Summer Camp Counselor Resume examples & templates
Copyable Summer Camp Counselor Resume examples
Remember that summer when you learned to shoot a bow and arrow, or finally conquered your fear of the high dive? Behind those memories stood a camp counselor—someone who wasn't just supervising, but actively shaping those transformative experiences. Summer camp counselors don't just watch kids; they build confidence, foster independence, and create the kind of memories that stick around for decades. It's no surprise that according to the American Camp Association, over 82% of campers say their counselors helped them feel good about themselves. That's not just childcare—that's life-changing impact.
The field has evolved significantly in recent years, with many camps now offering specialized programs in STEM, arts, and wilderness skills that require counselors with more targeted expertise. Mental health awareness has also reshaped the role, with many camps providing additional training on supporting emotional wellbeing and inclusive environments. For college students and educators looking for meaningful summer work, counselor positions offer more than just a paycheck—they provide leadership experience, relationship-building skills, and the chance to make a real difference during those critical developmental years. As outdoor education continues to gain recognition as an essential complement to traditional schooling, skilled camp counselors will remain in high demand.
Junior Summer Camp Counselor Resume Example
EMMA RODRIGUEZ
Chicago, IL | (312) 555-8762 | e.rodriguez@email.com | linkedin.com/in/emmarodriguez
Energetic and caring camp counselor with 2 years of experience supervising children in outdoor recreational settings. Known for creating engaging activities that promote teamwork and personal growth. CPR and First Aid certified with a background in childhood development and a genuine passion for helping kids build confidence through fun, educational experiences.
EXPERIENCE
Lead Camp Counselor, Lakeview Summer Adventures, Chicago, IL | May 2023 – Present
- Supervise group of 12 campers (ages 8-10) through daily activities including sports, arts & crafts, and nature exploration
- Create and lead 3 new team-building exercises that were adopted by the entire camp program
- Mentor 2 junior counselors, providing guidance on behavior management and activity planning
- Communicate with parents through weekly updates and address individual concerns
- Responded to a minor medical emergency by properly administering first aid and following protocol, earning recognition from camp director
Junior Camp Counselor, Lakeview Summer Adventures, Chicago, IL | June 2022 – August 2022
- Assisted senior counselors with daily activities for groups of 10-15 campers ages 6-12
- Led morning check-ins and afternoon reflection circles to build community among campers
- Organized supply inventory for arts & crafts activities, reducing waste by 17%
- Helped plan and execute end-of-summer talent show for 87 campers and their families
Camp Volunteer, YMCA Youth Program, Chicago, IL | Summers 2020-2021
- Supported full-time staff with daily operations for 6-week summer program
- Assisted with setup and cleanup of activity areas and meal times
- Engaged children in games and sports during free play periods
EDUCATION
Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education (In Progress)
Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL | Expected Graduation: May 2024
Current GPA: 3.76/4.0
High School Diploma
Lincoln Park High School, Chicago, IL | May 2021
Activities: Varsity Soccer Team, Peer Mentoring Program
CERTIFICATIONS
- American Red Cross CPR & First Aid Certification (2023)
- Youth Mental Health First Aid (2022)
- Basic Water Safety Certification (2022)
SKILLS
- Activity Planning & Execution
- Behavior Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Team Building
- Parent Communication
- Emergency Response
- Basic Spanish (conversational)
- Outdoor Education
- Arts & Crafts Instruction
- Microsoft Office Suite
Mid-level Summer Camp Counselor Resume Example
Jasmine Reyes
Tucson, AZ 85719 | (520) 555-4197 | j.reyes@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jasminereyes
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Dedicated Camp Counselor with 5+ years guiding campers ages 7-16 in outdoor education and personal growth activities. Certified in First Aid/CPR and Wilderness Safety with proven track record
developing creative programming that balances fun with learning objectives. Known for building inclusive environments where kids from diverse backgrounds feel valued and supported.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lead Camp Counselor | Saguaro Wilderness Camp | Tucson, AZ | May 2020 – Present
- Supervise team of 6 junior counselors while directly managing groups of 14-18 campers during 8-week summer sessions and weekend programs
- Designed and implemented “Nature Navigators” curriculum that increased camper engagement by 37% and is now used camp-wide
- Coordinate with parents on camper needs, including managing specialized care for children with anxiety, ADHD and dietary restrictions
- Led overnight backpacking trips for teenage campers, teaching wilderness skills while fostering leadership and teamwork
- Created conflict resolution workshop that reduced cabin disputes by 41% compared to previous summers
Camp Counselor | Pine Valley Youth Camp | Flagstaff, AZ | Summers 2018-2020
- Supervised groups of 10-12 campers (ages 8-12) throughout daily activities including swimming, archery, crafts and team sports
- Collaborated with 3 other counselors to develop weekly talent shows and campfire programs that became camp favorites
- Maintained detailed daily logs of camper behavior, achievements and concerns for parent communications
- Assisted waterfront director with swimming lessons and safety monitoring for 60+ campers
Junior Counselor | Camp Sonoran Sun | Phoenix, AZ | Summers 2016-2017
- Supported lead counselors with daily activities and cabin supervision for groups of elementary-aged campers
- Organized evening recreational activities including scavenger hunts and capture the flag
- Helped campers navigate homesickness and social challenges while building independence
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management | Arizona State University | 2019
Minor in Child Development | GPA: 3.7
CERTIFICATIONS
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR) – NOLS, renewed 2022
- American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification – Current
- CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers – American Red Cross, renewed 2023
- Youth Mental Health First Aid – National Council, 2021
SKILLS
- Activity planning & execution
- Conflict resolution
- Group leadership
- Risk management
- Outdoor education
- Special needs accommodation
- Team building facilitation
- Emergency response
- Parent communication
- Basic Spanish proficiency
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Volunteer | Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona | 2020-Present
Meet weekly with matched “Little” for mentoring activities and personal development.
Senior / Experienced Summer Camp Counselor Resume Example
MARCUS WILSON
Denver, CO 80202 • (720) 555-8943 • mwilson.camplife@email.com
linkedin.com/in/marcuswilson-youthdev • CPR/First Aid Certified
Dedicated Youth Development Professional with over 10 years of summer camp leadership experience. Known for creating age-appropriate programs that balance fun, safety, and education while fostering personal growth. Skilled at managing large groups of children (ages 5-16) and mentoring junior staff. Passionate about outdoor education and helping young people build confidence, resilience, and social skills in a tech-free environment.
EXPERIENCE
Senior Camp Director | Rocky Mountain Youth Camp | Boulder, CO | May 2019 – Present
- Oversee all aspects of residential camp operations for 175+ campers and 32 staff members across 8-week summer sessions
- Designed and implemented camp-wide safety protocols that reduced incident reports by 43% in first season
- Manage $287,000 annual program budget, consistently coming in 5-7% under budget while expanding activity offerings
- Lead staff recruitment, training, and performance management; retained 74% of counselors for multiple seasons
- Created specialized program tracks (wilderness survival, arts, STEM, leadership) that increased enrollment by 28%
- Maintain relationships with parents through weekly communications and handle sensitive issues with diplomacy
Lead Counselor & Program Coordinator | Sunshine Day Camp | Denver, CO | Summers 2016 – 2019
- Promoted from general counselor to lead position after 2 successful seasons
- Supervised team of 12 counselors and coordinated daily schedules for 85 campers aged 7-12
- Developed and led popular “Adventure Fridays” program featuring off-site excursions and challenges
- Implemented behavior management system that decreased disciplinary issues by 31%
- Created inclusive programming for children with varying abilities, including those with ADHD, autism, and anxiety
Camp Counselor | Mountain View Summer Camp | Colorado Springs, CO | Summers 2013 – 2015
- Supervised groups of 10-12 campers (ages 8-10) during daily activities and overnight stays
- Led specialized activities in outdoor skills, including fire building, basic navigation, and environmental education
- Recognized as “Counselor of the Month” twice for exceptional programming and camper engagement
- Helped develop rainy day activity plans that became part of the camp’s permanent curriculum
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management | Colorado State University | 2015
Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education | Front Range Community College | 2013
Certifications:
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR) – NOLS, renewed 2022
- Water Safety Instructor (WSI) – American Red Cross, 2016
- Youth Mental Health First Aid – National Council, 2018
- Challenge Course Facilitator Level II – ACCT, 2017
- Leave No Trace Trainer – LNT Center for Outdoor Ethics, 2014
SKILLS
- Group Leadership & Management
- Conflict Resolution & Mediation
- Program Development & Evaluation
- Risk Management & Emergency Response
- Behavior Management Strategies
- Budget Administration
- Staff Training & Mentorship
- Environmental Education
- Special Needs Inclusion
- Parent Communication
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Youth Programs Volunteer | Denver Parks & Recreation | Sept 2017 – Present
- Lead weekend nature hikes and environmental education programs for urban youth
- Assist with seasonal special events reaching 500+ community members annually
How to Write a Summer Camp Counselor Resume
Introduction
Landing that perfect summer camp counselor job means showing camp directors you're the right mix of responsible adult and fun camp enthusiast. Your resume is often your first impression, and in the competitive summer job market, it needs to stand out. I've reviewed thousands of camp counselor applications over the years, and the difference between getting an interview and getting overlooked often comes down to how well your resume captures your energy and relevant skills.
The best camp counselor resumes balance professionalism with personality. Camp directors want responsible adults who can handle emergencies, but also people who can genuinely connect with kids and create memorable experiences.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your camp counselor resume clean and scannable. Most camp directors spend less than 30 seconds on initial resume reviews (more like 17 seconds, according to my conversations with hiring managers). For format:
- Stick to 1 page for most camp positions (unless you have 5+ years of extensive experience)
- Use clear section headings that pop (Experience, Skills, Education)
- Choose readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Georgia at 10-12pt size
- Include white space - cramped resumes get skimmed or skipped
- Save as a PDF (unless specifically asked for another format)
Profile/Summary Section
Start with a brief, energetic summary that captures who you are as a counselor. This isn't the place for "seeking a position that will utilize my skills" - boring! Instead, try something like:
"Enthusiastic psychology student with 2 summers of volunteer experience leading youth programs. CPR/First Aid certified with proven ability to create age-appropriate activities that balance fun with learning. Known for handling homesick campers with patience and building confidence in shy children."
Notice this tells the camp director exactly what you bring to their team while showing personality.
Professional Experience
Even if you haven't been a counselor before, you likely have relevant experience. Babysitting, tutoring, volunteer work with kids, teaching swim lessons - these all matter! For each experience:
- Start with action verbs (Led, Created, Supervised, Organized)
- Include specific age groups you worked with (e.g., "Supervised groups of 8-10 children ages 7-9")
- Mention specific activities you planned or skills you taught
- Highlight safety protocols you've followed
- Include any behavior management experience
Example: "Coached junior soccer for neighborhood recreation center (2022). Created practice plans for 12 children ages 6-8, taught basic skills through engaging games, and handled minor conflicts between players. Parents specifically requested me for the following season."
Education and Certifications
Camps love counselors with relevant education and certifications. Include:
- Current school and major (especially education, recreation, psychology)
- Certifications: First Aid/CPR, Lifeguard Training, Wilderness First Responder
- Relevant coursework: Child Development, Recreation Programming, Education
- Special skills: Swimming instruction, archery certification, musical instruments
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many larger camps use application tracking systems to filter resumes. Include these key terms naturally throughout your resume:
- Child supervision
- Activity planning
- Safety protocols
- Group management
- Conflict resolution
- Emergency procedures
- Team building
Industry-specific Terms
Showing you know camp lingo can give you an edge. Familiar terms like "cabin leader," "program specialist," "all-camp activities," or "camper engagement" signal you understand camp culture. If you know the specific camp's programs (like their leadership development program or special activity areas), mention those by name.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being too generic - "I love kids" doesn't tell directors anything useful
- Focusing only on what you want - camps care about what you'll contribute
- Forgetting to mention behavior management experience
- Overly formal language that doesn't capture camp spirit
- Typos! (Nothing says "I don't pay attention to details" like spelling errors)
Before/After Example
Before: "Responsible for watching kids at day camp."
After: "Supervised groups of 8 campers (ages 9-11) during daily activities, taught beginner archery skills, and created rainy-day alternatives that became camp favorites. Managed homesickness issues with empathy, resulting in 93% of parents reporting their children wanted to return next summer."
Your camp counselor resume should paint a picture of someone who's responsible enough to handle emergencies but fun enough to make camp magical. Good luck with your application!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Summer Camp Counselor resume
- Child-centered crisis management (I’ve talked kids through everything from homesickness to bee stings without panicking)
- Conflict resolution between campers with wildly different backgrounds
- Adaptive leadership – shifting between firm boundary-setter and goofy role model as needed
- Weather-proof enthusiasm (maintaining energy through 95° days and surprise thunderstorms)
- On-the-fly activity modification for different age groups and abilities
- Non-verbal communication awareness, especially with first-time campers
Hard skills for your Summer Camp Counselor resume
- CPR & First Aid Certification (American Red Cross, renewed May 2023)
- Wilderness First Responder training (40-hour course)
- Lifeguard certification with waterfront module
- CampMinder software proficiency for attendance tracking
- Low ropes course facilitation (ACCT Level 1)
- Basic food handling permit (ServSafe)
- Archery instruction certification (Level 2)
- Google Workspace for activity planning and documentation
- Crisis prevention & de-escalation techniques (CPI trained)