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The differences between recreation supervisors 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 supervisor and a camp counselor. Additionally, a recreation supervisor has an average salary of $45,209, which is higher than the $24,340 average annual salary of a camp counselor.
The top three skills for a recreation supervisor include CPR, recreational facilities and payroll. The most important skills for a camp counselor are kids, CPR, and summer camps.
| Recreation Supervisor | Camp Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $45,209 | $24,340 |
| Hourly rate | $21.74 | $11.70 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 4,698 | 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 Supervisors are responsible for overseeing the operations and service delivery of a recreation program for an organization. Their duties include facilitating the implementation of the recreations program, assist in staff recruitment, scheduling staff roster, developing training sessions, and track employee performance. They manage contracts, conduct community research, perform marketing outreach activities, and serve as a district representative in engaging external parties. Recreational Supervisors also develop marketing materials, coordinate logistic arrangements, monitor inventory, prepare program budgets, and write grant proposals.
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 supervisors and camp counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Supervisor | Camp Counselor | |
| Average salary | $45,209 | $24,340 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $62,000 | Between $16,000 And $35,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | Omaha, NE |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Mississippi |
| Best paying company | Glen Ellyn Park District | University of California, Berkeley |
| Best paying industry | Government | Education |
There are a few differences between a recreation supervisor and a camp counselor in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Supervisor | Camp Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Recreation Management | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between recreation supervisors' and camp counselors' demographics:
| Recreation Supervisor | Camp Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.2% Female, 43.8% | Male, 42.4% Female, 57.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.2% 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% |