Want to Be A Summer Camp Counselor

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Want to Be A Summer Camp Counselor?
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HERES HOW
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If you love working with kids, have a positive
attitude and you love the outdoors, crafts and
games being a summer day camp counselor may be
the perfect job for you.
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Flexibility is a big plus in this type of job, as
you never know what the day will throw at you,
and youll need an upbeat, can-do attitude.
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Whether youre supervising lakeside activities,
wearing a wacky outfit and doing the chicken
dance or mediating a squabble between campers,
youll need to bring on your best game.
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Here are a few tips for getting the summer job of
your dreams.
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What Do Camp Counselors Do?
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Typically, counselors are hired to act as
recreational leaders supervising overall camp
operations or teaching various special
activities.
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Swimming, archery, horseback riding, crafts and
nature education are just a few of the myriad
fun-filled outdoor activities youll enjoy right
along with the kids at day camp.
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Youll need plenty of patience, creativity,
leadership skills and above all, a sense of
humor.
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Apply Early!
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This is extremely important as camps often start
looking for staff in the winter months. If youre
a bit late, dont worry many programs still have
openings in May and June.
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Have good references on hand and note that some
sites will ask you to make a YouTube video to
accompany your application.
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Looking Locally
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If youre looking for a job near where you live,
contact local day camps, YMCAs, town recreation
departments and other youth organizations to see
if theyre looking for summer camp staff.
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You may know other people who work there, and be
able to use these connections, who may offer to
refer you.
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Look Online
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There are a variety of websites listing summer
camp jobs including Camp Channel, Camp Depot and
Camp Page.
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Cool Works, a summer job site, also has some
interesting opportunities.
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Are There Educational Requirements?
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While there are not specific educational
requirements for summer camp counselors, it helps
to have CPR and First Aid certification and it
may even give you an edge over other applicants.
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Be Creative With Previous Work Experience
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OK, maybe you havent been a camp counselor, but
maybe you have been a camper.
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On your application, emphasize your summer camp
experiences and how you want to carry the fun
forward by becoming a counselor yourself.
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If youve spent a summer or two at a camp as a
counselor-in-training, you have actual on-the-job
experience dealing with campers from a counselor
role.
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Use Your Camp Connections
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Many counselors were once campers at the very
same camp to which theyre applying.
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Naturally, this would give you a leg up in the
hiring process because you already know the camp
culture, traditions and songs, and best of all
you have a real and infectious love of the camp
itself.
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Get Experience Working With Kids
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Though you may not have specifically worked at a
summer camp, you can accumulate other experience
working with youngsters.
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Tutoring younger kids, volunteering at
afterschool programs, assistant coaching on kids
teams and babysitting are all invaluable
experience with children.
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Ask guidance counselors, coaches or teachers for
suggestions.
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Emphasize Your Positives
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Even if youve never set foot in a summer camp,
your personal characteristics may position you
nicely for a job.
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Approachability, empathy, leadership ability,
creativity and enthusiasm are traits that
directors are looking for in their staff and a
little goofiness doesnt hurt!
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If youre responsible, caring and have the
ability to put others before yourself, youll be
a good candidate.
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Do You Have A Special Talent?
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If you have a particular talent or area of
expertise that fits in with the camps programs,
be sure to highlight this on your resume.
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Camps that emphasize the arts, for example, may
be thrilled with your expertise on the violin or
experience with musical theater production ...
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... while wilderness camps may zone right in on
the fact that you spend years in Boy Scouts or
spent summers camping with your family.
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Any certifications in camp-related areas are also
important.
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So, get working on that resume!
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Remember to emphasize the positive, list all
related experience volunteer or paid and put your
enthusiasm and love of kids front and center.
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Let your kids enjoy the experience of summer day
camp at Maplewood Summer Day Camp.
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Experienced staff will keep your child both safe
and busy with arts and crafts, games, water
sports, gymnastics and more.
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Visit the site at http//www.maplewoodyearround.co
m
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MAPLEWOOD COUNTRY DAY CAMP AND ENRICHMENT
CENTER 150 Foundry St. (Route 106) PO Box 88
(Mailing) South Easton, MA 02375 Email
info_at_maplewoodyearround.com Telephone (508)
238-2387 FAX [phone]