Different Types Of Summer Camps
If you’re wondering about the different types of summer camps in the USA, then you have come to the right place.
In this article we outline the different types of camps so you will have a good idea of which summer camp you would potentially like to work at.
We have been working at summer camps since 2015 and we know it is one of the best jobs in the world to have.
We start by outlining the traditional sleepaway summer camps in America before outlining some of the more niche summer camps that focus on special needs, religion, scouts and more.
So, let’s dive into the different types of summer camps:
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Different Types Of Summer Camps
Firstly we are going to start by saying that it is really important to know what type of summer camp you want to work in. To be the best camp counselor you can be, you want to be working in an environment that is right for you.
It isn’t going to be beneficial for you, or the campers, if you decide to work at a dedicated tennis-camp when you have never picked up a tennis racquet before.
That’s why we are going to highlight the different types of summer camps, as well as giving you a few real-life examples of different camps around the US, so you can decide which summer camp you would like to work in.
Irrespective of which type of camp you choose to work at, you’ll still be needing to know what you need to take with you - our reviews of the best backpacks for summer camp counselors and best shoes for summer camp counselors are a great place to start.
Traditional Co-ed Sleepaway Camps
The first type of camp we are going to highlight is the traditional co-ed sleepaway camp. Arguably, this type of summer camp is the most stereotypical and the one that the majority of people think about when they think of summer camps.
Traditional Co-ed Sleepaway Camps are exactly what you would expect - the camp is split up into Boys’ Campus and Girls’ Campus and while boys and girls live separately, they do a lot of activities together and are free to interact and enjoy their summer together.
Here are some examples of traditional co-ed sleepaway camps:
Timber Lake West -The camp we are lucky enough to call our summer home and what we firmly believe to be the best summer camp to work
Timber Lake West - a traditional co-ed sleepaway camp in Upstate New York
Specialist Activity/Interest Camps: Arts, Drama, Sport etc.
The second type of summer camp we are going to dive into are the specialist activity/interest camps.
These camps cover a broad range of specialities but are essentially camps that have a primary focus on one thing - whether this is a specific sport, like hockey-camps, or whether its art camps, drama camps or even robotics camps.
Here are some examples of specialist activity/interest camps:
Stagedoor Manor Camp - Performing arts camp
Camp Ballibay - Theatre, Art, Music and Dance camp
Amplify Sleepaway Camp - Girls Music camp
Special Needs Camps
Special needs camps are designed to ensure that everybody can find their summer home, irrespective of who they are or how they present.
These camps are set-up to be able to cater for children and campers with very specialised, individual needs - this could be ensuring all camp facilities are wheelchair friendly or having a number of accessible sensory rooms on campus.
Here are some examples of special needs camps:
Ascendio Camps - Summer Camps for individuals with autism
Easter Seals - Camp for individuals with disabilities
Smile-a-Mile - Camp for children affected by childhood cancer
Regardless the type of summer camp, the kids will always have the best summer
Faith/Religion Based Camps
One type of summer camp that you may not have considered before are the faith/religion oriented camps. In the US, the most typical examples are Jewish or Christian Camps.
Typically faith based camps focus on developing good values and a deeper understanding of a religion/faith but the degree to which the level of faith is practised at these camps can differ greatly.
Some faith/religion camps only require you to pray before meal times, whereas other camps may run religious workshops throughout the day.
Here are some examples of faith/religion based camps:
Camp Tamakwa - Jewish Camp
Tawonga Camp - Jewish Camp
Barefoot Republic - Christian Camp
Did you know? There are many different types of camps and there are also plenty of different summer camp agencies who hire international camp counselors - our summer camp agency comparison outlines the major players in the summer camp agency realm.
Camps for children from Underprivileged Backgrounds
Camp for children from underprivileged backgrounds are able to provide a summer camp opportunity for campers that potentially wouldn't have the chance to go to camp otherwise.
Working at a camp for children from underprivileged backgrounds can be a really rewarding experience as you will be providing the summer of a lifetime for your campers.
Typically camps for children from underprivileged backgrounds will be co-ed and will be built on the same mould as traditional sleepaway camps.
Here are some examples of camps for children from underprivileged backgrounds:
Big City Mountaineers - week-long wilderness backpacking trips for underserved 13-18 year olds from California
Fernbrook Farm - One-week day camp for children who qualify for free lunches in New Jersey
Camp Tadmor - Christian Camp in Oregon
Wilderness/Expedition Camps
Wilderness/Expedition camps are a great type of summer camp to work at if you have experience working and living in the outdoors and love nature.
This experience could be through scouts/guide, Duke of Edinburgh Award or general experience camping, canoeing and climbing.
While the majority of summer camps on this list will feature a climbing wall and camp fires, which themselves need specialist counselors to run, the main difference with Wilderness/Expedition Camps is that they focus solely on that aspect of camp life.
It is not uncommon to find camps that offer 2 or 3 night canoe trips or wild camping excursions as part of their summer curriculum.
Here are some examples of wilderness/expeditions camps:
Gender Specific Camps
I think you can probably gather what type of camp these ones are. Gender Specific Camps are either all-boys or all-girls camps.
This typically refers to the campers attending the camps rather than the staff members themselves as it often happens that female staff members can work at an all-boys camp and vice versa.
As with one-gender schools, working at gender-specific camps poses its own unique challenges but it can certainly be very rewarding.
Here are some examples of gender specific camps:
Camp Danbee - All-girls
Lake of the Woods Camp - All-girls
Camp Winadu - All-boys
Summer Camps are often found in beautiful surroundings
Not for Profit Camps
Not-for-profit camps have been categorised on their own here just to highlight the difference between not-for-profit camps and privately owned camps, however, in reality they could fall into any of the above categories.
For example, many not-for-profit camps operate a traditional co-ed sleepaway programme, while some may be gender-specific or focus on music and drama.
The point is that not-for-profit camps are usually run by charities and organisations, like the YMCA, and can often be more affordable for campers as a result.
Here are some examples of not-for-profit camps:
Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters - Christian Mission Camp
Okizu Camp - Supporting families with childhood cancer
Camp Starfish - Traditional Co-ed Sleepaway
Scout Camps
Scout Camps are operated by the Scouts of America and have a wide array of different styles and approaches to their summer program.
Some Scout Camps are based on the traditional sleepaway mould, while others are exclusively day-camp only. Regardless however, working at a Scout Camp is all about fostering and nurturing the Scout values.
The majority of Scout Camps across the USA run multiple one-week sessions, meaning you will get to meet lots and lots of new campers every week.
Here are some examples of different scout camps:
Philmont Scout Ranch - All-Boys
Camp Emerald Bay - All-Boys
Burke Lake Adventures Day Camp - All-girls
Summer Camp Counselor - the best job in the world
Different Summer Camp Counselor Roles
Now that you have seen the different types of summer camps available throughout the USA, we figured it would be important for you to get a little flavour of the different summer camp counselor roles you can work.
Broadly speaking, camp roles and responsibilities can be split into two main categories - General Counselors and Specialist Counselors.
General Counselor Role:
This is the most common summer camp counselor role. You are essentially a counselor for one designated group of kids and it is your job to take them to activities, look after them and generally be there for them. It is the most “traditional” summer camp counselor role you can have.
Specialist Counselor Roles:
Specialist counselors differ from general counselors in that they specialise in one specific role at camp and it is their duty to look after that area every day. Examples of specialist counselors could be ropes course staff, lifeguards, arts and crafts counselors or horse-riding specialists.
If you have a specific skill or prior experience working in one of the specialty areas, it is likely that a camp would want to hire you as a specialist counselor. If you don’t have specific experience, or more generalised experience working with kids, it is likely that being placed as a general counselor will be your best option.
Remember: in order to be hired as a counselor you are going to need to know how to nail your summer camp interview!
Specialist Counselors on the Ropes Course
Do you want to work as a Camp Counselor this summer?
If you want to work as a summer camp counselor this year, then our guide on how to become a camp counselor is the first place you need to visit.
In the guide, we outline the process to becoming a summer camp counselor in the USA and we even have a discount code that allows you to get a significant saving on your application and visa fees.
If you’re not sure whether being a summer camp counselor is the right job for you, then perhaps the main reasons why you should become a summer camp counselor this year will help persuade you.
We hope this rundown of all the different types of summer camp has provided you with a good idea of what summer camps in the USA are all about.
Working at a summer camp is one of the most rewarding jobs you could ever have and we hope this article has inspired you to consider working at camp this summer.
