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The differences between summer camp counselors and activities directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a summer camp counselor and an activities director. Additionally, an activities director has an average salary of $44,982, which is higher than the $25,617 average annual salary of a summer camp counselor.
The top three skills for a summer camp counselor include child care, kids and CPR. The most important skills for an activities director are patients, rehabilitation, and resident care.
| Summer Camp Counselor | Activities Director | |
| Yearly salary | $25,617 | $44,982 |
| Hourly rate | $12.32 | $21.63 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 31,954 | 6,845 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
An activities director is responsible for planning engaging events for the participants, considering individual interests and the safety of procedures and resources. Activities directors guide the activity staff on assisting the participants, ensuring that they are comfortable with joining the activities. Since most activities directors work at a healthcare facility or elderly institution, they must also monitor the health of the participants by conducting therapeutic activities and evaluate the participants' progress for every program. The activities director must be a critical-thinker, as well as have excellent communication skills to coordinate with facilities personnel for successful activity completion.
Summer camp counselors and activities directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Summer Camp Counselor | Activities Director | |
| Average salary | $25,617 | $44,982 |
| Salary range | Between $17,000 And $37,000 | Between $27,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Huntington, NY |
| Highest paying state | Mississippi | Mississippi |
| Best paying company | St. Anne's-Belfield School | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Education | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a summer camp counselor and an activities director in terms of educational background:
| Summer Camp Counselor | Activities Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between summer camp counselors' and activities directors' demographics:
| Summer Camp Counselor | Activities Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.2% Female, 58.8% | Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |