5 Ways to Land a Summer Camp Counselor Job

I’ve spent the past two summers working at a summer camp in the USA and had the best time ever! Working a summer camp counselor job is very intense and often has you on the clock 24/7 but it’s an experience unlike any other.

The days are long but filled to the brim with fun, activities and memories to last a lifetime. I have become that annoying friend who has a camp story for every conversation. Like that time I dressed up as a secret service agent to escort a 7-year-old into lunch as he won a “skip the line” prize at Disco Bingo the night before. Or that time I designed a Star Wars themed escape room for the entire camp in less than 2 hours because a storm rolled in out of nowhere. It’s truly the best summer job and I will rave about it forever.

But how can you actually find a summer camp counselor job? Let me share five different ways…

Through an Agency

This is the most common way for international staff members to find a camp counselor job. An agency is essentially the middle man between you and the camp that helps you get your visa. To get a J1, which is the type needed to work in the US as a summer camp counselor, you need an agency to act as your sponsor. It’s very uncommon for camps to directly sponsor you for this type of visa, especially in your first year.

Once you have chosen an agency, passed their interview and paid the fees, you will be added to their database and able to start interviewing for camp jobs.

Most of the agencies will also host camp fairs where you can meet Camp Directors in person and potentially walk away with a job. This is a great way to chat face to face, get a feel for that specific camp and its culture plus make a great first impression. Many camps do the majority of their international recruiting through camp fairs and a lot hire on the spot.

AmeriCamp is the agency that I use to get my visa. Want to spend a summer at camp? Use code JESSP30 to get £30 off your fees.

Directly Research Camps

Camp will often post job vacancies on their website with an application link. One method to finding a summer camp counselor job that you’re in complete control over is researching camps and applying to them directly.

Even if you are an international member of staff, you can still take this approach. You will still need to instruct an agency to sponsor your visa but you’ll be a direct placement. I’ve been a direct placement both summers I’ve been at camp and I find you have a lot more control over your placement than going into the portal.

Through Your Network

This was how I originally found my summer camp counselor job! I was chatting to an old boss and happened to mention I wanted to work at camp and low and behold my boss knew a camp director. A facebook introduction and an interview later, I’d landed my summer camp counselor job.

Ask around, chances are you’ll know someone who knows someone and might get some good camp counselor job leads. Plus if you do know someone who went to a camp and they refer to to their camp, usually they’ll get a referral bonus. So it could be a win win all round!

Indeed

I couldn’t believe it but some of my friends from camp actually found the gig through Indeed! But of course camps would list their vacancies on job sites like Indeed, especially when trying to attract domestic staff.

So, if you’re a domestic staff member – meaning you’re a USA citizen looking for a summer camp counselor job in the USA – then try starting your research by looking on Indeed.

Join Facebook Camp Groups

There are a handful of Facebook groups out there specifically for people looking for summer camp jobs. It’s usually as simple as finding the group, joining it and then posting an “ad”. People will then comment below and you can act on the leads as you see fit.

Some group suggestions…

USA Summer Camp Jobs

Summer Camp Jobs

Summer Camp Counselor America 2025

So there you go, 5 ways to find a summer camp counselor jobs and have an incredible summer! Have you been thinking about doing a summer camp experience? Use code JESSP30 to get £30 off your AmeriCamp fees.