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The differences between recreation managers and day 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 day camp counselor. Additionally, a recreation manager has an average salary of $47,007, which is higher than the $29,384 average annual salary of a day camp counselor.
The top three skills for a recreation manager include CPR, cleanliness and safety procedures. The most important skills for a day camp counselor are CPR, kids, and cleanliness.
| Recreation Manager | Day Camp Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $47,007 | $29,384 |
| Hourly rate | $22.60 | $14.13 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 3,137 | 32,895 |
| 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.
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.
Recreation managers and day camp counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Manager | Day Camp Counselor | |
| Average salary | $47,007 | $29,384 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $70,000 | Between $19,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Olympia, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Mississippi | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | St. John's Episcopal Hospital | City of Portland |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Education |
There are a few differences between a recreation manager and a day camp counselor in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Manager | Day 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 | Duke University |
Here are the differences between recreation managers' and day camp counselors' demographics:
| Recreation Manager | Day Camp Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0% | Male, 33.4% Female, 66.6% |
| 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, 12.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |