The Benefits of a Camp Job
Make a Difference
At Camp Akeela, we are doing nothing less than changing kids’ lives. Our campers, who don’t always feel comfortable in other settings, find a home here at camp. They are not just accepted at Akeela, but are celebrated. They are more likely in this setting than anywhere else to make meaningful connections with peers and older role models, which leads to increased self-esteem, confidence and pride. While the full-time directors lay the foundation by preparing the program and hiring the staff, it’s without doubt the summer staff members who are most directly responsible for this amazing transformation.
Community
As much as Camp Akeela is about its campers, we place a tremendous emphasis on building a sense of community amongst everyone at camp. Campers and counselors alike leave Akeela feeling like a part of something special, something bigger than themselves, and counting down the days until they can return the following summer!
Location
Camp Akeela is set on 400 wooded acres in Vermont, on the shores of a 65 acre mountain lake. We are only 25 minutes from the college town of Hanover, NH. On days off, staff members can enjoy trips to Boston, Montreal, the Maine Seacoast, Burlington VT, or hiking in the Green or White Mountains
Compensation & Financial Benefits
In addition to a once-in-a-lifetime experience in which you’ll be a true influencer in the lives of young people, a summer at Akeela also offers a highly competitive salary package:
- Base Salary – Every staff member receives a competitive base salary for their summer work, which forms the foundation of their compensation package.
- End of Season Bonus – At the end of the season, staff members earn a bonus in recognition of their dedication, contributions, and impact throughout the summer.
- Travel Allowance – Staff members are paid a (non-taxed) reimbursement for a portion of their travel costs
- Certification Compensation – Counselors who receive certifications for their job at camp, such as Lifeguarding, First Aid/CPR, or Wilderness Training may be eligible for reimbursement. These certifications not only benefit camp but also provide staff with valuable, transferable credentials for the future.
- Additional Roles & Responsibilities – Staff members who take on leadership positions (e.g. activity heads, assistant head counselors) receive additional compensation for their expertise and contributions.
- Paid Internship Opportunities – Counselors can apply their summer work toward college credit through our internship program.
- Worker’s Compensation Coverage – In the unlikely event of a work-related injury, staff are covered under workers’ compensation, ensuring financial protection and medical care if needed.
- Room & Board Provided – All housing and meals are included throughout the summer. Staff enjoy three meals a day and snacks at no cost.
Compensation (base salary, completion bonus and travel allowance) for most first-time Akeela cabin counselors and specialists is as follows:
- Completing freshman year of college: $2100 salary + travel allowance
- Completing sophomore year of college: $2200 salary + travel allowance
- Completing junior year of college: $2300 salary + travel allowance
- Completing senior year of college: $2400 salary + travel allowance
- One or more year post-college: $2500 salary + travel allowance
We absolutely love having international counselors at Akeela! If you do come to us from another country, your salary will differ slightly from the figures listed above, due to the cost of visa processing and health insurance and/or international staff agency fees.
Other Benefits
- Camp Gear – This includes staff t-shirts, lanyards, whistles, clipboards, binders, notebooks, etc. All apparel is yours to keep after the summer.
- Laundry Service – Regular laundry service is available to staff at no charge.
- Time Off Shuttle Service – On all days off and many evenings out, camp provides transportation to and from local destinations.
- Technology & Staff Lounge – Counselors have access to Wi-Fi and a dedicated staff lounge, which includes a small weight-lifting gym.
- Healthcare Support – Onsite licensed nurses are available to provide medical care throughout the summer.
- Use of Camp Facilities – When not interfering with camp programming, staff members have access to a wide range of facilities, including boating, tennis & pickleball, sports fields and more.
Time Off
We appreciate how hard our counselors work and believe that time off is extremely important to maintaining a happy, motivated staff. Weekly 24-hour days off are supplemented by regular evenings out of camp and down-time during each regular camp day.
Other Benefits
- Mentorship & Coaching – Every staff member has a supervisor who meets 1:1 with them throughout the summer. They help set goals, reflect on progress, and provide guidance for camp and beyond.
- Professional Network – You’ll join a network of Akeela alumni who remain actively engaged in professional fields across the country. This network has helped countless staff members secure jobs, internships, and career opportunities after camp.
- Letters of Recommendation – Staff may request letters of recommendation and references from leadership and administrative staff, who can speak to their professionalism, leadership, and character.
- Friendships & Community – Akeela staff members consistently describe the relationships they build at camp as life-changing. Shared experiences, traditions, and memories make our staff community a lifelong network of support and friendship.
Acquire Skills & Build Your Resume, Too!
According to the American Camp Association:
Camp jobs offer invaluable skill-building, leadership, training, and enrichment opportunities found nowhere else. Regardless of your college major, camp experiences allow you to learn and develop skills that will enhance your job marketability. The benefits go far beyond a paycheck, too. Business executives often note that experience as a camp counselor translates into excellent management and personnel skills. Young adults working as counselors have the opportunity to:
- live, play and work in the great outdoors;
- experience another part of the country;
- bank more money that you think – with few expenses;
- master real-life problem-solving skills;
- have a significant and positive influence in the lives of children;
- develop greater self-understanding;
- participate in experiences that enhance personal growth; and
- make friends from all over the US and abroad.
Camp Akeela also offers college and graduate level internships and/or practicum hours. Give us a call to find out if a summer at Akeela will satisfy the requirements of your particular situation.
What Staff Say About Working At Camp Akeela
“I am still amazed at how happy I am that I got to be a part of Camp Akeela. I feel so lucky to have found you guys and my life has been changed in so many ways by everything that happened at camp.”
“Since being back at school, I haven’t been able to stop talking and thinking about camp. Everyone asks me how my summer was, and all I can manage to tell them is that there is simply no way to describe it. I would be letting Akeela down if I simply told everyone that it was “great”, because “great” is the understatement of the century!”
“There is a part of me that absolutely changed in the time I spent at camp. Akeela is such a special and unique place, and it is so rare that you come across a community that after only 8 weeks, you can call your second home. In short, thank you so much for letting me be a part of your staff and your family this summer.”
“I just want you to know how much this past summer meant to me. I had such a wonderful time, making new friends and learning new things. Going into the summer I wasn’t sure what to expect. Anyone who knows me knows that I am definitely not a rough-it type girl; bugs and I have never quite gotten along! This being said, I LOVED camp. It was by far the best summer of my life!”
“Even though it’s nice being home surrounded by family and old friends, I have seriously felt the loss of my new home and family at Akeela. This is a summer I will never forget. Camp helped all of us, campers and counselors alike, to reach our full potential. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be a part of such a special place.”
“This summer was so much fun and I can’t believe all the amazing experiences in which I got to partake. It truly reminded me the reason I want to be a teacher.”
“It’s been two days and I am already dreaming of a time where I can be back on Miller Pond enjoying the sun and experiencing that amazing feeling which I can only describe as Akeela.”
“I didn’t realize that I could like a job as much as I did. After leaving, it really hit me hard. Camp opened my eyes to a whole world and confirmed that I really do want to work with children the rest of my life!!”
“Just a quick email to thank you yet again for everything you have done for me this summer. Thank you so much for being there for me every step of the way in long and hard, yet awesome summer, the best of my life!”
“I have grown so much from this experience and I walked away with so much more than I could have ever expected. Not only did I gain valuable experience, but I made some wonderful friends and priceless memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
“Before this year I had no idea what was in store for me after graduation. I only hope that whatever I end up doing with my life, it will be something as fulfilling as my work this past summer.”
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