Applying for a summer camp job is a unique opportunity to combine a passion for the outdoors, a love of working with children, and the chance to develop lifelong skills. But to stand out in a pool of camp counselor applicants, you need a resume that highlights your abilities, experience, and enthusiasm in a way that speaks directly to camp directors. At Summer Camp Counselor Jobs, our experts have applied to hundreds of camps and learned a great deal from the experience. Here are our top tips on how to craft a resume that not only gets noticed but also helps you land the job!
1. Start with a Strong Summary Statement
Your resume should begin with a brief, impactful summary that captures who you are and why you’re a perfect fit for a camp role. Think of it as a mini elevator pitch: highlight your skills, experience, and passion for camp work in two or three sentences.
Example:
“Enthusiastic and reliable camp counselor with 3 years of experience leading outdoor activities and developing team-building programs for children ages 8-15. Known for creating a fun, safe environment and building positive camper relationships. Excited to bring creativity and energy to Camp Sunshine this summer.”
This summary quickly tells the hiring manager what you offer and sets a positive tone for the rest of the resume.
2. Highlight Relevant Experience
Focus on work experience that shows you have the skills necessary to excel in a camp setting. This might include previous camp roles, volunteer work, or jobs in education, recreation, or leadership. Even if you don’t have formal camp experience, highlight any role that involved leadership, communication, or working with children.
Organize your experience with clear job titles, dates, and bullet points that show your responsibilities and accomplishments. Use action verbs like “led,” “organized,” and “mentored” to convey your impact.
Example:
Camp Counselor – Woodland Trails Camp
June 2022 – August 2023
- Led groups of 10-15 campers in outdoor activities, including hiking, swimming, and arts and crafts.
- Implemented daily team-building exercises that improved camper collaboration and confidence.
- Recognized as “Counselor of the Month” for excellent leadership and camper engagement.
3. Emphasize Skills Specific to Camp Roles
To create a winning resume, highlight skills that are crucial for camp jobs. These can include:
- Leadership: Show how you’ve successfully guided or supervised groups.
- Communication: Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with campers and staff.
- Problem-Solving: Mention examples of how you handled challenges or made quick decisions.
- Creativity: Highlight experiences where you created or adapted activities for children.
- Safety and First Aid: Include any relevant certifications, such as CPR or First Aid, which are highly valued in camp settings.
Tip: Customize your skills to align with the camp’s specific needs based on the job listing. For example, if the camp emphasizes nature programs, highlight your experience with outdoor activities.
4. Add Certifications and Specialized Training
Camp directors often look for candidates with specific certifications, especially in safety, outdoor skills, or specialty areas like swimming or sports. If you hold any certifications that will benefit campers or support camp operations, list them in a separate section to make them easy to spot.
Examples of certifications to include:
- CPR and First Aid (essential for almost any camp position)
- Lifeguard Certification (if the camp involves water activities)
- Wilderness First Responder (great for camps focused on outdoor exploration)
- Childcare Certification (if applicable)
5. Showcase Your Personality Through Hobbies and Interests
Camps are looking for individuals who are not only responsible but also bring enthusiasm, creativity, and fun to their roles. Use a short section at the bottom of your resume to list hobbies and interests that are relevant to camp life. Include activities that showcase your love for the outdoors, teamwork, or creative skills.
Examples:
- Rock climbing, kayaking, and hiking
- Playing guitar and leading sing-alongs
- Arts and crafts projects
- Interest in nature conservation
These additions help camp directors see that you’ll be a positive, well-rounded presence for the campers.
Creating a resume for a camp job can be a rewarding process, allowing you to highlight the skills and experiences that make you a great fit for working with campers. By showcasing relevant skills, certifications, and your passion for camp life, you can craft a resume that will resonate with camp directors and help you stand out in a competitive field.
Wait… Wanna Skip the Resume??
Here at Camp Augusta, we take a different approach to our hiring process. Instead of asking for resumes, we invite applicants to complete a set of thoughtful, introspective questions that allow us to really get to know who you are. We believe this approach provides us with a clearer picture of your personality, strengths, and values, all of which are important for building a close-knit and inspiring camp community.
If you’re looking to skip the resume-building process and instead dive into questions that encourage self-reflection and authenticity, consider applying to join us at Camp Augusta. Our application process is designed to help us connect with individuals who are truly aligned with our mission to create memorable, growth-centered experiences for campers.
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!
