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Day Camp Counselor Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Club SciKidz

STEM Summer Camp Counselor

Arlington, VA · On-site

$560/hr

Our day camps run Monday-Friday, and staff are scheduled by the week. Staff hours are approximately 8am-4pm. Pay for Counselors is $560 per week. Camp Locations: St. Thomas More Cathedral School: 105 ...

The Community Church

Extended Care - Part Time

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

Job Title: Extended Care Counselor Located in Loudoun County, Community Church exists to love ... Have at least one year of experience of working in a camp, childcare, or youth ministry * Have ...

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All JobsDay Camp Counselor JobsDay Camp Counselor Jobs in Reston, VA

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How much do day camp counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for day camp counselor in Reston, VA is $15.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.98 and $17.26 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a day camp counselor?

Day camp counselors are individuals responsible for supervising, guiding, and engaging children or youth in a variety of activities at day camps. They ensure campers' safety, lead games, crafts, and educational projects, and help foster a fun, inclusive environment. Day camp counselors also act as role models and mediators, handling conflicts and supporting campers' social and emotional development. Their role is seasonal and typically runs during school breaks or summer months.

What does a day camp counselor do?

A day camp counselor plans and oversees activities and learning experiences for children. You perform your duties in a day camp, so the campers return home daily and do not remain onsite overnight. Your responsibilities may vary depending on the theme of the day camp. As a counselor, you oversee a group or team of children. You guide them through the daily camp activities, assess the needs and participation level of each camper, and provide additional assistance if necessary. You ensure that the campers in your team remain safe while at the facility. This is often a seasonal summer job.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a day camp counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Day Camp Counselor, you need experience working with children, basic first aid knowledge, and often a high school diploma or higher. Familiarity with camp management software, activity planning tools, and CPR certification are commonly required. Strong leadership, patience, creativity, and excellent communication skills help counselors create a positive and engaging environment for campers. These skills ensure campers' safety, foster personal growth, and contribute to a memorable camp experience.

What are some common challenges faced by day camp counselors, and how can they be effectively managed?

Day Camp Counselors often face the challenge of managing groups of children with varying personalities and energy levels, especially during outdoor activities or transitions between activities. Effective communication, patience, and proactive planning help counselors maintain a positive environment and ensure all campers are engaged and safe. Building strong rapport with campers early on and working closely with co-counselors can also make it easier to address behavioral issues or conflicts as they arise. Regular team meetings and feedback sessions further support counselors in sharing strategies and staying organized throughout the camp season.

What is the difference between Day Camp Counselor vs Summer Camp Counselor?

AspectDay Camp CounselorSummer Camp Counselor
CertificationsCPR, First Aid, Child Care CertificationsCPR, First Aid, Child Care Certifications
Work EnvironmentDaytime, local camp settings, close to homeExtended hours, outdoor settings, often overnight options
Employer & IndustryCommunity centers, schools, local organizationsSummer camps, recreational organizations, youth programs

Both roles involve supervising children, organizing activities, and ensuring safety. The main difference is that Day Camp Counselors work during the day at local camps, while Summer Camp Counselors often work longer hours, including overnight stays, at seasonal summer camps. Your choice depends on your preferred work environment and schedule.

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Day Camp Counselor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Day Camp Counselor job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 20% Full Time, 50% Part Time, 20% Temporary, and 10% Summer. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $31,996 per year, or $15.4 per hour.

Sprouting Scientists (STEM) Counselor - FH:

Headfirst Summer Camps

Oakton, VA • On-site

$15/hr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

The Position

At Headfirst, we design fun, intentional, and transformational camp experiences where every camper feels seen, known, and celebrated. Growth doesn't happen by accident—it happens by design. Through thoughtfully planned activities and trained staff, we create what we call Headfirst Moments: when a camper tries something new, pushes through fear, and realizes, "I can do it."

Headfirst Summer Camp Sprouting Scientists (STEM) Counselors will lead campers in pre-written curriculum as they collaborate on theme-based projects to solve a culminating problem centered in STEM & the creative arts. We provide the training, curriculum & daily camp schedules along with all equipment for a successful camp day but need you to bring camp to life with your enthusiasm, dedication and un-matched energy.

Camper ages: 6-8 years old

Activities include: team-building, group games, field trips and guest expert workshops, science challenges, art projects

Weekly themes include: Oceanography, cooking, urban design, sports science

Role Information

Schedule:

In-season (late June through mid August): 7:45 am – 3:30 pm Monday – Friday

Pre-season (early June): select weekends for training and site preparation

Compensation: $15.00 / hour

What You'll Do

Bring Camp to Life

  • Lead a group of 20 campers with a co-counselor through a planned schedule
  • Teach pre-written curriculum for the Innovators, Inc. and Sprouting Scientist programs, and engage campers during break times
  • Implement Headfirst's safety protocols on supervision, bathrooms, emergency medications, and camper behavior management
  • Lead morning meetings, group games, free play, water play or free swim, curriculum-specific science and art activities, bathroom & sunscreen breaks, transitions, lunch & snack
  • Support specialized staff during field trips & expert workshops and afternoon program meetings
  • Execute morning and afternoon carpool as a key player, welcoming each family to camp by name with fantastic dance moves and coordinated carpool procedures

Nurture Physical, Social & Emotional Safety

  • Work directly with campers to support them in their emotional, physical, and social development through hands-on exploration and developmentally appropriate activities

Represent Headfirst for Families & Facility Partners

  • Represent the Headfirst brand daily to families at carpool and to school facility partners throughout the summer by being enthusiastic, hands-on, helpful, and in uniform
  • Actively participate in our efforts to take care of our camp facility and community

Be an Active Member of the Camp Team

  • Arrive on time, communicate schedule changes promptly, be a loyal and consistent team member who shows up for the campers and your team
  • Be flexible with your assignment and open to supporting other programs on site

Handle the Curveballs

  • Practice resiliency and arrive with a "How Can I Help?" mentality that puts camper experience and team success at the forefront through problem solving and trying new things

About You

Must be at least 18 years old.

If you are between 16-18 years old, please apply for our Junior Counselor role

Must be able to:

  • Work around small children including, sitting, standing, running, and climbing stairs for the full day.
  • Work in hot and outdoor environments while actively supervising campers and participating in dynamic activities for extended periods of time.
  • Lift and carry up to 30 pounds occasionally.
  • Committed to adhering to the Cell-Phone Free policy, powering down and putting away cell phones in a locked pouch for the duration of your shift.

Headfirst Summer Camps is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and inclusivity across our Headfirst community, and we strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented groups and those who might need reasonable accommodation to apply.

#INDHFC

About Headfirst

Headfirst delivers thoughtfully designed, high-quality summer and youth experiences built to elevate potential and exceed expectations. For over 25 years, we've partnered with families, schools, and organizations to create environments where kids feel supported, challenged, and confident trying new things.

What makes Headfirst different is intentionality. We don't wait and hope growth happens - we design for it. Our programs are carefully structured, and our staff are trained to spot, create, and celebrate breakthrough moments. These Headfirst Moments - when a camper pushes past fear, tries something new, or surprises themselves - are built into every day.

We believe great experiences are built on relationships. Our teams prioritize genuine connection, creating welcoming environments where campers feel seen and known, staff feel supported, and families trust that every detail has been thoughtfully considered. Behind the scenes, a professional, year-round Headquarters team supports our seasonal staff with training, systems, and clear expectations so camps run smoothly and consistently.

When you join Headfirst, you're joining a team that takes pride in doing things well. We care deeply about the experience we deliver, the people we work with, and the impact we have on kids and families. The work is meaningful, the standards are high, and the summers are unforgettable.

Apply