Summer Camp as a Summer Job

Summer Camp as a Summer Job pixabay.com Summer break is the perfect time to make some extra money without the schedule constraints of class. There are many different types of jobs that you can go for at many different skill levels. From retail jobs  and restaurant jobs to office work, many companies are willing to hire summer employees. If the thought of sitting in an office all day or working a deep frier for hours on end makes you antsy just to imagine, there is another great option for a summer job: summer camp counselor. Being a summer camp counselor is a great job for college students over their summer break. One of the biggest draws of working a summer camp is the active nature of the job. You get to spend your days outdoors playing and enjoying nature. It’s a great way to see a new part of the country and experience the wildlife in that area. Being a camp counselor can help you cultivate valuable leadership skills that will be applicable in any profession. Learning how to lead children is one of the best ways to get hands-on experience in fundamental leadership methods. Connecting with kids can also be an incredibly meaningful personal experience. The relationships you cultivate with other counselors is a great way to not only expand your network but create lasting friendships. If you are thinking about applying to be a summer camp counselor, here are some things to keep in mind. Be prepared for hard times Being a camp counselor can be hard. Don’t underestimate the difficulty of managing a bunch of seven-year-olds in a wide open space. If you are going to be a camp counselor, you have to be prepared to wear many different hats. You need to be able to straddle the line of friend and counselor. You should have genuine fun with your kids, but you also need to be able to lay some discipline on them if the opportunity warrants it. It’s not always frisbee and swimming; sometimes you have to step up and be their leader as well as a comforting figure for them to lean on. Become comfortable with teaching Being a camp counselor means being a friend to your kids, but it also means teaching them. Whether you’re teaching them a class about arts and crafts or teaching them about the local wildlife while on a hike, you will learn, and should be prepared to learn, how to help others learn. This is a skill that will prove valuable throughout your entire life. Whether you are looking to enter a profession that requires pure teaching or if you are entering a profession that will involve explaining your ideas and reasoning, being able to teach kids about things in simple terms will remain useful beyond the summer. Get ahead professionally Working as a camp counselor might just seem like a fun personal experience, but it will really help you as you move forward in your academic career and eventual profession. Communicating well with kids will help you communicate well with adults, which shines through in interviews, presentations, and any communal situation. You will gain incredible problem-solving skills that are necessary for caring for children that will translate well into any fast-moving environment. This is a huge draw for employers and will show through in your academic work as well. And of course, being a camp counselor means being a leader. Leading well and efficiently is one of the most important skills that you can have in your academic and professional life. If these features of being a camp counselor sound appealing to you, you should seriously consider applying for a position. The first step you will need to take is to research some camps and their application requirements and deadlines. Camp counselor positions are incredibly sought after and will often give priority to applicants who are also ex-campers, so it’s best to get your application in as early as possible. If you are an ex-camper looking to be a counselor at your old camp, research your camps application process for ex-campers as many places offer an early application process for old campers. If you aren’t an ex-camper, you still have a chance, but make sure you have a stellar resume and cover letter to show. If you are not familiar with what your resume and cover letters should contain for a counselor position, there are tons of templates that you can find online to help you out. While summer is far away, it’s never too early to think about what you are going to do to fill your time and make some money. Being a camp counselor is a great job for college students and one that everyone should at least consider.