INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Camp Counselor positions are at a 16% growth rate, which is much faster than average. With that said, there are currently 354,100 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 57,800 to 411,900 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the Camp Counselor jobs was $28,440 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $19,510, and the highest 10% more than $46,510.
Our conclusion? The Camp Counselor job market is wide open for candidates.
Top camp counselor sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
Things to remember when writing your camp counselor experience section
Camp counselor experience section checklist:
- Keep it short: use no more than 4-6 bullet points per position;
- Go for short, easy-to-read sentences to keep recruiters engaged;
- Focus on relevant job experience that will enhance your application;
- Describe your experience using the C-A-R (challenge, action, result) methodology;
- Ditch buzzwords and go for power words instead.
To illustrate it more clearly, we’ve collected some of the best experience section examples from real Camp Counselor resumes. Check them out below!
- Supervised group of pre-teens to follow schedule per day.
- Prepared a number of lesson plans for musical ensemble weekly.
- Organized small musical ensemble to prepare and perform for summer showcase.
- Supervised & supported cancer survivors ages 6 – 40.
- Supervised, supported & directed Peer Mentors & Cabin Counselors.
- Counseled campers one on one as well as lead group discussions.
- Encouraged personal empowerment regardless of ability level.
- Ensured my campers had the experiences they were seeking.
- Worked summers only .
- Efficiently worked with other counselors to facilitate camp functions and guarantee campers safety.
- I worked with ages 3 through 7.
- Implement camp policies, procedures, and philosophy as stated in the Camp Staff Manuel, and preformed the role of the camp counselor.
- I was a summer camp counselor for 4th graders.
- I was in charge of 8 children at a time and led them through various camp games and activities.
- I assisted on field trips to nearby locations.
- Directed daily functions for a summer camp dedicated to creating engaging recreational opportunities for children
- Designed and implemented weekly schedule, activities, and programming for camp group
- Organized and led small and large group activities such as crafts, games, swimming, and opening and closing ceremonies
- Communicated with parents regarding participant experiences and expectations
- Maintained accurate program records, including incident reports, logs, and daily attendance reports
- Supervised 2 young adults with a variety of disabilities during various camp activities such as, swimming, field trips, and independent time
- Modified activities to accommodate the needs of the campers
- Facilitated group instruction and activities
- Directed and supervised 10 campers ages 12-13
- Planned, coordinated and executed 75-minute instructional basketball activities for groups of 15-25 boys
- Contributed to verbal and written evaluations and administration
- Supervised 15 kids aged 9-10 years old for roughly three and a half weeks.
- Ensured that all kids were where they needed to be and on time throughout the day.
- Provided entertainment and enthusiasm to group on a daily basis, while also displaying leadership skills.
- Worked with co-staff and supervisors in order to ensure best possible experience for campers.
- Monitored and helped children throughout the day, while ensuring their safety and comfort.
- Created fun and stimulating games and activities for my campers.
- Diffused situations of conflict between campers in a calm yet assertive manner.
- Gave each child my undivided attention and care.
- Supervised a group of 150 children on a daily basis
- Created and managed camp programs and activities specifically with engaging children in physical activity
- Cooperated with other counselors in my division and within camp to create and implement group activities
- Practiced listening and counseling skills by helping campers learn to live together
- Led groups of 4-year old boys
- Acted as a role model in all areas of camp activities including cleanliness, punctuality, chores, rules, and sportsmanship
- Created a comfortable atmosphere for campers through communication and friendliness
- Took care of 20 to 30 campers per week of 8 to 17 year-olds
- Stayed at dorms with campers and Enforced discipline at residence halls
- Created and managed daily activities for campers ranging from instructions to fun games
- Used my passion for technology and coding to teach and help children with their coding assignments.
- Assisted implementing and teaching new curriculum for younger children using 'Blockly' programming to create Minecraft mods.
- Assisted implementing and teaching new Robotics curriculum to get children to build and code their robots. (2016)
- Used other curricula to teach children how to code, such as Java, Blockly, Javascript, and some Python.
- Honed my skills and patience by working with children ages 5-15 at unique summer camp program for five consecutive summers
- Supervised children in activities including crabbing, canoeing/kayaking, photography and regional day trips to places such as Washington, D.C., Sandy Springs Adventure Park and
- Led a team of middle schoolers in building an environmentally self-sufficient Tiny House that was part of SustainaFest and recognized by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley
- Organized activities and games for campers to participate in.
- Encouraged curiosity and creativity during craft time.
- Promoted positive redirection, set expectations, and provided tender love and care for each child.
- BSA Certified Lifeguard - Waterfront Activities
- Red Cross CPR, AED and First Aid
- Instructor for Small-Boat Sailing & Eagle Required merit badges
- Maintained the safety and well-being of large groups of children ages 5 to 12 both at camp and en-route
- As a bus leader acted as a liaison between parents and the camp organization
- Planned spontaneous games and other activities for the entire camp
- Participated in voluntary week-long overnights at the campgrounds
- Used my passion for technology and coding to teach and help children with their coding assignments.
- Worked 20+ hours per week during summer only for 3 years
- Taught Java, Python, Blockly, and Scratch coding to modify Minecraft.
- Arduino based robotics using Robotic C and Scratch
- Instructing safety and training campers and students in kayaking principles, serving as Lifeguard.
- Running setup and check-in for special events.
- Training new counselors.
PRO TIP
Show off real numbers that display your accomplishments in past roles. Instead of listing out your responsibilities as Camp Counselor, talk about the measurable impact you made to their business. Did you boost their revenue? Increase customer retention? Mention your proudest points on your resume.
Action verbs for your camp counselor resume
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The Best Way to Write Your Camp Counselor Resume’s Skills Section
Camp Counselor Resume: Skills Section Checklist
- Scan the job advert for keywords worth including in your resume;
- List both hard and transferable skills;
- Leave room for discussion: include some of your skills in other sections of your resume;
- Focus on skills that prove your expertise and leave the irrelevant ones behind.
Top skills for your camp counselor resume
Word
Excel
PowerPoint
Outlook
Prezi
Communication
Self confidence
Persistence
Planning
Time management
Patience
Tolerance
PRO TIP
Add a Talent Section to your resume, where you can pick your top 3 soft skills and describe how you used them to complete a project or balance departmental communication.
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Camp counselor resume header: Tips, red flags, and best practices
Checklist for your camp counselor resume header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
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PRO TIP
Some companies, states, and countries have policies about identifying information like photos on your Camp Counselor resume. Be sure to check all the relevant rules before submitting yours. If you’re in doubt, you can always try contacting the company’s HR department to ask for their policy.
Writing a strong camp counselor resume summary
Camp counselor resume summary checklist:
- Mention your position and total years of experience in the field;
- Highlight 1-2 of your top achievements;
- Go for shorter sentences and keep them to the point – don’t include anything that doesn’t support your application;
- Add 2-4 keywords present in the job description.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Read the job description carefully and understand what the hiring company is exactly looking for. After that, write your summary accordingly while highlighting your potential and ability to be the best at that job.
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Adding education, courses, and certifications to your camp counselor resume
Education section tips and tricks.
- Add info about your highest degree level, incl. year of graduation, place of study, and degree subject;
- Mention some education-related awards you’ve received;
- Share a bit more about your certifications (if they are relevant);
- Entry-level applicants: Tailor your education section by including classes that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.
Top certifications for your camp counselor resume
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CISSP Certification: CISSP Domain 5 & 6 Boot Camp UPDATED 22
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CISSP Certification: CISSP Domain 3 & 4 Boot Camp UPDATED 22
Take the Domain 3 & 4 2022 CISSP certifications boot camp: Get 12.5 hours of video, study guides, and practice questions
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The Complete QlikView Boot Camp
Learn QlikView for Data Analytics - Designer & Developer step by step. Real-World Data Analytics. Real data included.
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PRO TIP
There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a Camp Counselor. But, some are more effective than others. That’s why you mustn’t include every certificate other applicants might have. Try instead to earn and list a few of the difficult ones.
The best format for your camp counselor resume
Choosing the right format for your resume might seem difficult, regardless of whether you’re a newbie or a master. In short, there are three basic resume formats for you to choose from:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
The choice you make depends on your level of experience and the company you’re applying for.
The reverse-chronological resume format is great for you if you have at least 10 years of experience, no employment gaps, and are not looking for a career change. Here, you are expected to list all your previous jobs in a reverse-chronological format, starting from your most recent position and going back to the oldest one. It’s perfect for experienced individuals who are looking for a straightforward way to highlight their expertise.
The functional skills-based resume format, on the other hand, is great for recent graduates or professionals with large employment gaps. It focuses on skills and education, rather than experience. This makes it ideal for showing you’re the right fit without putting too much emphasis on your lack of (relevant) experience.
If you’re looking for something a bit more creative, go for the combination resume format. It’s a mix of the reverse-chronological and the functional skills-based formats, which makes it ideal for all types of applicants. What’s more, it’s considered modern and innovative, and isn’t this what you want your application to feel like anyway?
After choosing the right format for your Camp Counselor resume, it’s time to perfect the layout and style.
- Go for traditional 1-inch resume margins;
- Choose a simple resume font, sized 10-12p;
- Make sure that the length of your resume matches your applicant profile: try to fit in a one-page template; two-page templateare suitable only for candidates with over 10 years of experience.
- Save your resume in PDF to avoid issues around formatting and unauthorized editing.
Looking for more ways to make your application stand out? Read this article!
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PRO TIP
If you feel that you don’t have high chances in a particular company, due to lack of relevant experience, then you can still consider using a creative layout. That might help you get noticed and invited for an interview, as most of the other applicants will have boring resume designs.
Other sections to include in your resume
Depending on the type of company, your position, and your general desire to experiment and showcase your creative side, you might want to add some additional sections to your resume. Some examples include:
Creating a memorable camp counselor resume
You want your resume to put you in front of other candidates even when the competition is high, right? Right!
One of the easiest ways to do this is by adding a drop or two of creativity. You can choose a colorful and out-of-the-box template, or maybe even put a ‘what my typical days look like’ section at the bottom of your resume
It’s totally up to you. Just make sure to match the level of creativity to the industry, the position, and the company.
What makes a great camp counselor resume: key takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.
