What are the Benefits of Being a Summer Camp Counselor at a Jewish Summer Camp?

By Edina Goore, Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Summer camp is often seen as a rite of passage for kids, a place to make lifelong memories while learning new skills, building friendships, and connecting with nature. However, behind the scenes, camp counselors are the unsung heroes who make the camp experience truly unforgettable. For those who work at Jewish summer camps, the benefits go beyond just the summer months; these counselors gain valuable personal and professional skills while also contributing to the growth and development of young campers in a meaningful way.

10 Benefits of Working at a Jewish Summer Camp

Whether you’re considering applying to be a counselor at a Jewish summer camp or simply curious about the experience, we would like to share 10 key benefits that that we’ve observed are developed with the role.

1. Building Lasting Relationships

One of the greatest rewards of being a camp counselor is the opportunity to form lasting relationships with both campers and fellow staff members. As a counselor, you’ll be an integral part of the camp community, creating bonds with kids while serving as both a mentor and a friend. Many former counselors look back on their camp experiences as some of the most formative times of their lives, with friendships that last well beyond the summer.

At Jewish summer camps, the shared cultural and religious experiences add an additional layer to these relationships, strengthening the sense of community. The bond created through shared Jewish traditions, songs, prayers, and experiences can form lifelong friendships among both counselors and campers.

2. Developing Leadership Skills

Being a counselor isn’t just about supervising children; it’s about taking responsibility, leading by example, and setting the tone for the camp’s atmosphere. As a counselor, you’ll be in charge of planning activities, guiding your campers through different challenges, and ensuring everyone’s safety. You’ll learn how to manage groups, handle conflict, make decisions quickly, and maintain a positive environment. These leadership skills are invaluable and highly transferable to many career paths.

3. Personal Growth and Confidence

Camp counselors often emerge from their experience to be more confident, self-assured, and emotionally resilient. Working with children and helping them grow often leads to personal growth as well. There are countless moments at camp when you’ll need to step out of your comfort zone, whether it’s leading a group of kids in a song, helping a camper overcome homesickness, or troubleshooting a situation on the fly.

The ability to adapt, problem-solve, and remain calm under pressure is invaluable. By the end of the summer, you will likely find yourself more confident in your abilities, which can positively impact your personal and professional life.

4. Helping Children to Foster a Strong Jewish Identity

At Jewish summer camps, counselors play a unique role in shaping the lives of their campers. Many children who attend Jewish camps view them as a place to connect with their Jewish identity, traditions, and values. As a counselor, you have the ability to influence how campers perceive their heritage and help them build a deeper connection to their faith and community.

5. Networking Opportunities

Jewish summer camps attract staff from all over the world, and as a counselor, you’ll have the chance to work alongside like-minded individuals from different backgrounds. This diverse network can be incredibly valuable both personally and professionally. In the future, you may find lifelong friends, or even job opportunities through the connections you make at camp.

6. Learning Teamwork and Collaboration

Camp counselors don’t work in isolation—they’re part of a larger team that includes other counselors, administrators, and camp directors. As such, being a counselor provides an excellent opportunity to learn the dynamics of teamwork and collaboration. Working in teams to plan events, solve problems, and care for campers teaches you how to communicate effectively, compromise, and support others.

7. Cultural Enrichment and Connection to Jewish Traditions

At a Jewish summer camp, counselors have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Jewish culture, holidays, and rituals. From celebrating Shabbat to learning Hebrew songs and prayers, working at a Jewish camp allows you to experience and share Jewish traditions in a vibrant and communal setting. For many counselors, this experience is a way to reconnect with their faith and heritage. It provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in Jewish culture, whether or not you come from a particularly religious background.

8. Developing Communication Skills

As a counselor, clear and effective communication is crucial, whether you’re explaining activities to your campers, working with other staff, or communicating with parents. The camp setting provides ample opportunities to refine these skills in a variety of contexts. You’ll learn to communicate with children in a way that is age-appropriate, as well as collaborate with adults and other counselors to make the camp experience as enriching as possible. These enhanced communication skills will serve you well in any career. 

9. Physical and Mental Wellness

The camp environment promotes physical activity, which is essential for both mental and physical health. Counselors are often engaged in active games, outdoor adventures, and sports.

Whether you’re playing sports with campers, hiking through the woods, or participating in group activities, you’re bound to get more exercise than you would in a typical desk job.

Moreover, working in a camp setting provides a healthy balance of work and recreation. Campers and staff alike enjoy downtime, allowing everyone to relax and recharge after a busy day of activities.

10. Fostering Jewish Values in the Next Generation

Finally, working as a counselor at a Jewish summer camp means you are directly involved in instilling Jewish values in the next generation. Jewish summer camps are dedicated to teaching important principles like Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), community, respect for others, and the importance of tradition. As a counselor, you’ll be a role model in helping campers understand these values and carry them into their own lives.

Join Our Summer Camp Staff Today

Being a summer camp counselor at a Jewish summer camp offers many benefits, from personal growth to professional development and the chance to make a positive impact on children’s lives. 

Whether you’re looking to build your leadership skills, deepen your connection to Jewish traditions, or form lasting relationships, the role of a counselor provides an enriching and transformative experience. For those passionate about community building, education, and working with children, apply to join our summer team today!