Types of summer camps in the USA and camp counselor duties

The types of summer camps in the USA fall along two lines: whether campers stay overnight (sleepaway or day camp) and what the camp focuses on (sports, arts, science, special needs, scouting or faith). Most camps combine several activity areas, and there are girls', boys' and co-ed camps too.

Whichever camp you join, your job has the same heart: keeping children safe and giving them an unforgettable summer. For an overview of the program, visit our Camp and Travel program page.

Sleepaway camps

Campers stay for one to several weeks. Counselors usually live in the same cabin as their campers, with shared rooms and bathrooms. Days are packed from morning to night, and campfires and evening activities are what these camps are famous for.

Day camps

Kids usually come to camp Monday to Friday during the day and go home in the evening. The pace is busy during the day, leaving you more free time in the evenings and on weekends. At day camps, too, room and board for J-1 counselors are usually arranged as part of the package.

These camps go deep in one area: soccer, tennis, basketball or horseback riding camps; painting, music, dance and theater camps; science, technology and nature education camps. Because they call for real expertise, candidates with a background as an athlete, artist or instructor stand out here.

These camps serve children and adults with physical or intellectual disabilities, and for many counselors they become the most meaningful experience of the summer. No prior experience is required; the training you need is provided at camp. If you're patient, empathetic and a natural team player, you'll come home having learned a great deal.

Many camps in America are run by youth organizations, scout groups, associations or faith communities. You may not need to share a camp's faith to work there, but you'll be expected to respect its values. Camps serving young people from disadvantaged backgrounds also belong to this group.

The season starts with staff training before campers arrive, usually lasting 5–10 days and covering safety, first response, communicating with kids and camp culture. Most camps give you some free time every day and a set number of full days off during the season, which you can use to explore nearby towns or simply recharge.

The rules are there to keep children safe. At most camps, for example, you don't use your phone while you're with campers; phones are for set times of day. We'll go over all of it at your orientation.

Camp placement is handled by the sponsor organization and the camps: your sponsor shares your profile with camp directors, an interested camp invites you to an interview, and then offers you a position. Our role is to make sure you go into that process with the strongest possible profile:

• Preparing your application form to highlight your skills
• Planning your references and your short intro video
• Helping you rehearse for your camp director interview
• Reviewing your camp offer with you when it arrives

If you haven't checked the requirements yet, start with our camp counselor requirements page. If you're a university student, you can also look at Work and Travel jobs.