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Does
this describe you or someone you know?
You love the outdoors. You love hiking and
biking and so on. When you channel surf,
Mountain Dew commercials really grab your
attention. And -- your good friend says
you're great with kids.
If you relate to this, then
there's the perfect place waiting for you
and needing you: summer camp. Over half
a million college students will find their
way from their campus to camp this coming
summer to fill openings at approximately
8,500 camps across the United States. One
problem though -- there are more jobs to
fill than there are people seeking them.
So the American Camping Association, the
group that sets the standards for the summer
camp profession, is beginning its work now
to connect interested college students to
great summer jobs.
Now there's nothing's wrong
with spending the summer behind a desk or
a cash register, but consider this:
- live, play, and work in the great outdoors;
- go on active adventures;
- experience other parts of the country;
- make new friends from all over -- even
from other countries;
- bank more money that you think -- with
few expenses;
- become a child's hero.
All of this, plus you can
put your education to work. Camp jobs offer
invaluable skill-building, leadership, training,
and enrichment opportunities found nowhere
else. Regardless of your college major,
camp experiences allow you to learn and
develop skills that will enhance your job
marketability. The benefits go far beyond
a paycheck, too. Business executives often
note that experience as a camp counselor
translates into excellent management and
personnel skills. College credit can sometimes
be obtained from working at camp. Check
with your college advisor to see if you
qualify.
Camp jobs are everywhere and
for everyone. No matter where you're from
or what your ability level, if you love
kids and enjoy the outdoors, you could fill
a variety of camp jobs. And in most cases
no experience is necessary.
- Counselors interact personally
with campers and lead them through activities.
At resident camps, counselors live with
campers and at day camps they may travel
with the campers on a bus to and from
camp.
- Program Staff teach arts and
crafts, archery, swimming, team and individual
sports, horseback riding, boating, music,
drama, dance, radio/TV, computers, rock
climbing, nature studies, and more.
- Lifeguards work at the camp's
swimming and boating areas. Consideration
is given to students with proper certifications
such as advanced lifesaving.
- Other jobs include food service directors
and cooks, buildings and grounds, drivers,
trip leaders, and office assistants.
Salaries for counselors or comparable positions
generally range from $1,000 to $3,000 for
the camp season and up to $4,000 for persons
who are certified in lifeguard training
and other skilled positions. Room and board
is provided at most camps. Laundry services
plus health and accident insurance may also
be included.
But wait -- there's more. Experts agree
that working at a summer camp packs powerful
potential. "I'm impressed with how
frequently and how much summer camp experiences
have influenced young adults' lives,"
says Bruce Muchnick, Ed.D., a licensed psychologist
who works extensively with day and resident
camps. Summer camp is a special place where
children and adults come together and form
a unique community. In this setting, young
adults working as counselors have the opportunity
to:
- master real-life problem-solving skills;
- have a significant and positive influence
in the lives of children;
- develop greater self-understanding;
- participate in experiences that enhance
personal growth; and
- develop/expand a network of peer relations.
If you are considering a camp
job, check to see if the camp is accredited
by the American Camping Association. By
definition, ACA-accredited camps comply
with the association's standards,
and their owners and directors subscribe
to ACA's code of ethics. As a result, ACA-accredited
camps provide written employment agreements
and personnel policies. An employment agreement
should give the job description, salary,
pay dates, benefits, and terms of employment.
Personnel policies spell out how the camp
handles time off, absence from work, performance
evaluations, and requirements for health
examinations.
Find out all the ways ACA
can help you find a great
job at camp!
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