What would you do if a parent was angry with you for the way you handled a situation with their child?

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.

How much experience do you have working with children?

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.

When did you realize you wanted to be counselor?

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.

If a kid is testing your patience, how would you react?

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.

Do you know any of the other camp counselors?

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.

What is the most difficult part of being a Camp Counselor for you?

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.

What age groups do you have experience working with?

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.

Did you attend camp as a child?

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.

How would you handle a child who was misbehaving and not following instructions?

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.

Can you keep personal electronics aside for the duration of the camp?

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.

What experience do you have in leading others?

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.

What are the three greatest strengths you bring to this position?

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.

What is your biggest weakness?

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.

How have you changed as a result of being a counselor?

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.

Camp is designed to be an educational event for kids. Give examples of what kids learn from camp.

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.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less.

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.

What skills or interests do you have that would make you a great camp counselor?

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.

What makes you a good role model?

"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."

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.

Do you have a high level of patience?

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.

What experiences do you have with kids?

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.

Why do you want to be a camp counselor?

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.

How do you handle stressful situations?

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.

How do you think you will handle a job that literally requires you to live at it?

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.

What do you love most about being a camp counselor?

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!

What do you know about this camp?

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.

Are there any age groups you would prefer not working with?

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.

Have you ever worked with a child with a disability?

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.

What would be your number one goal at this camp, if you were a camp counselor?

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.

What made you decide to apply for a job as a camp counselor?

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.

What have you heard about being a camp counselor?

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.

What do you think you will dislike the most about this job?

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.

Do you enjoy being active with the kids?

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.

How do you keep your kids under control?

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.

How would you break up a fight among kids?

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.

Are you aware that it is within poor judgement to be alone with a kid? How do you prevent this type of situation?

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.

Camp Counselor Interview Questions

Go Back

1. What would you do if a parent was angry with you for the way you handled a situation with their child?
2. How much experience do you have working with children?
3. When did you realize you wanted to be counselor?
4. If a kid is testing your patience, how would you react?
5. Do you know any of the other camp counselors?
6. What is the most difficult part of being a Camp Counselor for you?
7. What age groups do you have experience working with?
8. Did you attend camp as a child?
9. How would you handle a child who was misbehaving and not following instructions?
10. Can you keep personal electronics aside for the duration of the camp?
11. What experience do you have in leading others?
12. What are the three greatest strengths you bring to this position?
13. What is your biggest weakness?
14. How have you changed as a result of being a counselor?
15. Camp is designed to be an educational event for kids. Give examples of what kids learn from camp.
16. Describe yourself in 5 words or less.
17. What skills or interests do you have that would make you a great camp counselor?
18. What makes you a good role model?
19. Do you have a high level of patience?
20. What experiences do you have with kids?
21. Why do you want to be a camp counselor?
22. How do you handle stressful situations?
23. How do you think you will handle a job that literally requires you to live at it?
24. What do you love most about being a camp counselor?
25. What do you know about this camp?
26. Are there any age groups you would prefer not working with?
27. Have you ever worked with a child with a disability?
28. What would be your number one goal at this camp, if you were a camp counselor?
29. What made you decide to apply for a job as a camp counselor?
30. What have you heard about being a camp counselor?
31. What do you think you will dislike the most about this job?
32. Do you enjoy being active with the kids?
33. How do you keep your kids under control?
34. How would you break up a fight among kids?
35. Are you aware that it is within poor judgement to be alone with a kid? How do you prevent this type of situation?

Camp Counselor Interview Questions

1. What would you do if a parent was angry with you for the way you handled a situation with their child?

2. How much experience do you have working with children?

3. When did you realize you wanted to be counselor?

4. If a kid is testing your patience, how would you react?

5. Do you know any of the other camp counselors?

6. What is the most difficult part of being a Camp Counselor for you?

7. What age groups do you have experience working with?

8. Did you attend camp as a child?

9. How would you handle a child who was misbehaving and not following instructions?

10. Can you keep personal electronics aside for the duration of the camp?

11. What experience do you have in leading others?

12. What are the three greatest strengths you bring to this position?

13. What is your biggest weakness?

14. How have you changed as a result of being a counselor?

15. Camp is designed to be an educational event for kids. Give examples of what kids learn from camp.

16. Describe yourself in 5 words or less.

17. What skills or interests do you have that would make you a great camp counselor?

18. What makes you a good role model?

19. Do you have a high level of patience?

20. What experiences do you have with kids?

21. Why do you want to be a camp counselor?

22. How do you handle stressful situations?

23. How do you think you will handle a job that literally requires you to live at it?

24. What do you love most about being a camp counselor?

25. What do you know about this camp?

26. Are there any age groups you would prefer not working with?

27. Have you ever worked with a child with a disability?

28. What would be your number one goal at this camp, if you were a camp counselor?

29. What made you decide to apply for a job as a camp counselor?

30. What have you heard about being a camp counselor?

31. What do you think you will dislike the most about this job?

32. Do you enjoy being active with the kids?

33. How do you keep your kids under control?

34. How would you break up a fight among kids?

35. Are you aware that it is within poor judgement to be alone with a kid? How do you prevent this type of situation?