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The differences between recreation specialists 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 specialist and a day camp counselor. Additionally, a recreation specialist has an average salary of $39,186, which is higher than the $29,384 average annual salary of a day camp counselor.
The top three skills for a recreation specialist include CPR, customer service and recreation programs. The most important skills for a day camp counselor are CPR, kids, and cleanliness.
| Recreation Specialist | Day Camp Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $39,186 | $29,384 |
| Hourly rate | $18.84 | $14.13 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 3,288 | 32,895 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A recreation specialist is responsible for planning and organizing engaging activities according to the event's purpose and community theme. Recreation specialists handle the event's outline from conceptualization to the actual execution, including the location, resources, participants, and budget limitations. They consider the needs of the participants and develop strategic plans that would cater to their lifestyle, growth, and development. A recreation specialist may also conduct outreach operations to gain sponsors and fundraising to enhance community events.
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 specialists and day camp counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Specialist | Day Camp Counselor | |
| Average salary | $39,186 | $29,384 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $53,000 | Between $19,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Loveland, CO | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Mississippi | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Harlem Children's Zone | City of Portland |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Education |
There are a few differences between a recreation specialist and a day camp counselor in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Specialist | Day Camp Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Kinesiology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between recreation specialists' and day camp counselors' demographics:
| Recreation Specialist | Day Camp Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.7% Female, 51.3% | Male, 33.4% Female, 66.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 5.1% White, 60.3% 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% |