If you’re thinking about working at a summer camp in America, one of the first things to understand is the difference between being a general counsellor and an activity counsellor.
Both roles give you the chance to spend your summer living and working at an American summer camp, make friends from around the world and play a huge part in giving campers an unforgettable summer. But your day-to-day responsibilities can be quite different.
What is a General Counsellor?
A general camp counsellor is primarily responsible for looking after a group of campers throughout their day.
You’ll usually live in a cabin with your campers and other counsellors, join them at mealtimes and accompany them to different activities around camp.
Think of yourself as part mentor, part big brother or sister and part professional entertainer!
General counsellors help make sure campers are happy, safe and getting involved. One minute you could be encouraging someone to try kayaking for the first time, and the next you could be helping organise a campfire or evening game.
This role is a great option if you’re enthusiastic, adaptable and enjoy working with children but don’t necessarily have one specialist activity that you want to teach.
What is an Activity Counsellor?
An activity counsellor, sometimes called an activity specialist or instructor, spends more of their time teaching a particular activity.
Summer camps offer a huge range of activities, including:
Football and other sports
Swimming and lifeguarding
Kayaking and watersports
Rock climbing
Tennis
Arts and crafts
Performing arts
Outdoor adventure activities
If you already have experience or a strong skill in a particular area, an activity counsellor position could be perfect for you.
Rather than travelling between activities with one group of campers, different groups will usually come to your activity throughout the day and you’ll help teach, coach and encourage them.
Depending on the camp, activity counsellors may also have cabin and general camper-supervision responsibilities.
General Counsellor vs Activity Counsellor: Which Should You Choose?
It really comes down to your personality and your skills.
If you love working with people, want plenty of variety and like the idea of becoming a key part of your campers’ everyday experience, general counselling could be a great fit.
If you have a particular sport, hobby or skill that you love and would enjoy teaching it every day, consider applying for an activity counsellor role.
And don’t worry if you’re unsure. As part of your Gapforce Camp USA application, we’ll look at your experience, interests and skills to help you find summer camp jobs that suit you.
Ready to Work at a Summer Camp in America?
Whether you become a general counsellor or an activity counsellor, you’ll spend your summer gaining leadership experience, meeting new people and becoming part of one of America’s most iconic summer traditions.
With Gapforce Camp USA, you can explore opportunities at summer camps across the United States and find a role that matches your personality and skills.
Apply for Gapforce Camp USA today. Click HERE to start your application.
Have a question? Email us at campusa@gapforce.org, or call us on (0)207 384 3028.
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