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How to hire a summer camp counselor

Summer camp counselor hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring summer camp counselors in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a summer camp counselor is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new summer camp counselor to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a summer camp counselor, step by step

To hire a summer camp counselor, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a summer camp counselor:

Here's a step-by-step summer camp counselor hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a summer camp counselor job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new summer camp counselor
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a summer camp counselor do?

Summer camps are programs with different themes organized for children or teenagers during the summer months. Summer camp counselors are responsible for the overall supervision of campers and the planning and implementation of the different programs to give children a memorable experience. It is their responsibility to create a fun, safe, and rewarding environment for each camper. They provide counsel, support, and monitor each camper's individual development. A good summer camp counselor is reliable, honest, and has strong leadership skills.

Learn more about the specifics of what a summer camp counselor does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your summer camp counselor job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a summer camp counselor for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A summer camp counselor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, summer camp counselors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of summer camp counselors and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Summer Camp CounselorDescriptionHourly rate
    Summer Camp CounselorRecreation workers design and lead recreational and leisure activities for groups in volunteer agencies or recreation facilities, such as playgrounds, parks, camps, aquatic centers, and senior centers. They may lead activities such as arts and crafts, dance, sports, adventure programs, music, and camping.$8-17
    Orientation LeaderAn orientation leader helps new students adjust to life in universities or colleges. They are primarily responsible for sharing campus advice, facilitating campus tours, assisting incoming students in class and organization registrations, introducing university opportunities, and discussing essential matters with students and their families... Show more$4-50
    Recreation LeaderThe primary role of recreation leaders is to encourage recreational and sporting activities in various settings such as schools, parks, and youth centers. Their job requires them to motivate others to work as a team member while also promoting good morals and sportsmanship... Show more$11-17
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Child Care
    • Kids
    • CPR
    • Customer Service
    • Work Ethic
    • Summer Camps
    • Provide Emotional Support
    • Role Model
    • Kindergarten
    • Conflict Resolution
    • Mathematics
    • Leadership
    • Incident Reports
    • Core Values
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Lead kids through daily activities and encourage their creativity
    • Create activities for children k-5.
    • Create PowerPoint games to enhance social skills.
    • Assist after school children pre-k through 5th grade with homework or school projects.
    • Organize and run programming to connect students with their Jewish life to the outside world.
    • Monitor children at all times, being constantly aware of children's medical conditions and food allergies.
    More summer camp counselor duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your summer camp counselor job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A summer camp counselor salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, summer camp counselors' average salary in utah is 45% less than in mississippi.
    • Seniority. Entry-level summer camp counselors earn 54% less than senior-level summer camp counselors.
    • Certifications. A summer camp counselor with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a summer camp counselor's salary.

    Average summer camp counselor salary

    $12.32hourly

    $25,617 yearly

    Entry-level summer camp counselor salary
    $17,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025

    Average summer camp counselor salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$34,026$16
    2California$32,394$16
    3Massachusetts$31,604$15
    4Oregon$29,694$14
    5Colorado$29,511$14
    6Maine$28,434$14
    7New York$28,352$14
    8Maryland$28,305$14
    9New Jersey$27,115$13
    10Virginia$25,002$12
    11Florida$24,892$12
    12Illinois$24,277$12
    13Pennsylvania$24,002$12
    14Texas$23,010$11
    15Georgia$22,762$11
    16Ohio$22,223$11
    17Indiana$21,759$10
    18South Carolina$21,645$10
    19Kansas$21,342$10

    Average summer camp counselor salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1St. Anne's-Belfield School$50,132$24.10
    2City of Jacksonville$41,565$19.98
    3Dwight School$38,661$18.59
    4Pathfinder Ranch$37,588$18.07
    5Mt Hood Kiwanis Camp$37,020$17.80
    6City of Las Vegas$36,027$17.32
    7Black Rocket Productions$33,639$16.17
    8Gainesville Regional Utilities$33,101$15.91
    9Horizon Services$32,926$15.831
    10Associated Recreation Council$32,757$15.759
    11Quad$32,695$15.72
    12Magellan Health$32,619$15.68220
    13Learning Care Group$31,670$15.231
    14Kids In The Middle$31,279$15.046
    15Homes for the Homeless$31,015$14.91
    16Tallgrass Technologies$30,808$14.81
    17Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago$30,498$14.66
    18Mad Science Group$30,230$14.533
    19Animal Humane Society$30,176$14.51
    20Palmetto$30,038$14.44
  4. Writing a summer camp counselor job description

    A summer camp counselor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a summer camp counselor job description:

    Summer camp counselor job description example

    At Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, we are taking youth programming to a new level. We are a leader in youth development, providing a safe, affordable place for kids and teens during critical out-of-school time. Our Clubs offer life-changing programs and services to more than 20,000 youth throughout the greater Seattle area.

    As the third largest major metro Boys & Girls Club organization in the United States, we have a rich history serving King County youth. If you are passionate about youth development, love to connect with people, have a proven track record of results with youth, and want to be part of an extraordinary team, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County is for you!

    Opportunity Overview: SUMMER CAMP STAFF

    A Youth Development Professional (YDP) supports Club Leadership in providing an Outcome Driven Club Experience in a variety of programming areas including: Gym, Games Room, Learning Center, Computer Lab, Kitchen, Club Entry, and other targeted programming areas. The majority of responsibilities are working directly with youth, ensuring their safety, well-being and development through interactive play and other activities as directed.

    The YDP is self-motivated, mature, energetic, and able to maintain clear and healthy boundaries with club members, parents and staff; able to communicate and interact with youth in a way that is age appropriate, motivational and positive in nature. The YDP must be flexible, have the ability to adapt to a work environment which changes often, must remain calm and solve problems in stressful situations. The YDP must anticipate and implement all elements of activities in an organized fashion.

    ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

    • Provide engaged presence to prepare youth for success while creating a safe and healthy Club environment that facilitates positive youth development
    • Ensure facilities, equipment & supplies are maintained
    • Assist with planning, developing, implementing and evaluating programs
    • Collect and track Club member attendance, coursework and behavior data
    • Model mature work behaviors to ensure a productive work environment
    • Ensure program areas are set-up and cleaned up on a daily basis
    • Assist in facilitation of club specific and BGCA core programs
    • Assist in facilitation and delivery of High Yield Learning Activities (HYLAs)
    • Ensure member confidentiality during and after employment: which includes, but not limited to membership data, and school data and other information obtained
    • Affirm positive behavior in members, and deliver coaching conversations and redirection when needed
    • Build partnerships with parents and families
    • Develop programs and activities that support the three impact pillars: heatlthy lifestyles, good character and citizenship, and academic success

    RELATIONSHIPS:

    Internal: Maintain close, daily positive contact with club staff, volunteers, club members, and supervisor. Attend staff meetings.

    External: Maintain a good reputation and moral conduct outside of work, in the community and on social media networks.

    QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

    • Knowledge and experience working with a non-profit youth development agency, Boys & Girls Club experience preferred
    • Strong organization skills, attention to detail, professional presence, strong customer relations skills and ability to maintain strict confidentiality
    • Understanding of youth development principles, ability to motivate youth in a positive way
    • Collaborate with other Clubs, Sites and Community Partners
    • Learn and support new ideas for the good of the Club
    • Model and guide youth in strengths-based problem solving, goal setting and study skills
    • Experience working within diverse cultures preferred

    Requirements for staff applying to Licensed Program Sites:

    • TB test results required within 30 days of employment
    • Completion of initial STARS basic training within 6 months of hire
    • HIV/AIDS, First Aid, CPR and BBP certification (within 90 days of hire)

    BGCKC Summer Programming Details: Camp season runs June 20th- August 29th (start dates vary by location) with trainings for some positions beginning in early June. Shifts range from 7AM to 6PM.

    HOURS: Seasonal positions. Hours vary depending on program need.

    LOCATIONS: Hiring throughout King County, at 20 locations

    HOURLY RATE : $18-21/hr, Depending on Location

    FLSA: Hourly, Non-Exempt Position

    PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

    The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those occurring in the performance of the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

    WORKING ENVIRONMENT: On location at Club or school site, time spent outdoors on grassy fields, pools, lakes and other outdoor areas, some time spent on field trips if permitted by health department. Exposure to computer screens, noisy and inclement weather conditions.

    DISCLAIMER:

    This position description generally describes the principle functions of the position and the level of knowledge and skills typically required. It does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and it is subject to change as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

    Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination

    Boys & Girls Clubs of King County (BGCKC) is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. BGCKC does not discriminate with regards to hiring, assignment, promotion or other conditions of staff employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other status protected under local, state or federal law.

    In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of our positions.



    PI194531904

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find summer camp counselors for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your summer camp counselor job on Zippia to find and recruit summer camp counselor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting summer camp counselors requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new summer camp counselor

    Once you've found the summer camp counselor candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new summer camp counselor. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a summer camp counselor?

Hiring a summer camp counselor comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting summer camp counselors involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of summer camp counselor recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

The median annual salary for summer camp counselors is $25,617 in the US. However, the cost of summer camp counselor hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a summer camp counselor for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $8 and $17 an hour.

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