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Why Every College Student Should Work at Summer Camp

There is no way around the fact that college is more expensive than ever. For many, that means that getting a job is necessary, at least during the summer. Is there a perfect job?

  • Server: Tips can make serving at a restaurant lucrative, but you might get yelled at about things that are not your fault.
  • Barista: The coffee shop might have the right vibes, but you're going to find yourself in a debate about what actually is a macchiato. Is it   Or an upside-down vanilla latte?
  • Construction: The upside is that you will learn valuable skills. The downside is that work can be sporadic and, of course, hot in the summer.
  • Work-study: You might be able to get a job at your college or university, but then you never get to leave school.
  • Retail: If you don't love working on holidays, retail may not be for you. 

In reality, all of these options are excellent jobs that build skills and provide great experiences for personal and professional growth. Most of them don't preclude you from doing the true summer area job for a college student - working at a summer camp.

Here are eight reasons why every college student should work at summer camp.

 

Eight Reasons College Students Should Work at Summer Camp

1) Summer Camps Often Pay Well

There is a misconception that summer camps don’t pay well, but this is not necessarily the case. The hours can be long, but many camps have made efforts to make their pay more competitive in order to attract the best people who better serve their campers. 

Don’t write off the idea of working at camp because you might assume it does not pay well. 

2) Summer Camps Typically Provide Room and Board

In addition to competitive pay, resident camps typically provide counselors and leaders with a place to stay and plenty of food. This allows camp staff to save most of their paychecks while living with people who will become best friends.

3) You Will Make Lifelong Friends

When you work at camp, making friends is inevitable. You will form lifelong relationships at camp. 

4) You Will Gain Valuable and Marketable Skills

It’s not all fun and games when you work at summer camp. There is, of course, a fair amount of playing games and having fun, camp staff members also develop a number of marketable skills that will be useful on resumes, including:

  • Leadership: Whether you are leading campers or other staff, your leadership skills will improve when you work at camp. 
  • Communication: Effective communication is key when working at camp. You’ll improve your written and verbal communication skills, public speaking, and one-on-one conversational skills. 
  • Interviewing: When you work at camp, you will likely get the opportunity to interview for multiple positions. 
  • Outdoor: Working at camp will expose you to the great outdoors. You will develop skills like wildlife safety, camping, hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, etc., as well as how to safely manage equipment like ropes courses and ziplines. 
  • Watersports: Many camps will have fishing and watersports options that counselors and leaders must learn. 
  • First-Aid: You will likely have to be first aid trained and possibly even certified. 

The skills you will learn as a counselor or leader at summer camp will look great on your resume and translate well in future workplaces. 

5) You Can See the World

Summer camps are typically located in some of the most beautiful places in the world. High Peak Camp, for example, is neighbors with Rocky Mountain National Park and just minutes from downtown Estes Park. 

Working at camp gives college students the opportunity to be paid to see some of the most beautiful scenery on earth. 

6) You Will Have Great Mentors

Camps often promote from within, so your supervisors will be mentors who have seen it all. They will be people who have experience caring for others and want to see them grow. After a few summers of working at camp, you will become a great mentor in your own right. 

7) Summer Camp Supervisors Are Great References

Not only will your supervisors be mentors during the summers you work at camp, but they will become resources for reference letters and job opportunities throughout your career. 

8) You Will Make a Real Difference

At High Peak Camp, our purpose is to use nature and the great outdoors as a setting to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, teach environmental awareness, encourage pro-social behavior and safely provide opportunity to every camper for fun and adventure. 

If you spend your summer working with us, you know that you will be making a positive influence and have the opportunity to share the good news of Christ with kids from every walk of life. 

Summer camps across the country are searching for college students like you. If you are interested in working at High Peak Camp, visit our careers page online