5 Reasons You Should Be a Y Camp Counselor This Summer

With the official first day of summer right around the corner, it’s time for many college students and young adults to think about summer employment. While a steady paycheck and schedule is nice, being a camp counselor has many other rewards too, from hands-on training opportunities to practical life skills. Plus, it’s just fun.

Here are five reasons why being a Y day camp counselor is the best summer job you will ever have.

1. Unplug and Enjoy the Outdoors. Most camps have a no device policy or only allow them for short periods during the day, which means that as a camp counselor, you’ll spend your days surrounded by nature, overseeing outdoor games, working alongside your peers, and establishing those all-so-important face-to-face, personal connections.
2. Steady Summer Employment. A camp counselor position offers steady employment and set hours for those students looking for stable, full-time summer work.  When you commit to a counselor position, you’ll be guaranteed roughly six weeks of nearly full-time employment and will likely know your work schedule from day one ––no waiting to see what shifts you are given or what days you’ll be working.
3. Build Your Resume. Being a camp counselor is more than just singing campfire songs––it’s most definitely a real job, one where you will develop real-world leadership, critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills while learning how to work as part of a team. You’ll hone your listening skills, improve your time-management abilities, and learn how to be adaptable and flexible as you navigate challenges that may pop up. These are all extremely valuable skills that translate into other careers and will help you stand out to potential employers.
4. More than Just a Job. As a Y camp counselor, you’ll be responsible for helping your campers have the best summer of their lives, and seeing the kids you work with smile, laugh, and grow is an incredible feeling. You’ll also become a role model, and the relationships you build and the lessons you impart can leave a lasting positive impression. Very few summer jobs allow you to have such a profound impact.
5. Counselors Create Lasting Memories Too. Whether it’s the bonds created with your campers, or the friendships you develop with your peers, counselors also walk away from their summer camp experience with memories to last a lifetime. They may also find it to be a transformative personal experience, surprising themselves with newfound patience, responsibility and confidence.