What is a typical day like?
A typical day at camp starts early and stays busy. As a counselor, your day might include waking campers up, supervising meals, leading or assisting with activities, and putting campers to bed at night. As support staff, your schedule depends on your role, but expect full, active days with breaks built in.
No 2 days at camp are exactly the same. From talent shows and campfires to themed dinners and camp traditions, there is always something happening.
What is the housing like?
Accommodation at camp varies, from cabins to tents to dorms. In most cases, camp counselors are housed in cabins with campers. Support staff often have separate housing. In almost all cases you will have shared bedrooms and bathrooms.
Many camps are remote and can be quite rustic. This may take some getting used to, but your accommodation will have everything you need to be comfortable during the summer. Campers and counselors often like to decorate their space with country flags and photos of family and pets at home. Your camp will let you know what to expect, and if they have not, ask before you arrive.
Do I need to bring bedding?
No. All international staff are provided with bedding and a pillow. In most cases, within the first week at camp you will be taken to Walmart for the opportunity to buy any extra items you might want.
What about food and meals?
Camps provide all meals during your placement. The food is camper-friendly and American-style. Breakfast is usually something like cereal, fruit, or toast, but some camps also serve things like breakfast burritos, pancakes, or hash browns. Lunch might include make-your-own sandwiches (peanut butter and jelly is a camp classic), soups, mac and cheese, or pizza. Dinner could be hamburgers, fajitas, tacos, or spaghetti and meatballs.
If you have dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free, camps can cater for these. Make sure your requirements are detailed correctly on your medical form so your camp is prepared before you arrive.
Do I get time off at camp?
Yes. Every staff member gets time off during the summer. Most camps give you some free time each day, plus a number of full days off throughout the season. The exact schedule varies from camp to camp, and your camp director will explain how time off works when you arrive.
On your days off, you can leave camp to explore nearby towns, go shopping, eat out, or visit local attractions with other staff. Many camps are close to lakes, beaches, hiking trails, or small towns. On shorter breaks during the day, most staff use the time to rest, call home, or hang out with friends on site.
Can I use my phone at camp?
Most camps do not allow phone use while you are working or with campers. Throughout the day, most camps will require you to have your phone locked away, and you will only be able to access it at specific times. Many camps are in remote locations with limited or no mobile phone signal, and WiFi access may be limited to staff areas during off-duty hours.
Embrace the less-screen-time environment. It is one of the unique things about camp, and your chance to be fully present and connect with people face to face.
If you urgently need to contact home, speak to a senior staff member or Camp Director.
What about laundry?
Most camps have laundry facilities available for staff, though access times may be limited and you may need to share machines with others. Some camps run a laundry schedule or have specific laundry days. Ask your camp about their setup when you arrive.
What happens if it rains?
Camps have well-established rainy day programs and indoor spaces for activities during bad weather. Many activities can be adapted for indoors, and camps have a repertoire of games, crafts, and performances specifically for weather challenges. All staff receive training on storm protocols for severe weather to keep everyone safe.
What about evening activities and traditions?
Evening activities create some of the most memorable moments at camp. These often include all-camp games, campfires with songs and stories, talent shows, dances, movie nights, and special themed events like carnivals or casino nights. Many camps celebrate July 4th with great enthusiasm, and end-of-session banquets or closing ceremonies are a highlight.
Some camps also run multi-day competitions where the whole camp divides into teams, themed days like "backwards day" or "superhero day," and overnight campouts on or off camp property. While counselors are typically involved in facilitating these activities, support staff may have the opportunity to participate or help out depending on their schedule.