Summer Jobs for Teens - Camp Counselors

Helping Teens Graduate from Camper to Counselor

Summer is coming soon, and teenagers everywhere are seeking suitable summer employment.

Teens who have enjoyed attending summer camps as younger children will often seek out paid positions as summer camp counselors, as soon as they are old enough to do so. What could be more fun than returning to the site of so many wonderful summer experiences and memories?

How can parents encourage teens towards success as summer camp counselors?

Whether your teen attended a day camp or an overnight summer camp, you can take several practical steps to help your adolescent son or daughter to prepare for a summer camp counselor position.

Counselor-in-Training

First, as a parent, you can investigate whether the summer camp offers a counselor-in-training, or CIT program, which is basically an internship program for summer camp counselors. These coveted spots are usually reserved for returning campers, or alumni, who have outgrown the regular summer camp program. Young teens may be placed in a separate group from the general camp population.

Usually counselors-in-training enjoy the best of both worlds at a summer camp. While they may participate in certain summer camp sports and activities, they are also called upon to assist the younger campers. Counselors-in-training may be paired with older counselors, who will mentor them in leadership and practical skills.

In most summer camps, after one summer in a counselor-in-training program, a teen may be eligible to apply for a bona fide counselor position. If counselor-in-training positions are available, parents do well to encourage teens to apply, as these summer camp experiences will greatly increase young adults' chances of landing much-desired summer camp counselor jobs.

In fact, completing a counselor-in-training program may equip a teen to apply for a counselor position at a different summer camp as well.

Training and Experience for Camp Counselors

Throughout the calendar year, parents can do a lot to help teens prepare for the transition from summer camper to camp counselor.