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How to hire a summer camp director

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

  • There are a total of 7,537 summer camp directors in the US, and there are currently 12,855 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a summer camp director is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per summer camp director on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Stamford, CT, has the highest demand for summer camp directors, with 2 job openings.

How to hire a summer camp director, step by step

To hire a summer camp director, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a summer camp director:

Here's a step-by-step summer camp director 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 director job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new summer camp director
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the summer camp director you need to hire. Certain summer camp director roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

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

    A summer camp director's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, summer camp directors 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.

    Here's a comparison of summer camp director salaries for various roles:

    Type of Summer Camp DirectorDescriptionHourly rate
    Summer Camp DirectorRecreation 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.$12-25
    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:
    • CPR
    • Kids
    • Role Model
    • Safety Procedures
    • Conflict Resolution
    • Program Curriculum
    • Mediation
    • Staff Supervision
    • Child Care
    • Incident Reports
    • School Programming
    • Leadership
    • Program Development
    • Character Development
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage and supervise the development and execution of program, including fiscal oversight, funding initiatives, and new partnerships.
    • Administer CPR and first aid when need.
    • Assist in creating an environment that protects the children, particularly with food allergies
    • Work within any classroom, infant through school-age kids that need an assistant teacher to meet DPW ratio.
    • Serve as a camp counselor with proper supervision over the kids and also make sure they get the proper help.
    • Train and supervise camp counselors, with training activities extending to CPR, sexual abuse awareness, and regional training requirements.
    More summer camp director duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your summer camp director job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A summer camp director salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for a summer camp director in Tennessee may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level summer camp director usually earns less than a senior-level summer camp director. Additionally, a summer camp director with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average summer camp director salary

    $36,909yearly

    $17.74 hourly rate

    Entry-level summer camp director salary
    $25,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 17, 2025

    Average summer camp director salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$51,632$25
    2California$43,038$21
    3Massachusetts$42,846$21
    4New York$41,877$20
    5Virginia$37,275$18
    6North Carolina$37,248$18
    7Colorado$36,756$18
    8New Jersey$36,394$18
    9Pennsylvania$35,487$17
    10Maryland$34,838$17
    11Illinois$33,983$16
    12South Carolina$32,174$15
    13Michigan$30,633$15
    14Florida$30,464$15
    15Texas$29,041$14
    16Missouri$28,282$14

    Average summer camp director salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Union University$53,434$25.692
    2City of Jacksonville$48,612$23.37
    3Newton Public Schools$43,609$20.97
    4University Settlement$43,408$20.87
    5Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago$41,738$20.07
    6Shady Side Academy$40,990$19.71
    7Shelby County$40,067$19.26
    8PSEA$38,652$18.581
    9Education Unlimited$38,395$18.46
    10Associated Recreation Council$38,188$18.36
    11A & S Co$37,918$18.23
    12Galileo$37,770$18.1619
    13Gwinnett County$37,407$17.98
    14Ymca Of Metropolitan Atlanta$37,232$17.908
    15Live Nation Entertainment$37,101$17.841
    16New York Botanical Garden$37,020$17.80
    17City of Concord$36,400$17.50
    18Black Rocket Productions$35,951$17.28
    19City of Charleston$35,235$16.94
    20City of Portland$34,808$16.73
  4. Writing a summer camp director job description

    A summer camp director 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a summer camp director job description:

    Summer camp director 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.



    PI194527534

  5. Post your job

    To find summer camp directors for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any summer camp directors they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level summer camp directors with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your summer camp director job on Zippia to find and recruit summer camp director candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting summer camp directors 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.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    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 director

    Once you've found the summer camp director 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 important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new summer camp director. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  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 director?

Before you start to hire summer camp directors, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire summer camp directors pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $36,909 per year for a summer camp director, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for summer camp directors in the US typically range between $12 and $25 an hour.

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