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The differences between summer camp counselors and activities leaders 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 leader. Additionally, an activities leader has an average salary of $30,329, 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 leader are CPR, direct supervision, and homework assistance.
| Summer Camp Counselor | Activities Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $25,617 | $30,329 |
| Hourly rate | $12.32 | $14.58 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 31,954 | 35,544 |
| 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 activity leader's main duty is to offer sports programs and exercises that are riveting in a positive manner. The activities typically assigned to leaders are the ones they understand for the smooth promotion and planning of events. Usually, hotel resorts and summer camps seasonally employ activity leaders to make time for different exercises throughout the year. Working as an activities leader can also be viewed as a way to practically enhance a person's teaching or coaching skills, leadership and communication skills, and marketing skills when it comes to publicizing upcoming events.
Summer camp counselors and activities leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Summer Camp Counselor | Activities Leader | |
| Average salary | $25,617 | $30,329 |
| Salary range | Between $17,000 And $37,000 | Between $20,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Mississippi | Mississippi |
| Best paying company | St. Anne's-Belfield School | Bayer |
| Best paying industry | Education | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a summer camp counselor and an activities leader in terms of educational background:
| Summer Camp Counselor | Activities Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between summer camp counselors' and activities leaders' demographics:
| Summer Camp Counselor | Activities Leader | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.2% Female, 58.8% | Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1% |
| 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, 11.6% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |