How to Get Hired at an American Summer Camp!

At Work Play USA, we know that applying to work at an American summer camp can feel a little intimidating at first, especially when you see camps asking for leadership, childcare, or activity experience. But one of the biggest things we always tell our applicants is that camps are not looking for perfect people. They are looking for counsellors who will help create a fun, positive, and supportive camp culture.

Camps want energetic, adaptable people who are willing to get involved, try new things, and bring great energy to their staff team. That’s why, during your initial interview with us, we’ll help guide you towards the roles and camps that we genuinely think would suit you best.

You also don’t need years of experience working with children to get hired. Of course, having some experience with kids is important, but camps often care just as much about personality and attitude. If you’ve worked part-time jobs, coached sports, babysat, volunteered, helped run societies, or worked well in a team environment, you already have transferable skills that camps value highly.

Once you’ve been accepted onto the WPUSA programme, we’ll support you through every stage of the application process. Your account manager will help you create a profile on our camp portal where you can highlight the roles you’re interested in and explain why you’d make a great camp counsellor. Before your profile goes live for camps to view, our team will review it with you to make sure it showcases your skills, personality, and strengths in the best possible way.

One thing we always reassure applicants about is the interview stage. Most camp interviews are far more relaxed than people expect and usually feel more like conversations than formal interviews. Camps want to get to know you, the kind of energy you would bring to camp life, how you’d interact with campers, and what you’d be like as part of their staff team.

They may ask about challenges you’ve faced, activities you enjoy, or why you want to spend your summer working abroad. We always encourage applicants to focus on their excitement for working with children, teaching activities, and being part of an amazing team. While the travel and time off are definitely exciting perks, camps are primarily looking for counsellors who are genuinely enthusiastic about working with kids and getting involved in camp life.

Before any interview, we also recommend doing a little research on the camp. It’s always a great idea to show genuine interest in their programme and have a few thoughtful questions prepared about their specific camp. And most importantly, try not to stress too much. Everyone at Work Play USA has been through this process ourselves, so we completely understand how nerve-racking it can feel. If you ever need advice or reassurance before an interview, our team is always here to help.

After the interview, the camp will let you know whether they’d like you to join their team. While it would be amazing to get hired by the first camp you interview with, don’t panic if it takes a little longer. For many people, it takes two or three interviews to find the right camp match, and it’s absolutely worth it in the end.

Once you’ve secured your placement, we’ll then guide you through the next steps, including getting your J-1 visa sorted, so you’re fully prepared for an unforgettable summer in the USA.