An Opportunity Like No Other
Our staff is a team of highly committed individuals. We dedicate ourselves fully to delivering a quality program experience and are committed to our mission and goals. We pride ourselves in creating a caring, inclusive and welcoming environment that uses fun, interactive and challenging activities to build relationships and grow personal confidence.
Overnight Camp Counselor Application Information
Application Process
Our application and interview processes are competitive. Summer staff applications go live in mid-October and include a form for applicants to submit their resumes, three references, agree to a background check and fill out a questionnaire. After submitting the application, applicants will hear from our HR Directors about scheduling an interview with a member of our Staffing Team. Interviews are typically 30 to 60 minutes in length, often via video conference.
Staff Requirements
Patience, flexibility and endurance are the three most important qualities when working as a counselor. Your role as a counselor requires you to work long hours, present your best self, have a high energy level and selflessly serve others. CILT (Camper in Leadership Training) experience and/or one to two years of experience working with children is preferred. Priority will be given to applicants who can attend Staff Training Week through the end of Second Session (June 1 – Aug. 8, 2025). Staff Training Week is required for all new staff members who have never been to Camp.
Competitive Salary
We offer salaries that are competitive with those of other top overnight camps nationwide. Salaries are based on experience and include bonuses for certifications and for working the full summer. Staff are paid every other week during the summer, and compensation is subject to state and federal taxes. We offer scholarships to help with the cost of college and staffing directors can work individually with counselors to create internships from their job.
2025 Summer Counselor Jobs
New and returning summer overnight camp counselors have different application processes. Please select the correct application for your position.
Overnight Camp Counselor Staff Benefits
There are many benefits to summer employment at Camp. Looking past the beautiful landscape and the chance to spend a summer on the water, there are opportunities for skill and leadership growth you won't find at a typical summer office job. Not to mention access to the vast network of alumni and former staff in cities around the United States.
2025 Health Staff Jobs
Summer 2025 Health Center jobs are seasonal hires.
Detailed Information for Overnight Camp Counselor Jobs
Working at Camp provides a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth that extends far beyond the summer months. Staff members develop essential leadership skills by managing groups and teaching activities, while also honing their ability to communicate effectively with campers and fellow staff members.
Staff may face unexpected challenges that enhance their problem-solving abilities and resilience, teaching them to adapt to changing circumstances with grace. Additionally, the experience cultivates creativity and innovation through activity planning, nurturing skills that are invaluable in any career. Engaging with a varied group of people from around the world fosters the ability to form meaningful, collaborative connections with others where learning to work as a team is the goal, regardless of personal opinions or differences.
The friendships and professional networks formed at Camp can last a lifetime, while the rewarding experience of positively impacting campers’ lives offers a profound sense of fulfillment and purpose. Ultimately, working at Camp is not just a seasonal job; it’s a transformative experience that shapes future leaders and enriches personal development.
Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer offer scholarships and internships for overnight camp counselors.
Newman Family Medical Scholarship: This scholarship was created by Dr. Kurt Newman and his family to provide an opportunity for Senior Counselors interested in medicine to gain experience through our vast network of healthcare professionals. It offers a clinical mentorship alongside the doctors at Camp during the summer season and concludes with an immersion experience at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. in September. Interested applicants should apply in the early new year.
The program consists of three major components:
Clinical experience: At least three times per week, scholars will shadow physicians and nurses during sick call, inpatient rounds and health center administration.
Physician-mentor relationship: Each scholar will be assigned a mentor physician who serves as a volunteer doctor during the summer. The mentor and the scholar will be in communication throughout the summer, ideally forming a relationship that lasts beyond the summer to benefit the scholar through med school applications, etc.
Immersion experience: The scholars will participate in a three-day (all expenses covered by Camp) trip to Washington, D.C. to visit Children’s National Hospital and meet with various doctors.
Overnight Camp Scholarship: The YMCA Overnight Camp Scholarship is for Senior Counselors who have completed at least one full summer at Camp and who have a 3.0 minimum GPA. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide extra funding to a staff member who might find that pay is a barrier to an otherwise amazing job. Upon completion of the summer, the staff member will receive $5,000 that will go directly to their university. Additionally, the staff member may participate as a member of the Philanthropy Committee, assist in staff data collection and serve as a role model for all.
Internships: The Staffing Directors can work with staff members to create an internship out of the job they’re already contracted to do.
A formal internship that’s recognized by a university: An example of this would be a staff member who completed an internship for her Parks and Rec major through Camp. Other fields that would align well with a job at Camp are psychology, sociology, education, marketing and communications, healthcare and physical education.
An informal internship that gives the staff member experience in a particular field: An example of this would be a staff member who’s majoring in finance - we can connect them with the VP of Finance for the YMCA of the Triangle and a Sea Gull or Seafarer alumna who now works at a major bank. A previous Seafarer alumna did this and met with them virtually to ask questions and get advice on her career path.
One of the most significant advantages of working at Camp is the extensive network of alumni connections that spans across diverse industries worldwide.
Camp alumni often find themselves in influential roles in fields such as healthcare, business, law, government, athletics, technology, arts, nonprofits, education, etc., creating direct connections for many professional pathways. This interconnected community fosters collaboration, mentorship and support, enabling current and former staff to leverage these relationships for career advancement and personal growth. Whether seeking advice, job opportunities or partnerships, the Camp network serves as a powerful resource that enhances professional journeys and opens doors to new possibilities.
The bonds formed during those shared experiences often lead to lifelong friendships and collaborative ventures, demonstrating the enduring impact of the Camp experience on individuals’ lives and careers.
Many successful alumni credit their success solely to their time working at Sea Gull and Seafarer and are happy to give back to the next generation of successful alumni.
All overnight camp cabin counselors live with or are assigned to a cabin of campers. They are responsible for the supervision of their campers at all times – at sunup and sundown, before and during meals, during rest periods and rainy periods, and evening programs. Most cabins have between 10 and 14 campers and are supervised by two, three or four counselors. Campers are between the ages of 6 and 16 and are placed in cabins with others of the same age/grade. Counselors can rank their age group preferences in a form ahead of the summer.
All overnight camp counselors are also assigned to an activity. They will stay working on this activity for the entire summer. Counselors report to their activities every day for program periods - 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. They work the entire activity period, weather permitting.
Typical daily schedule:
7:30 a.m. Campers Wake Up
8 a.m. Breakfast
9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Activities
1 p.m. Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Rest Period
2:30 - 5:30 p.m. Activities
6 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Evening Programs
8:45 p.m. Campers shower and get ready for bed
9:15 p.m. Counselors lead devotion and give goodnights to each camper
Activities for Cabin Staff include:
- Alpine Tower/Ropes
- Aquatics
- Archery,
- Athletics
- Creative Arts
- Golf
- Paddle Sports
- Powerboating
- Riflery
- Sailing
- Tennis
A small number of our activities do not require staff to live in a cabin or be assigned to campers. The scope of their role requires them to have additional responsibilities during cabin time. While not assigned to a cabin of campers, these roles still make a tremendous impact on the lives of our campers and staff. These activities include Headquarters/Camp Store, Horseback Riding (Seafarer only), Nanny, Office Staff, Operations, Weightroom (Sea Gull only).
In some instances, certifications are needed for staff to fulfill specific roles at Camp:
- Lifeguard certification is required to work at Aquatics and Paddle Sports
- A Coast Guard license is required to drive campers on boats at Powerboating
- U.S. Sailing Level 1 Instructor certification is required to teach campers how to sail specific boats
- U.S. Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling Instructor is required to teach campers how to drive specific boats
- A Keelboat Instructor is required to teach campers how to sail large boats
- CDL is required to drive buses
- CPR/First Aid is required to have a Lifeguard certification and Coast Guard license
Camp recognizes and gives bonuses for the following certifications:
- Lifeguard (must be through YMCA, American Red Cross, International Lifeguard Training Program, Starfish Aquatics Institute)
- Lifeguard Instructor
- Coast Guard License
- U.S. Sailing Level 1 Instructor
- U.S. Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling Instructor
- Keelboat Instructor
- CDL
- CPR/First Aid
If the certification is needed for the staff member’s primary job and is obtained offsite, the staff member will receive a $150 bonus. If the certification is needed for the staff member’s primary job and was obtained at Camp/paid for by Camp, the staff member will receive a $150 bonus beginning the second year of having the certification. Non-primary certifications (i.e. not needed for the job the staff member is doing) qualify for a $75 bonus. If the staff member is only working half the summer, certification bonuses are $75.