Working at a summer camp seems like a pretty relaxation occupation.
You get to spend plenty of time outdoors helping kids learn and have fun, right?
And yes, theres plenty of work that needs doing during the off-seasons too.
In the non-summer months, I hectically plan for the upcoming summer.
Im excited for summer 2016 since it will be my second summer at my camp.
What drove you to choose your career path?
A series of random events lead me to where I am now.
Two years ago I finished my teaching commitment withTeach For Americaas a special educator in Baltimore City.
I thought this could be a good gig that could lead to something a bit more permanent.
Unlike most people aspiring to be camp directors, I would say I was fast-tracked into this role.
At most camps, they typically look for directors with a few years of camp leadership.
What kinds of things do you do beyond what most people see?
What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?
Theres actually tons [to do]!
My job is tied to making sure that I meet budget.
So marketing the camp to parents is my number one priority.
What other misconceptions do people often have about your job?
For the most part, camps are not the wild-wild west anymore.
Along that line, camps are moving toward a more professional work environment.
Many camp directors attend conferences to learn best practices in marketing, program development, and risk management.
These almost always preventable incidents perpetrate the idea that camp is the wild west.
What are your average work hours?
Typical 9-5 thing or not?
Theres a lot of moving parts during the summer months that will make for +80 hour work weeks.
Being a camp director is a lifestyle, not a job.
To ensure program quality and safety, you must be constantly present around camp.
The buck stops with you.
What personal tips and shortcuts made your job easier?
Google Calendar is also a quite powerful tool in scheduling interviews and meetings throughout the year.
Dropbox serves as our file database.
What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?
Also, you want to praise the staff members who are doing well so they dont lose motivation.
Then its my expectation that they do the same with the staff that they supervise.
Whats the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?
Living where you work has its challenges.
Many camps provide housing for year-round staff, which is financially great because room and board is typically free.
My commute from my house to my office is a 30 second walk.
On the flip side, that can really suck.
I live in Hawaii, so I make a run at go for hikes and explore the island.
Whats the most enjoyable part of the job?
We also provide scholarships and financial assistance to families that cant typically provide a camp experience for their child.
Im in charge of awarding financial aid and its always humbling to read over the applications.
Above all, its great to help create the environment where kids can become the best versions of themselves.
What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?
The pay dramatically varies between camps across the country.
are receiving the same yearly wage as someone flipping burgers down the street.
Is there a way to move up in your field?
Its a matter of finding your niche to move up in the camp industry.
Some summer camp directors become executive directors of larger camps that have multiple sites.
It typically comes with a nice pay increase (+$60,000) with similar housing benefits.
If you are talented and ambitious, you’re able to always move up in this field.
What do people under/over value about what you do?
In life we strive for accuracy at university and at work.
There are a lot of transferable skills.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
For that reason, its not terribly difficult to snag a job somewhere .
I would highly recommendnotgetting a camp-related degree though, such as recreation or a sports science.
Many camps close down because of poor business decisions.
Get a bachelors in marketing, business, or a related field.
Remember your mission and stay true to itdo whatever thats best for the kids and good things will follow.
This interview been lightly edited for clarity.
