August 14th, 2024
How to Describe Camp Counselor Experience on a Resume
So, you just finished your time working at summer camp. The past few months have probably felt like years, with ups, downs, and everything in between.
Nevertheless, there is no doubt the experience has taught you a great deal about yourself and your ability to get things done.
What now? How do you communicate this life-changing experience to the real world?
Experience as a camp counselor is often underestimated. On the outside, it seems like a job spent lounging on the lake, frolicking in the fields, and entertaining the occasional kid.
Truth is, you have just gained a goldmine of transferable skills that are highly valued in any career you plan to pursue.
In this post, we will dive into key tips to remember when describing camp counselor experience on your resume.
Change your camp title to a real-world title
The people making hiring decisions spend about six to seven seconds on average looking at a resume.
That’s why it’s crucial to make sure that anyone reading the title of your camp role immediately understands the value without having to read much further.
For example, instead of “Waterski Instructor”, you might title the role as “Camp Activity Leader.”
If you find yourself in the classic role of “Camp Counselor” you could instead use a title like “Youth Development Specialist.”
Soft skills are important
A camp counselor role is one that goes well beyond the job description. There are not many other jobs out there that require you to be on the clock from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep.
The camp counselor role builds invaluable soft skills that employers in every field look for in candidates.
- Resilience – being able to keep a smile on your face after an exhausting day with hundreds of campers is a skill that is hard to teach.
- Creative problem-solving – being able to think of a game to keep rowdy eight-year-olds entertained on a rainy day takes a superhuman ability to think outside the box
- Communication – sitting down to talk to a homesick camper and making them feel heard takes a level of precision and empathy that is difficult to train.
Leadership is what employers look for
This soft skill gets its own special section. At its most basic level, being a camp counselor is being a leader at all times. You are always expected to be leading your campers and being an all-around role model for those around you.
Make sure to emphasize this leadership role on your resume. Highlight your ability to resolve conflict, teach kids new skills and activities, and manage campers as they take on the challenges of life away from home.
Camp jobs set you up for success
Don’t underestimate the power of your camp counselor experience.
By framing it in the right way, you can show potential employers that you’ve developed a wide range of skills that are applicable to many different roles.
Think about ways that you have grown through the summer and key skills that you have gathered that can be applied to your career.
With the right approach, your time at camp can be a standout section on your resume.
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