Making Extra Money Taking Summer Camp Jobs

So you're finally on summer break and are looking for a way to make some extra cash this summer. Why not work at a summer camp? What's not to like? Spend every day in the sun, be a mentor for kids, all while padding your pockets with a little extra cash. Sounds pretty easy right? Well, there is a little more to working summer camps than what is advertised on those online ads.

My first major experience with summer camps was with Camp Lokanda in Glen Spey, New York. When I first started looking at summer camp jobs I spent a large amount of time online looking at websites. I slowly widdled down my choices by factors like, does this camp have indoor plumbing? Does it look like the facilities are well maintained? Do the kids look happy? These may not seem like important issues to you now, but trust me when your in your second month working for one of these camps, things like indoor plumbing make a big difference in how your camp experience goes.

Next is where I started the application process. I applied to about ten different camps (of which I got six offers) and waited for the emails/calls to come in. Be prepared to answer simple questions such as, "what type of experience do you have working with kids," or "tell me of a time when you had a particularly difficult kid and how did you deal with the situation." The interview process is really not that hard and is usually done over the phone. After the interviewer has had a chance to ask you their questions they will usually open it up the floor to you to ask them questions as well. This is where you will have a chance to ask questions such as, how much will I be paid, and what age of kids will I be working with etc...

Now, when it comes to pay summer camps are not exactly going to make you a millionaire. I had a pretty substantial amount of experience with working with kids and also with theater and music, and so had a little more leeway to negotiate a higher pay rate (I made $2,000 for the summer but camps can pay as little as $600 for a two month contract). If you have no experience with kids or camps be prepared to really not make a huge amount of money your fist summer out, but if you work hard most likely they will hire you back for future contracts at higher rates. You usually will get paid at the end of your contract with part of your salary being a completion bonus (you will not get this if you do not complete your contract or are fired). At least with Lokanda you can also go to the accountant after your second week working and take out advancements to help with day trips on your day off.

So what about camp life once your actually on the property? Well, be prepared for long days, long nights, and hard work. For Lokanda we worked 6 days a week with one day off. The average counselor's day will start at about 7am and will end at around midnight. You will however get some nights off as there is an on call process where 3 or 4 counselors from each part of the camp are required to stay back "on call" while the others usually hop in a van to the local bar (the Barryville for Lokandaites). Curfew usually is still midnight whether you are on call or not.

Camp truly is what you make of it. I have great memories of camping trips on days off, trips to downtown New York, and amazing friends from about 24 different countries (and free places to stay in 24 countries when I decide to travel). Camp can also have its bad moments such as horrible food, bad camp owners, bad head counselors, sick kids, and the list goes on and on. Overall, if you just keep a level head and try to make the best of it you truly will come out ahead both financially and socially.

As I stated before the camp that I worked at was Camp Lokanda. The website with a link on how to apply is www.lokanda.com. My main concerns with this camp would lie with its owners. As long as you stay on their good side they really can be great people. They are, however, very savvy business people and will do whatever they can to make money, even if it screws you over in the end. So research what you should be paid, read your contract very thoroughly, and after that be prepared for what can be the best summer of your life.