[youtube:gb98QQhvIdY;[link:Nature Summer Camp];http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb98QQhvIdY&feature=related] Going to summer camp has long been a summer job for yung adults. At Swift Nature Camp were I have been the director since the mid 1990′s we hire some of the best folks at any summer camp.

Camps jobs are more than just being a camp counselor, living with the children. Camp positions include: sport instructors, lifeguards, kitchen staff, cooks, and more An advantage to any applicant is experience with kids, teaching or babysitting. At our camp no experience is needed but it cam help. Summer camps are open with the age of hires. We only hire over 18 but some higher high school folks.

The job of Summer Camp Counseloris one of the most rewarding jobs available to young adults. It is really hard work, even though the movies make it look like a life of fun and little responsibility. Most, positions require little or no experience. It is a muct to have a desire to work with kids. Education Majors are great! Counselors are nearly always on duty, organizing activities, keeping campers safe, and acting as supervisors and mentors. At Swift Nature Camp many of our counselors do double duty. They maybe sports instructors, arts and crafts teachers as well as live in cabins with children.

Camps also have other summer jobs these include sports and nature instructors. Sports instructors are often college athletes, and science and nature camps often offer assistant instructor positions to science majors with an interest in education.

At Swift we begin the rehiring process early in the fall. Our goal is to be fully hired in April. This does not always happen because of last minute changes, so don’t give up just because its late in the year. Because many of our applicant are not nearby all of our interviews take place via phone.

So how do you find these jobs? As with most things these days…the internet. You can look at individual Summer Camp websites. Or you may look at a website that consolidates many camp jobs in one place and has little bits of information about each camp, prior to going to the camps website

Non-U.S. citizens desiring to work in the U.S. at a summer camp should research the staffing agencies that recruit and hire staff for hundreds of American camps.

One of the nice things about summer camp employment is that Most Summer Camps do not require a resume, you just need to complete the application online. The only down side to this is you might fill out our application and another 10 that are somewhat similar.

Sure camp is all about FUN, yet it is a serious job. So treat the interview professionally. It is important to convey your enthusiasm, be honest and responsible. At Swift Nature Camp our goal is to hire fun, safe, responsible, interesting counselors.

Choose appropriate jobs to apply for – jobs that fit your skills and experiences. For example, if you aren’t a certified lifeguard, don’t apply for lifeguard jobs. Summer camps will provide some on-the-job training, but they expect you to meet basic qualifications. First Aid, CPR, Wilderness First Responder, and lifeguard certifications all make you more competitive, even if you are not applying for a lifeguard job.

Some camps have an age requirement at Swift Nature Camp you have to be 18. Other camps are more open and will hire folks who are still in H.S. Be sure to read the job description not to waste your time or the directors.

We as Directors of Swift Nature Camp, first look for special instructors in areas we need to fill, archery, rifelry or paddling leaders. After filling these positions we look for personable college students. Being a mentor to children requires being friendly and understanding. Next, or maybe first we look for responsible people that will keep our campers safe. Being a camp counselor requires giving of yourself 99% of the time. Camp hours are long, with few hours off all day. Camp is not a job it is a community of life.

At Swift Nature Camp we interview nearly twice as many folks as we hire. Applications do not always get interviews, but don’t get discouraged. If you are qualified and have a good application. If you convey your interest for children and desire to live at a summer camp during the interview, you will find a amazingly rewarding summer ahead.

This summer become a camp counselor, to do so, fill out an application on line at Swift Nature Camp.

About the authors: Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz are the directors of Swift Nature Camp, a non-competitive, traditional coed overnight Summer Camp located in Northern Wisconsin. To learn more about be Summer Camp Counselor Jobs see our website

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