Interviewing for a camp counselor job? Congrats! Making it to the interview stage in the summer camp application process is exciting — and sometimes nerve-wracking. The interview is often the final step that can make or break your chances of getting an offer. Being well-prepared for your camp counselor job interview can help you make a strong impression and leave no doubt about your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role. At Summer Camp Counselor Jobs, our experts provide resources to help you land your dream summer camp job.
For more advice on getting noticed in the application process, check out these additional resources:
- Guide To Nailing A Summer Camp Counselor Interview
- 5 Must-Know Tips For Getting Hired At A Summer Camp
- How To Apply To Summer Camps
- Get A Job At A Summer Camp In America
To stand out in any interview, have thoughtful questions prepared for the interviewer. Asking questions beyond what can be read in the job description shows your interest in the camp, highlights your organization, and reinforces your fit for the position. We’ve compiled a list of essential questions to ask during your next summer camp job interview to give you an edge.
1. Are there any projects I can contribute to right away or after the summer season?
A lot of work goes into making summer camps run successfully, and most of that work happens in the months leading up to and directly following the main season. Expressing interest in learning how you can help shows that you know how camps operate, are a problem-solver, and are willing to take initiative. Additionally, many camps place a high value on applicants who have the potential to return for multiple summers. If you have the capacity to help in the off-season, your investment in the camp will definitely help you to stand out from the crowd.
Of course, be sure that you only make this offer if you have the capacity to take on something new! Suppose you don’t have the time to take on any extra projects. In that case, it’s okay to simply express your curiosity about how the camp prepares for summer, so you could instead ask something like: “What is the size of your year-round team?” or “How are decisions made about the upcoming summer?” or “What kinds of projects are you still hoping to finish before summer starts?”
At Camp Augusta, we host family camps, school field trips, and more prior to and after the summer and LOVE it when our summer staff have the availability to help out with those. Not only do we find it beneficial for counselors to have the extra experience leading our activities before the summer starts, but staff who come early also find themselves more settled when the summer comes around.
2. What else do you think I need to know to be prepared to have a successful summer?
At this point, you should have thoroughly scoured whatever information is available on the camp’s website, but no amount of pre-camp ‘homework’ can truly prepare you for the summer ahead. The interview is your chance to talk with someone who knows what the day-to-day of this camp actually looks like. Asking a question like this shows your interviewer that you are excited, prepared, and want to do a good job. Similarly, you could ask something like: “Is there anything that tends to surprise most people about the work/summer/campers?” Your genuine curiosity will help your interviewer remember you fondly, and you will gain some valuable insight on how to best prepare for the summer ahead.
3. How has the camp changed since your first summer?
Your interview could offer you some great insight into a camp’s ability, or reluctance, to grow and change. You may know that you thrive in an environment that embraces process development, or maybe you long to work somewhere that places a high value on tradition. Either way, this question will help you determine if this is the right camp for you, and it will also show the hiring manager that you have an interest in the direction and growth of the camp.
4. What has made working at this camp different from anywhere else you’ve worked?
Getting some insight about the camp through the voice of someone who works there is often far more enlightening than whatever you may find on their website. Asking a question like this will hopefully excite the interviewer, but if it doesn’t, that may be a pretty telling sign. In our experience, long-time camp employees tend to be full of stories that they’re all too happy to share. Remember, your goal is the same as the interviewer’s – you are both confirming that this is a good match. With a question like this, you should be able to get an idea about why employees have loved working at this particular camp.
5. Is there anything else you need to know in order to feel confident about my fit for this role?
A question like this allows you to address any concerns that may be lingering for your interviewer while showcasing your willingness to be vulnerable and accept feedback. Similarly, you could ask: “Do you have any concerns regarding my being a fit for this role?”, or “Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful?”
Ending an interview in this way should help to give you and the interviewer a clear picture of whether or not the role is a good fit.
At Summer Camp Counselor Jobs, it is our intention to inspire you as you prepare for your summer camp interview. Don’t be afraid to ask other questions that will help you determine if this position aligns with your goals and values. After all, finding the right summer camp job is about mutual fit — you want to ensure that both you and the camp will benefit from the experience.
Want to know more? Check out our comprehensive resources on how to land your dream summer camp job, and consider applying for Camp Augusta’s upcoming summer season today!
