Camp Counselor Resume Example

Our resume writing tips are a surefire way to land a job.

1. Open with Your Qualifications

When you imagine camp you probably think of hiking out in the woods, sitting around a campfire, and roasting S’mores, right? Well, the typical vision of summer camp is increasingly changing.

Newer types of camps (many of which are not exclusive to the summer season and take place throughout the year) offer a wide range of specialized activities for kids to enjoy.

From computer programming, robotics, and science to music, performing arts, or sports camps – there are hundreds of camps out there that need enthusiastic counselors to oversee campers.

So, the best way to start off your resume is by introducing a summary of your qualifications. Typically, we avoid suggesting a qualifications summary for entry-level or intern/volunteer positions, but a camp counselor resume could be the exception to the rule.

Counselors need to have a vast array of niche qualifications that may not be easily summarized in a career objective or exemplified in your work history.

Generally, hiring managers for camps are looking to hire counselors that have some prior history in the camp’s focus. That means the very first thing you want to highlight are aspects of your background, accolades, and character that demonstrate why employing you is critical to their mission.

If you’re applying to a traditional summer camp, demonstrate your knowledge of outdoor recreational activities or your time spent organizing a sporting tournament.

Are you applying for a counselor position at a robotics sleep-away or faith-based retreat? Shine a light on your volunteer work at a children’s museum or a church event.

2. Expand on Relevant Skills When Professional Experience is Absent

If you’re a high school grad or college student applying for a counselor position, your work history is unlikely to impress.

While delivering pizzas or ripping ticket stubs at the local movie theater help get your bills paid, they aren’t particularly relevant to your camp counselor resume.

Utilizing our functional resume format is a great way to display your skills and accomplishments up front. The functional format allows you to represent all your relevant skills while relying less on grabbing a hiring manager’s attention with lists of the places where you’ve worked.

A couple of the skills that hiring managers focus on when reviewing a resume for a camp counselor position are:

• Leadership

A camp counselor needs to be an exceptional leader and guide. An employer wants to know they can count on you to lead with authority.

When drafting your resume, highlight a time you took charge over a student or work project.

• Experience with Children

Whether you’re applying to a traditional summer or specialty camp, hiring managers are looking for counselors that will be great role models to kids.

Try and emphasize a time you volunteered with a youth group or taught an after-school program. This will show any employer that you’re prepared to interact with young children on a daily basis.

3. Conclude with an Additional Skills and Certificates Section

As a camp counselor, the safety and security of young campers is the highest priority of you and your employer. You can stand out to hiring managers if you’re trained to respond to emergency health and safety scenarios.

The American Red Cross is one of many instructors that offer a variety of classes (from CPR and First Aid to Lifeguarding and Water Safety) to attend and receive certification. Complete a training course one weekend and make yourself a more desirable candidate.

Even if you’re not in a position to undertake a certification class, you can still highlight your health and safety experience.

Perhaps you have a family member that needed help administering an allergy shot or diabetic medication; these are valuable skills you can use to increase your chances of a successful callback.

If you’re struggling with how to write a great skills section, we’ve got you covered. Check out how to write a skills section for a resume.

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