Why Working at Camp is the Best First Job

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Why Working at Camp is the Best First Job 

With summer quickly approaching, many high school and college-age students are deciding how to spend their summer break.  For young people interested in a rewarding job with so many benefits, look no further than working as a camp counselor at a day or overnight camp. 

Working at a summer camp gives young people hands-on work experience, the chance to make a difference in children’s lives and the opportunity to socialize with peers. 

Being a counselor allows teens and college aged students to work outside all day while gaining skills that will prepare them for any future career. 

“The type of skills young people leave camp with aren’t the ones learned in school.  They are the non-cognitive skills which are the practical skills that they will need for any job,” explains Mark Transport, Owner and Director of Crestwood Country Day Camp on Long Island and co-owner of Camp Southwoods, an overnight camp in the Adirondacks. 

“For all future employment, it’s important to be flexible, to be able to work as part of a team and have good communication skills.  At camp, you aren’t only communicating with people your age but with young kids and also older adults. 

There are lots of decisions being made each day and you learn to make quick decisions that will provide the best experience for children. Making these hundreds of decisions each day will become natural and is a great skill to have.” 

Christie Ko, Executive Director of the youth development organization Fiver Children’s Foundation, which operates Camp Fiver in upstate New York, feels that one of the benefits of working at a camp is that they are run by youth development specialists who have the skills to work with young people. 

“There is an awareness of how young people develop, what they need and how we can support them in their first few years in the work world. We know young people’s brains aren’t fully developed and we can support them in their learning experience.”   Counselors are supported daily, with multiple check-ins by supervisors and staff training that goes on throughout the summer. 

“There are meetings and trainings all summer, with supervisors letting them know what is being done right, what should be done to handle different situations that arise and helping counselors make changes right when they are happening,” says Transport.  “Camp counselors are supported every step of the way at camp.”  

One of the coolest things about working at camp is that it’s a very social job.  Young people have the chance to meet new friends, all around the same ages as themselves.  “Camp allows young people to meet others that may have similar interests like the love of being outdoors, playing sports or doing art. 

Working at camp helps you find people you may enjoy spending time with which is just another added benefit of working at camp,” explains Transport.

Ko says that today’s young people want to know they are making a difference.  “Today’s youth are altruistic.  They want to make a difference, give back, make the world a better place and level the playing field.  When you look at a camp like Fiver that has an important mission, it takes working at camp to a whole other level.”

Alicia Skovera, Executive Director of the American Camp Association, NY and NJ says it’s not too late to apply for a counselor position.

“The demand for quality camp programs is high this summer after the disruptions COVID caused for so many children. Many of our camps are reporting camper waiting lists and the need to hire additional staff.  If you enjoy working with children and are looking for a summer job that will be both rewarding and enriching, apply to work at camp.” 

Those 16-years-old and older can apply to work at day camp and those 18-years-old and older are eligible to work at overnight camp. 

Transport says, “Working at camp is a job you will always remember. Many people go back year after year because of the sense of purpose it provides.   Besides the incredible skill development that will be gained and the friendships made, you will have a true impact on the lives of children.”

Psst… Check out Sending your Child to Camp: Digging Deeper into Camp Experience

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Adirondack Camp

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Established in 1904, Adirondack Camp is a traditional, overnight co-ed camp for boys and girls ages 7 to 16 located on world-famous Lake George in beautiful Upstate New York.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Welcome to one of the best and oldest traditional overnight summer camps in the United States. For over a century, Adirondack Camp has been an extraordinary place where unforgettable memories, bold hearts, and lifelong friendships are made. Our co-ed camp is situated on a gorgeous, private peninsula with 1.8 miles of Lake George shoreline in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• Co-ed sleepaway for ages 7-16</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• 30+ activities across land, water, and the Arts</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• Rustic, open-air cabins</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• 3:1 Camper-to-counselor ratio</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• Amazing wilderness trips program</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• Global Community: Campers and staff from around the world!</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• A Century-Old, Generational Color War</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• 4-, 6-, and 8-week sessions</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• 2-week option for first-timers, ages 7-9</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For dates + rates and more info, please visit </span><a style="text-decoration-line: none;" href="https://www.adirondackcamp.com/"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #1155cc; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AdirondackCamp.com</span></a></p>

Dwight Summer Camp

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Mix and match weeks — and make summer your own!</strong> We offer children ages 4-12 a wide range of age-appropriate creative, athletic, and action-packed activities! Campers can also focus on one area in our Specialty Camps, from dodgeball and tennis, to theater and performing arts. With swim instruction in our six-lane indoor pool, great trips, and Friday PJ-DJ parties, the fun never ends!</p> <p dir="ltr">We offer chaperoned bus transportation and extended day options. Learn more at an Open House, meet our team of Camp professionals, and see why Dwight Summer Camp is the right fit for your child!</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Open Houses:</strong> March 11, 3 pm; April 13, 5:30 pm (virtual); May 6, 3 pm</p> <p dir="ltr">Register for an Open House <a href="https://dwightsummercamp.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://dwightsummercamp.org/&source=gmail&ust=1678381305752000&usg=AOvVaw3px3zJN2Ske-QDJAX_pEGA">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Register for Camp <a href="https://dwightsummercamp.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://dwightsummercamp.org/&source=gmail&ust=1678381305752000&usg=AOvVaw3px3zJN2Ske-QDJAX_pEGA">here</a> and use <strong>code NYF23 to save 3%!</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>We Believe in Summer!</strong></p>

New Country Day Camp

<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: #ffffff;">Transportation is provided from Manhattan and Brooklyn to Staten Island’s 75-acre Henry Kaufmann Campground, where swimming pools, hiking trails, and open meadows set the scene for a summer of adventure and enrichment. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: #ffffff;">New Country Day Camp, a program of the 14th Street Y and Educational Alliance, is a joyful and inclusive community where campers, families and staff build meaningful connections with each other and the natural world around them, and experience personal growth through high-quality programs that are rooted in the outdoors and guided by Jewish values.</span></p>