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The Top 10 In-Demand Summer Camp Skills

There are so many summer camp skills that directors rate that we guarantee your skillset will be there.

No matter your skill, if you're an outgoing person ready to work hard and make an impact, we'll find you a job at summer camp.

But if you've got one of the following 10 summer camp skills, you'll be snapped up by Camp Directors quicker than you can say, "summer of a lifetime."

Author: Natasha
17 Dec 12:15

Applying for camp is an exciting process. But how can you make your application stand out above the rest?

I've been to camp 3 times and gone through the application process twice. There's always that little anxious/exhilarating wait for a camp to pick you, so you can learn your new home and prepare for the summer of your life.

If you want to make it even easier for Camp Directors to pick you, here are 10 in-demand summer camp skills that'll land you a job in no time.

If you have one or more of these summer camp skills, ensure you get them into your Camp Leaders application today.

Summer Camp Skills Recap
  • Horse Riding
  • Special Activity Leaders
  • Special Needs Training
  • Lifeguards
  • Art & Design
  • Soccer (sorry, football)
  • Childcare
  • Outdoor Activities
  • Guides & Scouts
  • Leadership experience ________________________

Got one of these summer camp skills? Read more on each below.

Horse Riding

There are tonnes of summer camps in America that have horse riding jobs available.

They need certified and trained counsellors to look after the horses throughout the summer and ensure their camper's safety.

Your horse riding hobby or years of competing just put you at the top of the private camp lists.

Prepare for some great American names for these horses! Ace, Major and Trigger, to name a few.

You can find out more about horse riding jobs at summer camp here.

Special Activity Leaders

Special activities on camp require trained supervision and an experienced hand.

There would be activities such as Riflery, Fencing, Archery, etc. Most camps need you to be certified, but some will be happy with just experience to then train you at camp.

You may need an American teaching qualification which they will require you to pass before the summer starts (which they'll help sort).

Arrows and swords… You can see why it needs a trained hand.

To find out more, click here on each of these activities: Archery jobs, Fencing Jobs

Special Needs Training

Some camps have children who need specialist counselors to assist them with everyday camp life.

They want the same experience as every other kid. If you have training in this area, you might be needed by either a Special Needs camp or as a specialist at another camp.

Read more about special needs counselor jobs here.

Lifeguards

Lifeguarding is a skill which usually needs certification before camp. As such, it's one of the massively in-demand summer camp skills.

You can achieve this skill within a few months if you're not qualified.

Camp agencies typically let you know of Lifeguarding courses in your area. You will obviously need to be a strong swimmer, be able to keep an eye on several kids at once in the pool, and look fabulous in the colour red!

You’ll be living the Baywatch dream before you know it!

Here's more information on lifeguarding jobs at summer camp.

Arts & Crafts

Arts and crafts is one of the activity highlights for most counselors.

The chance to let your kids loose on paint and pottery for an hour a day while you make a creation of your own….it's organised chaos for the arts team. Sorry team!

Yes, camps need counselors who are skilled in arts and crafts.

Teachers! You'll need to plan your lessons and help the kids make wonderful masterpieces to take home to their parents. You will also need to be excellent at cleaning up; there'll be a lot of it.

Here's more information on art and crafts jobs at summer camp.

Soccer Coaches

Some camps specialise in just football…sorry, soccer! (I'm afraid you'll have to get used to saying soccer.)

Pretty much every camp will have a soccer program and even compete against other camps in tournaments. You might even have an in-camp game with you and the other staff.

If not, you'll probably play lots in your free time with the other counselors, a dream for footy fanatics.

Find out more about soccer jobs at camp.

Childcare

Babysit? You're about to look after a dozen children at once!

Camps like to look out for possible counselors with babysitting or childcare skills under their belt.

Some camps do babysitting lessons for their campers, or you might even be hired to be the camp nanny for a member of the head staff's newborn baby.

Even if you've never babysat, maybe you have a little brother or sister you occasionally look after? It still counts!

Read more about camp counselor jobs at camp.

Outdoor Activities

Calling all Bear Grylls wannabes! If you are happier outside, camping or living off the land…camps rate this as one of the most sought-after summer camp skills.

Camps have a range of outdoor activities like Farming, Outpost, Outdoor cooking, Ropes course, and even Outdoor Survival skills.

You might even venture into the wilderness with your bunk for at least one night during camp. Sleeping under the stars! Yes! So if you don't like creepy crawlies or the dark, this one isn't for you.

That Duke of Edinburgh Award is about to come to some good use!

Here's more info on outdoor education jobs abroad.

Girl Guides & Scouts

America is BIG on scout programs.

They even have camps just for Girl Guides and Scouts!

Be prepared to enjoy the outdoors, nature at its best, hiking and chilling by the lake with your campers.

So calling all Eagle scouts and Baden Powells, your hard work is about to pay off and give young scouts and guides the summer of their lives!

Here's more info on our girl scouts summer camps.

Management or Leadership Skills

Most leadership roles get given out in your second year, but they still look for potential leaders who they think would return each summer.

Returners are valuable to camps. They know what they are doing and can show the new staff the ropes.

Roles include Bunk leaders to potential heads of staff. Plus, don't forget there are also Colour war Leaders, which is the highest honour at camp!

If you don't have one of the above summer camp skills above… don't worry!

More than anything, summer camps look for fun, outgoing, and active people who will ensure their campers have the best summer ever.

Head to our application page to begin your dream summer in America today.

Visit Natasha's blog for more great tips and tricks about summer camp and travel.

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Natasha
Meet Natasha, a keen adventurer, blogger and all-around summer camp enthusiast. We always love what she has to say and we're sure you will too!

Got one of these summer camp skills? We need you.

Start your American summer camp adventure today.