camp counselor tasks: "supervised and organized physical activities for 30 children ages 8-10 attending camp. "

Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for day camp counselor responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of day camp counselors all the time, as "recreation workers need strong problem-solving skills." An excerpt from a real day camp counselor resume shows how this skill is central to what a day camp counselor does: "help children ages 6-9 apply their natural talents and solved multiple problems as they arose. "

All day camp counselor skills

The three companies that hire the most day camp counselors are:

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Compare different day camp counselors

Day camp counselor vs. Treatment specialist

The duties of a treatment specialist depend on their line of work or industry of employment. In the medical industry, a treatment specialist is primarily responsible for developing treatments according to the needs and conditions of a patient. They gather and analyze a patient's medical history and records, conduct extensive tests and examinations, coordinate with other medical experts, and discuss the extent of treatments to patients. Furthermore, a treatment specialist must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

We looked at the average day camp counselor salary and compared it with the wages of a treatment specialist. Generally speaking, treatment specialists are paid $24,289 higher than day camp counselors per year.Even though day camp counselors and treatment specialists are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require cpr, direct supervision, and social work in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, day camp counselor responsibilities require skills like "kids," "cleanliness," "pet," and "leadership." Meanwhile a typical treatment specialist has skills in areas such as "mental health," "rehabilitation," "criminal justice," and "behavioral issues." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Treatment specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the non profits industry, with an average yearly salary of $44,419. On the other hand, day camp counselors are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $34,530.The education levels that treatment specialists earn slightly differ from day camp counselors. In particular, treatment specialists are 6.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a day camp counselor. Additionally, they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Day camp counselor vs. Youth worker

Youth workers specialize in handling and providing support to young individuals with behavioral difficulties. They are primarily responsible for devising recreational projects, handling the budget, producing progress reports, managing intervention programs, and counseling troubled youth while keeping their information confidential. There may be instances where one must also search for opportunities and apply for funding or sponsorship. Furthermore, as a youth worker, it is vital to assess an individual's condition to determine their needs and ensure that they will receive the proper treatment.

On average, youth workers earn a $2,858 higher salary than day camp counselors a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both day camp counselors and youth workers have skills such as "cpr," "leadership," and "direct supervision. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, day camp counselor responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "kids," "cleanliness," "pet," and "social work." Meanwhile, a youth worker has duties that require skills in areas such as "youth development," "child care," "mental health," and "youth program." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, youth workers earn a higher salary than day camp counselors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, youth workers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $32,651. Whereas day camp counselors have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $34,530.youth workers earn similar levels of education than day camp counselors in general. They're 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Day Camp Counselors in the next 3-5 years?

Juleen Buser Ph.D.

Professor and Director, School Counseling and Coaching Programs, Rider University

I believe the methods of distance-based services will be more relevant and prevalent. Remote counseling services have been growing in the field for some time, but I would expect the pandemic and the shift for remote counseling during this time will lead to even higher use of such modalities in the future.

Day camp counselor vs. Residential advisor

Residential advisors are responsible for coordinating activities in various residential buildings and facilities, such as group homes and dormitories. They perform various tasks that include ordering supplies, determining the need for maintenance and repair, and assigning rooms. Residential advisors may help residents with solving their problems or connect them to counseling services or resources. Also, they are responsible for providing first aid or seeking medical assistance in times of emergency, and mediating conflicts between residents. They are also expected to implement rules and regulations for the orderly and smooth operation of residential facilities.

An average residential advisor eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of day camp counselors. The difference in salaries amounts to residential advisors earning a $4,209 higher average salary than day camp counselors.Using the responsibilities included on day camp counselors and residential advisors resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "cpr," "role model," and "crisis intervention.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a day camp counselor is likely to be skilled in "kids," "cleanliness," "pet," and "leadership," while a typical residential advisor is skilled in "patrol," "independent living," "mental health," and "dependability."

Residential advisors earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $40,173. Comparatively, day camp counselors have the highest earning potential in the education industry, with an average salary of $34,530.When it comes to education, residential advisors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to day camp counselors. In fact, they're 2.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Day camp counselor vs. Child care worker

A child care worker is responsible for providing care and supervision to children while the parents or guardians are away. A child care worker's duty may involve changing diapers and preparing milk for infants and toddlers, devise strategies or fun activities where children can learn, arrange schedules to fit their needs such as nap times, and prepare healthy meals and snacks. Aside from ensuring children's safety, a child care worker must also monitor any sign of emotional or developmental issues so it can be brought to the parents' attention as soon as possible.

Child care workers average a higher salary than the annual salary of day camp counselors. The difference is about $1,900 per year.According to resumes from day camp counselors and child care workers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "cpr," "direct supervision," and "role model. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "kids," "cleanliness," "pet," and "leadership" are skills that commonly show up on day camp counselor resumes. On the other hand, child care workers use skills like child care, behavioral issues, tci, and therapeutic crisis on their resumes.The finance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for child care workers, with average annual pay of $45,837. Comparatively, the highest day camp counselor annual salary comes from the education industry.The average resume of child care workers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to day camp counselors. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 3.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.4%.

Types of day camp counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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