14 Incredible Reasons to be a Camp Counselor This Summer

Being a camp counselor is the ultimate summer job. You’ll spend your days hanging out with kids who look up to you and making great friends with the other camp counselors.

If you’re considering making an impact this year, here are 14 reasons to be a camp counselor that you can’t disagree with.

Looking to make great relationships? You won’t fully understand your impact on your campers until they step onto the bus on the last day of camp.

When they head home for the summer, you’ll realize how close you’ve grown with your camp squad - you’ve been with them every day for the last two months. You’ve been their cool big sibling, best friend, and a massive part of their summer.

You'll realize in the months after that they've also been a big part of your summer camp experience. It won't take you long to realize that being a camp counselor is more rewarding than any job you'll ever have.

2. You'll learn life-changing lessons

Every day at camp is a learning experience.

You’ll learn things about yourself, how you interact with others, and find your place in the world.

You’re spending 2 months in a new environment and will be glad you embraced the opportunity.

Whether immersing yourself in new activities or understanding other people better, you will continue to learn and grow as the summer goes on.

The friendships you make with your fellow camp counselors will last a lifetime.

Leaving camp is always bittersweet. After two months, you’ll have grown closer to some fantastic people and shared an amazing experience.

While you may never see some of these friends again, there are those that you’ll continue to connect with for the rest of your life.

4. It's incredibly fun

Counselors are just big campers.

You're free to let go and have fun, and you'll feel like a big kid.

Do you remember spending your summers as a kid covered in dirt and not caring what you looked like? You'll go back to that place at camp.

You'll lose your inhibitions and remember how great it is to be outdoors.

It's fun, freeing, and an incredibly positive experience.

Be a part of something bigger.

Camp traditions are a huge part of the camp environment. Some go back over a hundred years!

Whether it’s a campfire with s'mores, choosing a theme for your bunk, or a late-night pool party, you'll love your camp's traditions. They pull everyone together and help establish the sense of unity and family that will make it hard to say goodbye at the end of the summer.

They're deeply rooted in the entire summer camp experience, making each camp unique.

6. It's the ultimate summer job

Forget mowing lawns, delivering pizzas, or working in your local restaurant.

Everyone needs a summer job. You might as well get a fun one!

Becoming a camp counselor might be the best job you’ll ever have.

The best thing about camp is that it never feels like work. It’s not always easy, and sometimes you’ll want to spend a day catching up on sleep - but you won’t want to change it for the world.

You’ll get to spend all day hanging out with your group, trying new activities, enjoying the sunshine, and eating your body weight in food each day.

After spending up to 4 months in America, even your tan will have a tan.

I'd say that's not a bad problem to have.

Channel your inner Sheryl Crow this summer and soak up the sun. You'll be spending lots of time outdoors, so if you like getting some vitamin D, summer camp is the place for you.

You'll need to ensure you don't get burned, so don't forget the Coppertone 45!

8. You can have a digital detox

You’ll disconnect from technology and reconnect with everything else.

You’ll form meaningful relationships and have great conversations with many people.

The “camp bubble” will allow you to be in the present moment and forget about all the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Don't get me wrong, you'll have plenty of new pics on your instagram by the end of the summer. You'll just have lots of other fun stuff going on instead.

All your best stories will start the same way; “This one time, at summer camp…”. It won't get old.

You'll have great new friends and hilarious memories to share with them.

On a rainy day, you could drop a new version of "my favourite things" from Sound of Music (shout out to Ariana Grande) with all your camp memories.

10. You'll have days off to explore

Freedom in the land of the free.

What you do is up to you, and the choices are endless.

You get days off from summer camp each week. It's up to you what you do. You can visit local towns, shopping centres, and other attractions, or you can go camping, cliff-diving, and hang out with cool people.

Your days off are huge reasons to be a camp counselor, where you can see the U.S. your way.

Discover yourself at summer camp.

Summer camp helps you escape your comfort zone and discover things you never knew about yourself.

You’ll have free time, as well as your days off. You can choose to spend this time relaxing or join different groups in their activities.

If you’ve ever wanted to climb a rock wall, attempt a great leap of faith, or take a paddleboard out onto the open water, you can.

Be a leader all summer long.

At camp, one of the best reasons to be a camp counselor is that you’ll become an older brother or sister to your campers.

They’ll look up to you as you lead chants in the dining hall. They’ll come to you with advice on whether to audition for the drama play or try out for the basketball team.

And no matter how many years go by, they’ll continue to tell their camp stories about unforgettable memories you made.

13. You'll have incredible travel experiences

When summer camp ends, your travel adventure begins.

The choices are endless. We’re part of the Smaller Earth Group, so you can access exclusive offers for after-camp travel (such as with The Coyote Trip).

With the J-1 Visa, you have up to a month after camp to travel around America. You’ll be able to see America with friends, stay in your favourite city, or see it all with The Coyote Trip (who have 10% off all tours, just for Camp Leaders applicants).

You'll be a new you.

One of the major reasons to be a camp counselor is the profound impact it has on you as a person.

Camp changes you in so many ways. You'll emerge from the summer a more confident, open, and happy person, and you can bring that forward in your everyday life.

On top of the memories you'll make, you'll have a better sense of purpose from camp and maybe even discover what you want to do in the future.

One thing's certain; you’ll never be the same again.

Other summer camp articles you'll like

• Summer Camp Events: 7 Fun Days to Mark in Your Diary

• 10 Summer Camp Hacks for Your First Summer at Camp

• 6 Essential Summer Camp Items All Staff Need to Take