Camp Counselor Resume Example and Template
This resume should show activity leadership experience, safety certifications, and comfort managing group behavior outdoors. Camps want counselors who keep kids engaged and safe through long, active days away from home.
Camp directors look first for CPR, first aid, or lifeguard certification, then specific activity skills like archery or canoeing. Mentioning age groups and cabin group sizes managed shows real readiness for the role.
A complete, realistic Camp Counselor resume, laid out in an ATS-tested template. The candidate is illustrative: the name, employers and figures were written for this example and identify no real person, so you can copy its structure and wording freely.
Updated September 2026
Also searched as
Junior Camp Counselor, Senior Camp Counselor
Casey Bennett: Camp Counselor
Asheville, United States
Summary
Camp counselor with 5 seasons of experience leading outdoor activities and cabin groups for children ages 7 to 14 at Asheville-area summer camps. Currently serves as a senior counselor overseeing 4 cabin groups and training new junior staff each season. Lifeguard and first aid certified, with strong skills in behavior management, homesickness support, and building camp-wide activities that keep campers engaged and safe.
Work Experience
Junior Camp Counselor, Camp Pisgah Forest
May 2020 – Apr 2021. overnight summer camp, Asheville
- Assisted lead counselors supervising a cabin of 10 campers ages 8 to 10 during a 6-week summer session.
- Led daily arts and crafts and swimming activities under senior staff supervision.
- Completed camp safety and behavior management training before the start of each season.
Camp Counselor, Blue Ridge Adventure Camp
May 2021 – Apr 2023. outdoor adventure day and overnight camp, Asheville
- Led a cabin of 12 campers ages 10 to 12, planning daily activity schedules and evening programs.
- Taught canoeing, archery, and rock climbing basics to groups of up to 15 campers per session.
- Managed homesickness and behavior issues using de-escalation techniques learned through camp training.
- Earned lifeguard certification and rotated into pool supervision shifts during peak weeks.
Senior Camp Counselor, YMCA Camp Watia
May 2023 – Present. YMCA overnight summer camp, Asheville
- Oversee 4 cabin groups totaling 45 campers, coordinating schedules with junior counselors.
- Train and mentor 8 to 10 junior counselors each season on safety protocol and activity leadership.
- Lead camp-wide team building games and evening programs for up to 150 campers.
- Serve as a first responder for minor injuries, applying first aid before nurse handoff when needed.
Education
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Bachelor of Arts, Recreation and Outdoor Education. Aug 2020 – May 2024
Skills
Activity planning (canoeing, archery, arts and crafts), Behavior management for ages 7 to 14, Homesickness support, Safety supervision, Cabin group leadership, Parent communication, First aid response, Team building facilitation, Junior staff training
Languages
English
Certificates and Awards
- CPR and First Aid Certification, American Red Cross, 2025
- Lifeguard Certification, American Red Cross, 2022
Why this look works
A playful, outdoorsy template with warm natural tones reflects the energy of long summer days spent leading kids through activities. Clear layout keeps certifications and age-group experience easy to spot fast.
Resume tips for this job
- List your CPR, first aid, or lifeguard certification near the top, since camps require these before hiring.
- Mention specific activities you can lead, like canoeing or archery, since specialized skills fill staffing gaps.
- Include cabin group size and camper age ranges, since it shows the scale of supervision you can manage.
- Note any junior staff training you led, since it shows growth from counselor into a leadership role.
Common questions
How do I list seasonal summer jobs without the resume looking gappy?
List each summer position with its season dates and note the seasonal nature in the company details line. Camp directors expect seasonal work in this field, so gaps between summers are completely normal and not a concern.
What certifications should I get before applying to be a camp counselor?
CPR and first aid certification is the most commonly required. Lifeguard certification is a strong addition if the camp has a pool or lake, since it often qualifies you for higher pay and more responsibility.