3 Things We Look for When Hiring Summer Camp Staff

by Ricky MacGregor (Assistant Director)

What makes a good summer camp counselor or activity leader?

Our answer is pretty standard: there is no one thing that makes a good counselor. Every person brings their own unique talents, character, and abilities to camp. For every counselor who excels at being at the front of the group and taking charge, bringing a tremendous amount of energy that spreads to those around them, there is a counselor who is a bit more reserved and quiet who offers a calming presence for the campers they work with. So, while there is no one thing in particular that makes someone a good Nature Place staffer,

here are 3 things we look for when hiring summer camp staff, and how those qualities make our experience so impactful.

1. They are ready to play and get dirty

I’ll often say in interviews that the experience here at The Nature Place is just as much for the staff as it is for the campers. I’m looking for people who are ready to have a great time, who want to run around with our campers, create a project at Art, build a fairy house at Nature’s Playground, climb the climbing tree, and everything else that TNP has to offer. When the staff are having fun, our campers take those modeling cues and energy and do the same.

2. They are willing to try new things and push themselves out of their comfort zone

For many of our staff and campers, the activities we offer may be things they’ve never had the opportunity to try. Maybe they’ve never had the chance to pick up a screwdriver for woodwork, or there’s a food they’ve never considered eating at cooking. Having the open mind to try something new is an attribute we look for in a potential staff member. And with that, the willingness to push themselves out of their comfort zone. The Nature Place is a safe space to push ourselves to do things we usually wouldn’t have the chance to do. We call this taking “safe risks.” I often use the example of being at climbing and being a bit scared of heights. Being willing to try climbing, knowing all of the safety equipment, trained climbing staff, and supportive and kind counselors can help anyone take on a fear of heights by taking the first step off the ground. Maybe it’s only one step, or halfway up — but when our campers see their counselor try something they usually wouldn’t, it can be a powerful experience. It gives them the courage to say “Hey, if my counselor can overcome that fear, maybe I can too.”

3. They want to make a difference and be a role model

Working with TNP campers is an awesome responsibility for our staff. When working with campers, our staff have the opportunity to make a massive difference in their lives. Getting to spend six weeks of the summer with campers playing, listening, mentoring, and being a friend can have a lasting impact felt way after the summer months. I still think about a counselor I had growing up, Nicole, and her impact on me. She was always approachable and willing to go the extra mile to ensure I was comfortable and connected. In many ways, I think that experience played a huge part in my desire to work at The Nature Place. That’s the impact our staff have on our campers. Our staff have the chance to be an amplified role model because of the time they spend with the campers and by being their biggest cheerleaders/teachers. Everything I’ve shared to this point comes back to the character of the staff and how they model that character. It’s something we spend a lot of time training on during Staff Orientation Week (40 hours in total) and something we discuss at length in the interviews even before someone walks onto camp in the summer. The people who prioritize making a positive impact and model good character for our campers are the people we look for to join our staff family.

The staff here at The Nature Place are the best of the best; they make our program as special as it is. Like I said at the beginning, there is no one specific thing that makes someone a great staff person; everyone brings their unique skills and talents to the table, and the things that I look for when talking with potential staff are just a few of the many qualities our staff have. If you know someone who resembles this description, mention the experience at The Nature Place and have them check out more about us by clicking here!