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The differences between recreation managers 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 a recreation manager and a camp counselor. Additionally, a recreation manager has an average salary of $47,007, which is higher than the $24,340 average annual salary of a camp counselor.
The top three skills for a recreation manager include CPR, cleanliness and safety procedures. The most important skills for a camp counselor are kids, CPR, and summer camps.
| Recreation Manager | Camp Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $47,007 | $24,340 |
| Hourly rate | $22.60 | $11.70 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 3,137 | 28,182 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Recreation managers create programs at a recreation center for specific people such as the elderly, children, and disabled people. These managers keep communities informed regarding the different excursions, programs, and exhibitions. They advise counselors and administrators on recreation and parks and ways to obtain sponsors. They coordinate and keep records of all activities and events. Their job also includes dealing with issues like being understaffed. They must work with different kinds of people, must have management and organizational abilities, and be physically fit.
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.
Recreation managers and camp counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Manager | Camp Counselor | |
| Average salary | $47,007 | $24,340 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $70,000 | Between $16,000 And $35,000 |
| Highest paying City | Olympia, WA | Omaha, NE |
| Highest paying state | Mississippi | Mississippi |
| Best paying company | St. John's Episcopal Hospital | University of California, Berkeley |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Education |
There are a few differences between a recreation manager and a camp counselor in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Manager | Camp Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between recreation managers' and camp counselors' demographics:
| Recreation Manager | Camp Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0% | Male, 42.4% Female, 57.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 60.9% 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% |