Working at a summer camp abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is working at a summer camp abroad like?

Working at a summer camp abroad means guiding a group of children or young people during their holiday filled with activities, adventure, and social interaction.
You often work as a camp counselor, activity leader, or staff member and are responsible for the well-being, safety, and fun of the participants.
Most summer camps take place in nature and revolve around sports, games, creativity, and personal development. Think of campfires, hikes, water sports, arts and crafts, theater, or team games.
You usually work in an international team and live at the same location as the children and your colleagues during the camp. It is intensive, social, and often one of those experiences that people talk about for years to come.

Guiding a group of children or young people.
Organizing and conducting activities such as sports, games, and creative workshops.
Ensuring the safety and well-being of participants.
Assisting with daily routines (eating, sleeping, planning).
Motivating and inspiring children.
Identifying and resolving problems within the group.
Collaborating with other camp counselors and staff. Assisting with the setup and dismantling of activities or camp weeks.

Contract duration is often a few weeks to a few months (usually during the summer period).
Compensation varies from volunteer work or a small allowance to paid work.
Accommodation is usually included at the camp (you often sleep in cabins, tents, or staff housing).
Usually the job is fully catered, sometimes including snacks.
Extras can be excursions, training, or certificates (e.g., lifeguard or activity skills).
Often intensive, often long days with limited free time during camp weeks.

To gain experience: you work intensively with children and develop skills that are also valuable in education, coaching, or care.
To become a stronger communicator: you learn to interact with different ages, cultures, and personalities.
To build self-confidence: you stand in front of groups and take responsibility for others.
To become flexible: no day goes exactly as planned, and you learn to switch gears quickly.
To be involved: you build a strong bond with children and colleagues.
To practice creativity: a lot can happen when working with kids, and sometimes those situations require not just flexibility, but also creativity.

Responsibility: you take care of the safety and well-being of others.
Communication skills: communicating clearly and enthusiastically with children and colleagues.
Flexibility: dealing with unexpected situations and changing plans.
Energy and enthusiasm: you motivate groups and bring positive energy.
Collaborative skills: you work closely with a team.
Creativity: devising and supervising activities and solutions.

Classic summer camp destinations: United States, Canada.
Europe: United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland.
Outdoor and nature-oriented camps: Norway, Sweden, Austria, France, Japan.
Volunteer projects and community camps: South Africa, Nepal, Thailand, Costa Rica.

that there is an unsafe working environment due to nature, activities, or limited facilities in remote locations, which can lead to forced evacuations or changes of plans.
that the workload is high due to long days, little rest, and constant responsibility for children, which can lead to stress-related complaints.
that physical strain arises from moving a lot, lifting, and being active.
that stress arises due to group dynamics, homesickness in children, or unexpected situations.
that you become ill due to fatigue, hygiene, or intensive living together with large groups.
that accidents occur during activities such as sports, swimming, or other outdoor activities with medical consequences.
that you have little privacy because you live and work with the same group of people.
When you work in the tourism sector, you may be exposed to greater financial or legal risks as soon as you start performing your work under your own responsibility. It is advisable, as far as possible, to also inquire to what extent your local employer is adequately insured for accidents, technical errors, or misjudgments. Of course, this is not always the case, nor can it be always ascertained in advance. Take this into account as much as possible when deciding whether to perform certain risky tasks.

There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may lapse. See the pages on: insuring paid work, internships, or volunteering abroad.
See also: insurance for working at a summer camp for paid work, for internships and for volunteer work abroad.

Access:

Public

Check more