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Recreational Summer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sport Center Summer Camp Staff

Odessa, TX ยท On-site

$12 - $15.50/hr

Position Details Position Information Working Title Sport Center Summer Camp Staff Position Status Department Community Recreation/Sports Center General Summary Sports Center Summer Camp Staff assist ...

Summer Camp Counselor

Alpharetta, GA ยท On-site

$13.50 - $17.50/hr

Join Our Team as a Summer Camp Counselor ! Racket Social Club at Windward Lake in Alpharetta, GA is ... Assisting recreational activities for children * Lead small or large groups on crafts, games and ...

Summer Camp Youth Development Professional

Henderson, NC ยท On-site

$13 - $17/hr

Summer Camp Youth Development Professional The Salvation Army, an internationally recognized ... Physical Requirements/Working Conditions Work is performed in an indoor and outdoor recreational ...

Showing results 41-60

Recreational Summer information

See salary details

$14

$35

$64

How much do recreational summer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for recreational summer in the United States is $35.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.84 and $46.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Recreational Summer vs Camp Counselor?

AspectRecreational SummerCamp Counselor
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; certifications varyHigh school diploma; CPR/First Aid often required
Work EnvironmentCommunity centers, parks, recreational facilitiesSummer camps, outdoor settings, residential or day camps
Employer & IndustryMunicipalities, private recreation companiesSummer camps, youth organizations
Common Search & ComparisonRecreational Summer vs Camp Counselor

Recreational Summer roles typically involve organizing and leading community recreational activities, often in public facilities. Camp Counselors focus on supervising children and facilitating camp activities in outdoor or residential settings. While both roles promote youth engagement and require similar certifications, their work environments and specific responsibilities differ, making each role unique within the summer activity industry.

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

To thrive as a Recreational Summer Camp Counselor, you need experience in youth leadership, a basic understanding of child safety, and often a high school diploma or relevant certification in CPR/first aid. Familiarity with scheduling tools, activity planning software, and emergency response procedures is typically required. Strong communication, patience, creativity, and teamwork skills help counselors build rapport with campers and manage group dynamics. These competencies are crucial for ensuring a safe, enjoyable, and enriching camp experience for all participants.

What are some common challenges recreational summer program staff face, and how can they prepare for them?

Recreational summer program staff often encounter challenges such as managing large groups of energetic children, adapting activities to varying age groups and abilities, and responding to unexpected weather or safety concerns. Preparation includes developing strong communication and organizational skills, familiarizing oneself with emergency protocols, and planning flexible activities that can be adjusted as needed. Collaborating closely with team members and maintaining a positive, patient attitude are key to creating a fun and safe environment for all participants.

What is a recreational summer job?

Recreational summer jobs are temporary positions typically available during the summer months that involve organizing, supervising, or leading activities for children, teens, or adults. These jobs can include roles such as camp counselor, lifeguard, activity coordinator, or sports instructor at camps, community centers, or recreational facilities. They often focus on providing a safe, fun, and engaging environment for participants to enjoy various recreational activities during their summer break.
What cities are hiring for Recreational Summer jobs? Cities with the most Recreational Summer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Recreational jobs? The most popular types of Recreational jobs are:
What states have the most Recreational Summer jobs? States with the most job openings for Recreational Summer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Recreational Summer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 32% Full Time, 58% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 7% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,740 per year, or $35.5 per hour.

Summer Day Camp Counselor

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

Naperville, IL โ€ข On-site

$17.90/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Safe 'N Sound YMCA is hiring Summer Day Camp Counselors for Summer 2026!
At the Y, we create an exciting, safe camp environment for kids and staff to have an unforgettable summer. While campers are taking part in in unique experiences and adventures, our Summer Day Camp Counselors are developing leadership skills and confidence while making lasting friendships and memories.
Pay starts at $17.90 per hour, Monday-Friday schedule
The Summer Day Camp Counselor serves as a professional role model for our campers by leading through example and guiding campers through recreational activities that teach life skills, encourage healthy and safe behaviors and create a positive camper experience. The Summer Camp Counselor ensures that each youth has adequate supervision including ensuring that no youth is unsupervised at any time.
Our staff is the Y's greatest asset. Our teams provide valuable skills, knowledge, and passion that is essential to the contribution and positive impact in our communities, which is why we offer Y employees numerous perks and benefits, including:
  • Competitive salaries reflecting your skills and experience.
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees, plus wellness programs, mental health resources, and a family gym membership.
  • Generous PTO and paid holidays, with flexible work hours for work-life balance.
  • 403(b) plan with company contributions for eligible employees after 2 years of service.
  • Continuous learning opportunities through workshops and training programs.
  • Supportive work environment valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Discounts on programs, employee assistance programs, and company-sponsored events.

As a Summer Day Camp Counselor, you are responsible to:
  • Promote the YMCA, provide excellent customer service and create an outstanding camper experience for children, parents and families.
  • Lead recreational activities with campers, including but not limited to arts and crafts, sports, social recreation, nature hikes, archery, and other games and hobbies
  • Instruct campers using various teaching methods and modifies activities as needed to ensure that campers of all ages and experience levels are engaged
  • Teach socially acceptable behaviors to campers by serving as a role model and by using age-appropriate positive reinforcement and behavior management strategies
  • Communicate consistently with supervisors, team leaders, unit leaders and other team members to ensure everyone is kept abreast of camp activities and schedule
  • Supports camp activities as assigned by supervisor, including any specialty camp activities
  • Ensures the physical and emotional health and safety of campers by being safety conscious, following all established YMCA standards and critically evaluating situations for potential risks
  • Ensures compliance with established rules and regulations to ensure safety
  • Monitors campers and counselors and provides corrective coaching and intervention as necessary
  • Set-up facilities and/or equipment for activities and stores equipment appropriately after use and work to keep camp facilities clean at all times

What do you need to be a Summer Day Camp Counselor?
  • A commitment to and a passion for working with diverse youth
  • Enjoy being outdoors, are creative and not afraid to work and play hard
  • Your experience in camping, childcare, education, recreation, sports or related is a plus but not required
  • You will be 18 years of age or older by the start of camp
  • Excellent verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly and concisely present ideas and concepts and tailor communication to multiple audiences
  • Passion for working with diverse youth and ability to provide a high-quality of instruction using age-appropriate practices
  • Proven ability to establish constructive relationships and interact as a positive role model
  • Continuous learner who leverages opportunities for learning and applies new knowledge and skills
  • Meets physical qualifications required as outlined in job description
  • The YMCA will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities

Child Abuse Prevention - Supports the YMCA's commitment to child abuse prevention by:
  • Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor
  • Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
  • Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor
  • Completing all child abuse prevention training as required

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.