Of all of the seasonal jobs for teenagers, camp counseling is one that entails various skills, including being a lifeguard or being well educated in CPR and first aid etc. Other skills that can prove to be useful are some horseback experience, naturalist work, ability to play the guitar or anything else that could enhance the camp experience. Usually to be a candidate for this job, most camps prefer if you are 17 or above.
There are no particular academic requirements as such but basic ability to read and write in English Language is very important.
As mentioned before, skills like knowledge of first aid and CPR, trained lifeguard, natural knack for camp environments, etc are skills that improve your resume. Some other useful skills like playing the guitar, some experience with horseback riding, being a good swimmer and other such things are also a good resume builder.
Many camps have a Counselor in Training program (CIT). In this program, teens from age 13 onwards can work in the camp but no payment is made for that. However, you receive special training in different aspects of camp and this can be very useful for the future prospects in getting into some kinds of profession by the time you are 18.
Previous experience is not a strict requirement since you are a teenager and it is quite understood that it is very likely you have not had much experience in a job, but being part of the Counselor in Training program does count as prior experience and increases your chances of getting hired almost immediately.
Unlike other temporary jobs for teenagers, there is a training program available and it is the first step to a career as a camp counselor. The prospects of a career in this field are enormous. With the experience in hand it is quite simple to land a job in the field and it is one of the few fields where training starts at such a young age. Many current successful camp counselors are those who enrolled in the training so as to secure a summer job over their teenage years but then decided to turn it into a career because they loved it.
Salaries vary depending on your position at the camp and on what sort of camp it is. For example, a basic summer camp for kids doesn't involve special skills and teaching that needs to be done but a band camp would require a camp counselor to have some knowledge in the field like being in a band themselves or knowing how to play instruments.
Camp counseling is all about activities and being a part of carrying them out. So as a camp counselor you will be promoting and participating in activities like arts and crafts, games, sports, music, drama, camping and other hobbies. A camp counselor's main duty is to promote a positive and healthy environment for all campers including themselves by developing and utilizing their personal leadership skills and being caring and concerned about the social adjustment of each camper. You need to help the campers plan, carry out projects and other activities and evaluate them as well.
Promoting camper participation in the projects and activities is also part of your job requirement. Support should be given to fellow counselors as well so as to ensure smooth interaction and functioning of the camp as a whole. Also, if you are opting for this job you need to have some interest in interacting with kids while living in as a group with them. You should also be a team player not just with the kids but with other counselors and the adult staff as well. You should be responsible, enthusiastic, friendly, patient as well as willing to learn. All in all, it is a great job to opt for and is one of the best options of part-time jobs for teenagers. You will find that it is quite a wholesome experience.
It is a good idea to encourage your child to go for summer jobs. This is a good way by which the teenagers gain their first hand experience in their preferred profession before getting involved in the paid jobs in future.
