35 Camp Counselor Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Camp Counselor interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. What would you do if a parent was angry with you for the way you handled a situation with their child?
How to Answer
I would suggest telling the interviewer that you would listen to the criticism, and apologize to the parent. This shows you are not stubborn, and capable of listening. Even go as far as asking the parent how they feel their child should have been treated, and say you will do your best if the situation comes up again. If you feel, you were absolutely correct in how the situation was handled, and the parent simply is unaware of the actual events that transpired, maybe it would be best to ask a fellow counselor assist you as you explain the situation to the parent.
Written by Ryan Brown
2. How much experience do you have working with children?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to make sure you have experience being around children in any setting. Working with kids is not meant for everyone, some people do not have the patience, nor the passion for kids. Tell the interviewer your experiences, and assure them that your passion is working and helping children.
Written by Ryan Brown
3. When did you realize you wanted to be counselor?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to make sure this wasn't an idea you thought of two weeks ago, and here you are ready to commit to a full summer. Tell them you have always been passionate about being a camp counselor, since you were once a camper. Or, if you never attended camp, tell them you had an excellent role model as a youth, and you've wanted to pass on the mentoring that you received to others.
Written by Ryan Brown
4. If a kid is testing your patience, how would you react?
How to Answer
It is always a good idea, not to react in the moment. Sometimes its better to take a step back and analyze the situation. If you feel the situation is becoming out of control, or you are unaware of how to have this child behave properly, ask a fellow counselor to assist you. If you feel you can resolve the situation peacefully, do so. Ask the child why he/she is misbehaving. If the child shows a pattern of misbehaving for attention, maybe its better not to have a reaction at all.
Written by Ryan Brown
5. Do you know any of the other camp counselors?
How to Answer
This question is designed to test your familiarity with the camp, and how connected you may be to this camp. If you have friends or acquaintances that work at this camp, simply tell the interviewer about them, and the positive things they said about the camp, which is why you look forward to working there. If you know no one at the camp, tell the interviewer you are excited to meet the counselors and start new friendships.
Written by Ryan Brown
6. What is the most difficult part of being a Camp Counselor for you?
How to Answer
This is a great chance to provide an honest answer which shows you're thinking in-depth of the camping experience. An example: Tell the interviewer your number one goal is to make sure every child is fully able to participate in each activity, and you know that is difficult to ensure, and why you find it to be a challenge. This is something you work on, and think about throughout your day as a counselor. This type of answer, shows a high level of passion that you have, and why you would make a great counselor.
Written by Ryan Brown
7. What age groups do you have experience working with?
How to Answer
If you have no experience, this question will most likely be skipped from the start. Otherwise, tell the interviewer specific age groups. Do not say 'All age groups'. If you have worked with all age groups, break it down for the interviewer. Say I've worked with kids aged 9-11 at Camp Wakatooie in the summer of 2013. Then I worked with youth ages 5-13 at the local YMCA summer youth program, where we did so and so activities. If you only have had one experience working with youth, reinsure the interviewer that you can work with their age group by saying you enjoy being around all ages of children, and look forward to working with their group.
Written by Ryan Brown
8. Did you attend camp as a child?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to get a better understanding of your background and why you chose to be a camp counselor. If you attended camp, tell the interviewer about the years you went to camp, and what you found enjoyable, and why you now want to be a counselor. If you never attended camp, be sure to tell the interviewer what you know about camp, and why you are excited to be a part of this years program.
Written by Ryan Brown
9. How would you handle a child who was misbehaving and not following instructions?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know you aren't soft, and able to handle intolerant kids. Make sure you are capable of telling a child what the rules are and any misbehaviors are not tolerated. After disciplining the child, you will see how to best modify the activity so the child can participate.
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10. Can you keep personal electronics aside for the duration of the camp?
How to Answer
This answer must absolutely be yes. If you can not devote your full attention to the children, then another job is probably better for you. Answer this question with confidence, tell the interviewer, Absolutely. Tell them your number one priority will be the camp, and focusing on the children that they are fully engaged in the camp activities.
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11. What experience do you have in leading others?
How to Answer
Being a camp counselor is all about leadership, give the interviewer all of your experiences as a leader in the past. Whether it be involvement in a small book study club, or being the captain of your football team, anything counts! If you feel you have never been a leader in any type of situation, you would be surprised. It could be a leader amongst one person, maybe you gave that person advice? You saw a situation where someone needed guidance or help, and you took charge, it doesn't matter if it was only with one other person or a group.
Written by Ryan Brown
12. What are the three greatest strengths you bring to this position?
How to Answer
If you are excited to be a camp counselor, this question should come easy! First, say you are thrilled to be interviewing for this position, and your passion and enthusiasm for this position will be one of your strengths. Second, tell them you are excited to be a role model for kids, and your leadership skills are another strength. Third, describe how you are responsible, and are passionate about community, as your third strength.
Written by Ryan Brown
13. What is your biggest weakness?
How to Answer
You can make a choice to give a weakness that is really a strength, or give an honest weakness.. Personally, we prefer an honest weakness. Everyone can see through a weakness that is really a strength, and it just comes off phony. Now, go easy on yourself, tell them during your studies, you have trouble focusing at times and enjoy taking breaks outside. That is just an easy example, you should be able to come up with one or two before your interview.
Written by Ryan Brown
14. How have you changed as a result of being a counselor?
How to Answer
Describe to the interviewer how being a counselor has made you more patient, how it has made you understand the impact you can have on a campers life, and how it's made you a more responsible adult. Tell the interviewer, all these positive changes that it's had on your life as the reason why you love this career, and why you are seeking this position. If you have no prior camp counselor experience, describe any leadership activities you have taken place in, and how you are thrilled at the opportunity to make an impact in a campers life.
Written by Ryan Brown
15. Camp is designed to be an educational event for kids. Give examples of what kids learn from camp.
How to Answer
This question is designed to test your understanding of camp, and what the ultimate purpose of camp is. Tell the interviewer, your goal for the kids and what you hope to be the goal from the camp's perspective, would be for them to learn teamwork, gain self-confidence through camping activities, and develop their own leadership skills.
Written by Ryan Brown
16. Describe yourself in 5 words or less.
How to Answer
These are always challenging questions to come up with on the spot, but an interview is all about knowing yourself beforehand. Most of us love to remain humble, but this is the time when you absolutely must focus on yourself! Get to know who you are and have confidence in yourself. With that said, If you are applying for a camping position, its obvious you enjoy socializing, having fun, being adventurous, being a role model, organized, enjoy structure, and so on. Those are just a few, but you could easily pick some of them, and create a few for yourself.
Written by Ryan Brown
17. What skills or interests do you have that would make you a great camp counselor?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to make sure you enjoy the outdoors and camping activities. Highlight all of your favorite outdoor activities, and try to research the camp beforehand. Understand what activities they have to offer, and be able to cite them as activities that interest you. Describe your talents and skills when it comes to leading, tell them you understand how important leadership is in a community setting. This is a great chance to bring up any past experiences you have in regards to this.
Written by Ryan Brown
18. What makes you a good role model?
How to Answer
An interviewer will ask this question because they are interested in getting to know you better. They want to know your best leadership skills.
When answering this question, start with your passion and enthusiasm for being a role model. Then go into detail about the skills you have that make you a great role model. As a camp counselor, it's important you are aware that kids are looking up to you. They are soaking in your actions and learning from you. In addition to the interviewer trying to know your own leadership skills more, this question is also designed to see if you understand the impact your actions have, whether that be knowingly or unknowingly, on the individuals around you.
Written by Ryan Brown
Answer Example
"I love being a role model, and that is one of the reasons I applied for this job. I think one of the best reasons why I believe I am a good role model, is because I understand the impact I will have on a child's life, even if I am only around that child for a short time. They are constantly soaking in my actions. I want to be the best example I can be for that child because I want what is best for them. And that is why I am excited to be applying and interviewing for your campground because I think your camping experience is really impactful on the kids that attend."
Written by Ryan Brown
19. Do you have a high level of patience?
How to Answer
Yes! Tell the interviewer, absolutely! If you have past experiences working with children, describe that and how that taught you to have patience with kids. If no prior experience with kids, describe to the interviewer past stressful work situations you have been placed in, and how you developed patience from those experiences.
Written by Ryan Brown
20. What experiences do you have with kids?
How to Answer
Highlight all the experiences you have working with or being around kids. Tell the interviewer all the aspects you enjoy about those experiences, and as a result why you are the best suited for this position.
Written by Ryan Brown
21. Why do you want to be a camp counselor?
How to Answer
It's very simple, being a camp counselor means being a role model for children, spending time outdoors, enjoying fun activities, building great friendships, and literally having fun on the job. Those are a few easy reasons why you should want to be a camp counselor. This question will definitely be asked in someway, so know before hand the reasons why you want this job or want to be a camp counselor.
Written by Ryan Brown
22. How do you handle stressful situations?
How to Answer
The interviewer is really looking for past experiences where you have been in that have been stressful. They want to get to know your background better. Highlight these examples, tell them how you remained calm, and held your composure. Tell the interviewer what you learned from those experiences. A good example, when you have been in stressful situations, you have found its best to remain calm so you can think through any challenges that you are facing. Try to think of these examples before the interviewer, because this is a very common interview question and may likely be asked.
Written by Ryan Brown
23. How do you think you will handle a job that literally requires you to live at it?
How to Answer
Easy, that is just one thing you can say you love about camp! You do not want a typical job, you want to be adventurous, build community and friendships, and no better way than living with those people. Highlight any past experiences where you may have travelled for work, or in college where you lived away from home for semesters at a time.
Written by Ryan Brown
24. What do you love most about being a camp counselor?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to test your passion, and make sure you are a great fit for this job. So describe your passion to the fullest. Tell the interviewer you love spending time with children and love being a role model. Building new friendships, enjoying the outdoors, watching children grow in their confidence. There are so many reasons to love being a camp counselor!
Written by Ryan Brown
25. What do you know about this camp?
How to Answer
With any job interview, it is crucial to understand the organization you are applying to. Understand their rules, what the purpose of the camp is, what daily activities they generally do. Know some fun facts about the camp, like who started it, and what year it was started. Visit their website, and study the camp.
Written by Ryan Brown
26. Are there any age groups you would prefer not working with?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer you love working with any age group, and will be excited for whatever group of kids they want you to be with.
Written by Ryan Brown
27. Have you ever worked with a child with a disability?
How to Answer
If you have great! If not, tell the interviewer you would be excited to work with a disabled child, as that would be a great learning experience for yourself. Describe why you would be passionate to help any disabled child, if given the opportunity to do so.
Written by Ryan Brown
28. What would be your number one goal at this camp, if you were a camp counselor?
How to Answer
With every job, safety is the number one goal. You want to make sure the children are safe. Secondly, you want to make sure the environment they are in is fruitful. Tell the interviewer you understand the responsibility of this position, and you care deeply for the children, and that is why you are very well suited for this position.
Written by Ryan Brown
29. What made you decide to apply for a job as a camp counselor?
How to Answer
What better way to spend a summer, than enjoying the outdoors and being a role model for children?! What a perfect job! Tell the interviewer exactly why you applied, and how much you look forward to this opportunity.
Written by Ryan Brown
30. What have you heard about being a camp counselor?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer the good and the bad things that involves this job. You have heard being a camp counselor is tiring at times, takes great motivational and leadership skills, is very fulfilling in terms of helping children and making sure children have fun, and are safe. Tell the interviewer that it is vital you have patience as a counselor, that you are loyal to everyone, especially the children, and that you are capable of showing humility and can be gracious.
Written by Ryan Brown
31. What do you think you will dislike the most about this job?
How to Answer
Hopefully you will dislike nothing about this career! Don't be afraid to tell the interviewer that. If you have any uncertainties, like 'well I am just unsure if I can stay away from home this long' the interviewer will probably ask you to exit the interview. So tell them, you won't dislike anything, and you love camping and being a counselor.
Written by Ryan Brown
32. Do you enjoy being active with the kids?
How to Answer
Time to be enthusiastic! Absolutely! Tell the interviewer why you love being active with the children. Why this is your passion, what fun activities you enjoy doing with the kids, and why this makes you a perfect candidate for this camp counselor position.
Written by Ryan Brown
33. How do you keep your kids under control?
How to Answer
The best answer to this is to show the interviewer you have a plan. Tell them, before the week begins, you want to make sure a schedule is in place, and activities are planned. Therefore, kids should not be bored, and able to fully participate in camp. On top of that, you may want to have a prize system that rewards good behavior for the kids.
Written by Ryan Brown
34. How would you break up a fight among kids?
How to Answer
Fights do happen, and you have to be prepared for this scenario. If there is a physical fight, be ready to step in, if its verbal, immediately warn the campers they can not treat each other in that way. Campers need to learn how to resolve their differences with one another, so you would make sure they apologize afterwards. If the behavior was excessive, you would remove the kids from the group, and tell the parents of the situation.
Written by Ryan Brown
35. Are you aware that it is within poor judgement to be alone with a kid? How do you prevent this type of situation?
How to Answer
This is an uncomfortable question, but can be asked by the interviewer to make sure you have good judgement. It is obvious, you should never be alone with a child. Tell the interviewer, if the situation occurs, you will always be sure to be in view or have a fellow counselor accommodate you.
Written by Ryan Brown