Summer is coming soon, and teenagers everywhere are seeking suitable summer employment.
Teens who have enjoyed attending summer camps as younger children will often seek out paid positions as summer camp counselors, as soon as they are old enough to do so. What could be more fun than returning to the site of so many wonderful summer experiences and memories?
How can parents encourage teens towards success as summer camp counselors?
Whether your teen attended a day camp or an overnight summer camp, you can take several practical steps to help your adolescent son or daughter to prepare for a summer camp counselor position.
Counselor-in-Training
First, as a parent, you can investigate whether the summer camp offers a counselor-in-training, or CIT program, which is basically an internship program for summer camp counselors. These coveted spots are usually reserved for returning campers, or alumni, who have outgrown the regular summer camp program. Young teens may be placed in a separate group from the general camp population.
Usually counselors-in-training enjoy the best of both worlds at a summer camp. While they may participate in certain summer camp sports and activities, they are also called upon to assist the younger campers. Counselors-in-training may be paired with older counselors, who will mentor them in leadership and practical skills.
In most summer camps, after one summer in a counselor-in-training program, a teen may be eligible to apply for a bona fide counselor position. If counselor-in-training positions are available, parents do well to encourage teens to apply, as these summer camp experiences will greatly increase young adults’ chances of landing much-desired summer camp counselor jobs.
In fact, completing a counselor-in-training program may equip a teen to apply for a counselor position at a different summer camp as well.
Training and Experience for Camp Counselors
Throughout the calendar year, parents can do a lot to help teens prepare for the transition from summer camper to camp counselor.
For example, moms and dads can urge their teens to obtain as much experience as possible in babysitting and other responsible positions. Teens may teach Sunday school, or they can assist with after-school programs for elementary-aged children. All of these firsthand experiences will help teens to qualify for summer camp counselor jobs.
Professional certification programs, such as babysitting training, first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), may be offered in local communities. These credentials prove valuable to summer camp staffers, and this may enhance a teen’s chances of obtaining a summer camp counselor position. Parents may need to help with the costs of such training, as well as scheduling and transportation for a teen’s participation.
Increasing Teen Independence
Basically, the transition from summer camper to camp counselor is a step in the maturation process for a teenager. Anything parents do to encourage a teen’s development of personal maturity and responsibility can help. Appropriate levels of independence, increasing experience in exercising and respecting authority and opportunities to practice healthy human interaction skills are all essential in preparing teens for summer camp counselor positions.
Teens who learn to work and play cooperatively with others will gain an advantage, when they apply for summer camp counselor jobs.
Lifelong Benefits of Camp Counselor Experiences
Summer camping offers many wonderful life experiences for both campers and counselors. By fostering such influences, parents may offer teens the opportunity to grow and build super memories at the same time. Teens who serve as summer camp counselors may learn helpful skills and survival techniques, as well as how to care for other people. At the same time, they may build important friendships with children and adults.
In other words, parents who support their teens in their quest for summer camp counselor experiences will help their young people to develop into practical and responsible adults. What better counsel could parents of teens offer?
