Lead Camp Counselor Jobs
Lead Camp Counselor jobs are open across residential summer camps, day camps, and outdoor education programs, at levels from junior counselor to senior staff and program director, with specializations in adventure sports, performing arts, and special needs programming. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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SNIPES FARM DAY CAMP COUNSELOR
Snipes Farm Day Camp sits on 80 beautiful acres of a 7-generation, USDA certified organic farm and is a part of the 501c3 nonprofit of Snipes Farm and Education Center. It is a vibrant place to spend a summer with the activity and energy of a working farm with nature all around. Snipes Farm Day Camp has served children and youth for 20 years.
Farm Camp is a perfect fit for anyone preparing for or currently working in a career in education or social work seeking to gain experience in cultivating confidence, curiosity and compassion in the lives of young people. Staff share wisdom, energy, whimsy and hobbies with campers and also grow new skills through professional development and mentoring. All the nooks and crannies of the farm with creeks, gardens, the meadow, and orchard are amazing places for learning and discovery. Campers gain life skills as they tend a garden, care for animals and harvest berries, fresh veggies and herbs to make farm fresh recipes. Weekly themes, art, games and science bring the learning alive. Lasting friendships are made, and a special community is built together with staff, campers, and families through summer adventures on a farm!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Snipes Farm Day Camp runs for 8 weeks: June 21- August 13, 2027
A required staff training: June 14-18, 2027
All-hands Camp Put-Away (required): August 16-18
Part-time opportunities may be available
CAMP COUNSELOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Plan and coordinate daily activities for a group of 15-20 campers ages 6-7, 8-10, 11-12, or 13-16 collaborating with a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) and the Camp Directors
· Provide extra hands and support for campers in specials classes: art, archery, and cooking
· Mentor the CIT's leadership skills
· Maintain an environment of emotional and physical safety
· Build community and team spirit within your group
· Help to maintain a pleasant, safe, and tidy campus
· Model compassion, curiosity, and enthusiasm!
Any of these skills or interests are helpful:
● A love of the outdoors
● An interest in children’s social, emotional, and educational development
● Hiking/Birding/Scouting
● Gardening
● Singing/Playing an Instrument
● Arts and Crafts
● Theater
● Caring for Animals
● Healthy Eating/Cooking
● World Cultures
● Social work/ special needs support
Work hours: M-F; 7:30am-4:00pm
Salary: $18 per hour
REQUIRED
Must be over the age of 18
Two years or more of direct children’s program instruction
Work references
Current PA Child Safety Clearances:
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance.
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance.
- Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Criminal History Clearance. (required for all employees and some volunteers)
Job Types: Part-time, Full-time
Pay: $18.00 per hour
Experience:
- working with children: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Child Safety Clearances (Required)
Work Location: In person
Lead Camp Counselor Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Lead Camp Counselor JobsLead Camp Counselor Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Steve & Kate's Camp37
- Girl Scouts of the USA20
- YMCA18
- Life Time11
- River Crossing YMCA6
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead camp counselor jobs.
- Current CPR and first aid certification from a recognized provider
- Minimum two seasons of prior camp counselor or youth leadership experience
- Experience supervising and mentoring junior staff or counselors in training
- Ability to live on-site for the duration of the camp session
- Strong behavior management skills working with children and adolescents
- Proficiency in planning and leading age-appropriate recreational or educational activities
Tips for Your Lead Camp Counselor Job Search
Tailor your resume to camp season
Highlight your certifications like CPR, first aid, and lifeguard training prominently at the top of your resume. Camp directors scan for safety credentials first, so burying them under a work history section costs you interviews before anyone reads your experience.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists lead camp counselor openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing. Early applicants get priority review before seasonal hiring freezes cut off new applications.
Quantify your group management experience
Instead of writing 'supervised campers,' specify the age range, group size, and activity type you managed. Lead counselor roles require demonstrating you can handle escalating behavior and safety situations independently, so concrete examples move your application past the screening round.
Target programs matching your specialty
Filter openings by program type, whether that's STEM, arts, athletics, or wilderness. Directors hiring for a sailing program want a lead counselor with on-water experience, not a generalist. Matching your specialty to the program type dramatically increases your callback rate.
Prepare scenario answers for interviews
Camp interviews lean heavily on situational questions: how you handled a homesick camper, a conflict between two junior counselors, or an on-trail emergency. Rehearse two or three real situations with specific outcomes before your interview so your answers aren't vague.
Negotiate start date and housing terms
Many lead counselor offers include on-site housing, meals, and stipends rather than a straight salary. Before accepting, clarify move-in dates, housing arrangements, and whether training days are compensated, since these terms vary widely and directly affect your total take-home.
Lead Camp Counselor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most lead camp counselors?
The companies hiring the most lead camp counselors right now include Steve & Kate's Camp, Girl Scouts of the USA, and YMCA, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Pennsylvania, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to concentrate at large residential programs and nonprofit youth organizations running multi-week sessions.
How many lead camp counselor jobs are remote?
About 2% of lead camp counselor openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most roles require on-site presence for camper supervision and safety. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or partial-remote arrangements include curriculum development, program coordination, and administrative planning roles within larger camp organizations.
How do you become a lead camp counselor?
Start by working at least one or two seasons as a general camp counselor to build direct experience with youth supervision and activity facilitation. Earn CPR, first aid, and any activity-specific certifications relevant to your camp type. Demonstrate leadership by mentoring junior counselors or leading a specialty cabin, then apply to lead roles at programs that match your background.
Can you get hired as a lead camp counselor with little experience?
Yes, some programs promote from within after a single strong season, especially if you've taken on informal leadership like training new counselors or running a program block. Highlighting transferable experience with youth, such as coaching, tutoring, or teaching, strengthens an application with limited direct camp history. Smaller and specialty camps often have more flexibility in their hiring criteria than large national programs.
What does the lead camp counselor interview process look like?
Most programs start with a phone or video screening focused on your experience with youth and your approach to safety and conflict situations. A second round typically involves scenario-based questions where you walk through how you'd handle real on-camp challenges. Some residential programs add a reference check and a background screening before extending an offer, with on-site training required before the session begins.
Where can I find and apply to lead camp counselor jobs?
You can find and apply to lead camp counselor jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that match your experience, program type, and location, then apply directly to each listing that fits. New openings are added regularly, so checking back frequently gives you the best shot at catching roles before they fill.
See All 286+ Lead Camp Counselor Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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