Day Camp Counselor Jobs
Day Camp Counselor jobs are open across youth-serving nonprofits, municipal parks and recreation departments, private summer camps, and YMCA-affiliated programs, from entry-level junior counselor to senior counselor and camp director, with specializations in outdoor education, special needs support, and waterfront instruction. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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JCC of Greater Pittsburgh
5738 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Principal Responsibilities:
POSITION SUMMARY:
Responsible for the recruitment, training/development, staff morale and engagement of general camp staff. Serves as conduit to communicating the mission and strategic goals to staff. This position also implements programs and systems that drive staff satisfaction and performance while also increasing staff retention from year to year.
PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Leads JCC Day Camps Staff Engagement program which includes recruiting, hiring and required JCC onboarding paperwork for all seasonal summer staff.
- Collaborates on the development and execution of a comprehensive staff orientation plan.
- Collects and maintains required paperwork from staff, including clearances, certifications, and tracks staff certifications to comply with ACA standards.
- Establishes and maintains effective relationships with children, parents, and staff to ensure satisfaction and a high rate of return.
- Addresses staff concerns, including scheduling, time off, complaints and personal concerns.
- Partners with Children, Youth & Family staff to develop and implement year-round recruitment strategies that supports non-camp staffing needs and promotes staff engagement and retention.
- Creates meaningful opportunities for staff feedback to identify concerns and continuously improve the staff experience.
- Collaborates with fellow JCC Day Camps leadership team to assess staff needs and implement solutions that strengthen engagement, retention and effectiveness.
- Monitors the effectiveness of staff support practices throughout the season and recommends adjustments based on staff feedback, operational needs and emerging challenges.
- Oversees J&R Day Camp payroll for part-time and seasonal personnel in keeping with JCC policies and procedures.
- Manages all transportation requirements for J&R Day Camp participants, including buses.
- Maintains all components of J&R's technology infrastructure inclusive of hardware and connectivity utilized by seasonal staff.
- Maintains and promotes JCC Day Camps core values of Connections, Values, Growth and Fun.
- Develops and monitors expense lines related to part-time and seasonal staffing and ensures compliance.
- Works closely with other departments in creating and implementing Agency-wide and interdepartmental programs.
- Collaborates effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals, while independently managing tasks and projects to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality results.
- Applies working knowledge of Jewish traditions, practices, and culture.
- Works effectively with other key JCC departments to provide effective and efficient service delivery.
- Ability to define problems, develop solutions, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to manage and balance a variety of responsibilities in a fast-paced environment under tight time constraints.
- Ensures adherence to and integration of the agency core values (shared lenses) Masa (reflection, return & renewal), B'Tzelem Elohim (dignity and potential), B'rit (belonging & commitment), Hit'orerut (amazement & gratitude), D'rash (inquiry, dialogue & transmission), K'dushah (intentionality & presence) and Tikkun Olam (responsibility).
- Recognizes that the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh gathers individuals representing diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and practices.
- Creates a warm and welcoming environment.
- Maintains a high degree of organization and attention to details.
- Adheres to Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh policies and procedures.
- Actively supports and participates in continuous intra-departmental and agency-wide quality improvement processes. "Everyone, Every Day, Closer to Better".
- Actively promotes and maintains agency customer service standards.
- Ensures compliance with all state, federal and local regulating agencies.
- Generates necessary reports and documentation as needed and/or required.
- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
- Ability to operate personal computers (hardware and software).
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required.
- Ability to travel, as needed.
- Ability to perform other related duties, as needed and/or required.
(These responsibilities are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed.)
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
While performing the above duties, this position routinely requires handling persons and/or objects and moving safely throughout the building. This position may include walking, sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling. This position requires communicating, either verbally or in writing. This position frequently requires moving items weighing up to 25 pounds. This position occasionally requires moving items weighing up to 50 pounds. Must be able to complete all essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Supervises Part Time and/or Seasonal Personnel
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Supervision from J&R Day Camp Director
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in education, recreation, hospitality, Jewish studies, or social work, advanced degree preferred; with at least 5 years of professional experience in camping services.
CERTIFICATIONS:
PA Criminal History Clearance
PA Child Abuse Clearance
FBI Clearance
PA Mandated Reporter Training
First Aid/CPR Certification
National Sex Offenders Registry Clearance
Out of State Clearances, as applicable
Current physical examination report from a certified physician and an up-to-date TB vaccination
Equal Opportunity employer
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to:
JCC of Greater Pittsburgh
Attn: Human Resources
5738 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in education, recreation, hospitality, Jewish studies, or social work, advanced degree preferred; with at least 5 years of professional experience in camping services.
Salary:
$55,000 - $65,000
Agency Information:
The mission of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh is to enrich our community by cultivating an inclusive, dynamic environment built upon Jewish values, heritage and culture. We offer programs of excellence that span the life cycle and strengthen the physical, intellectual and spiritual well being of individuals and families from generation to generation.
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Find Day Camp Counselor JobsDay Camp Counselor Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Steve & Kate's Camp14

- Girl Scouts of the USA10

- Spruce Lake3
- Commonpoint Queens2

- Grady Health System2

What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in day camp counselor jobs.
- Current CPR and First Aid certification from an accredited provider
- Experience working directly with children in a supervised group setting
- Ability to pass a background check and child safety screening
- Knowledge of behavior management techniques for youth ages 5 to 17
- Willingness to work full days outdoors in variable weather conditions
- Strong verbal communication skills for interacting with campers and parents
Tips for Your Day Camp Counselor Job Search
Tailor your resume to camp season
Hiring managers at summer camps scan for dates fast, so list each counselor role with exact summers worked, not just years. Gaps between seasons are normal, but unexplained year-long gaps without any youth-related volunteer work raise questions.
List every relevant certification upfront
CPR, First Aid, lifeguard certification, and Wilderness First Responder credentials belong in a dedicated certifications section near the top of your resume, not buried in a skills list. Many camps filter applications by certification before reading anything else.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists day camp counselor openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target programs by their specialty, not just location
A camp focused on STEM programming hires differently than one built around performing arts or adaptive recreation. Read each program's mission before applying and reflect that specialty in your cover letter with a specific example from your past experience.
Prepare for scenario-based interview questions
Interviewers at day camps rarely ask generic questions. Expect scenarios like how you'd handle a homesick camper, a conflict between two kids, or a parent complaint. Rehearse two or three real situations from past roles so your answers are concrete, not hypothetical.
Follow up after the season wraps, not just after applying
Camp directors rehire the same counselors year after year, so a brief thank-you message at the end of a season or a check-in email in early spring puts you at the front of the list before postings even go live.
Day Camp Counselor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most day camp counselors?
The most active employers for day camp counselors right now are Steve & Kate's Camp, Girl Scouts of the USA, and Spruce Lake, and the most openings are in Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to concentrate at municipal parks and recreation departments, YMCA chapters, and nonprofit youth development organizations.
How many day camp counselor jobs are remote?
About 0% of day camp counselor openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most counselor work is hands-on and in person. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements include curriculum planning, program coordination, and administrative support roles within larger camp organizations.
How do you become a day camp counselor?
Start by earning CPR and First Aid certification, since nearly every employer requires it before your first day. Gain direct experience with children through babysitting, tutoring, coaching, or volunteering with a youth organization. Apply to entry-level or junior counselor roles, complete any required background checks, and work your way into a lead counselor position as you build a record with specific age groups or activity specialties.
Can you get hired as a day camp counselor with little or no experience?
Yes, many programs hire first-time counselors specifically for entry-level roles designed for candidates who are still building experience. Volunteer work with youth groups, religious education programs, school tutoring, or sports coaching all count as relevant background. Highlighting your certifications, your enthusiasm for a specific age group, and any activity skills like swimming, arts, or athletics makes a strong case even without formal camp experience.
What does the day camp counselor interview process look like?
Most programs start with a phone or video screening focused on your experience with children and your availability for the full camp season. An in-person or second video interview follows, where hiring managers typically ask scenario-based questions about handling camper conflicts, emergencies, and parent interactions. Some camps include a brief group activity or observed session where you interact with other candidates or current staff to assess your communication style.
Where can I find and apply to day camp counselor jobs?
You can find and apply to day camp counselor jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your experience, activity specialties, and preferred location, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 55 Day Camp Counselor Jobs
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