5 Super Common Camp Counselor Interview Questions

When interviewing for a camp counselor position, you want to do everything you can to show the interviewer your passion for working with kids. While you should always be prepared for common job interview questions, there are counselor-specific questions that you’ll want to make sure you have practiced before hand.

What hobbies or interests do you have that you think would be helpful in this position?

The interviewer wants to know if there are things you do in your personal life that could be applied to the position.

"I'm a lifeguard on the weekends and that got me comfortable being responsible for others. Also, I am part of a mentoring organization and meet with my mentee every week, which has helped me learn how to build strong one-on-one relationships. I believe getting to know each camper is beneficial because they will have more respect for you as well as feeling comfortable coming to you with an issue. Additionally, I have been a mentor for about three years now so I know how to stay committed to a job."

What age groups do you have experience working with?

The interviewer is figuring out your level of experience and how relevant it is to their open position.

"I have experience working with a variety of age groups. I started off babysitting children from ages seven to nine. Then, I worked at an after school center where I worked with kids ages 12 to 16 years old. The majority of my experience comes from working with the older age group."

What do you like about working with kids?

The role of a camp counselor revolves around working with children. This is your chance to really let your passion shine through.

"There are so many different aspects that I love about working with kids. First, the level of unpredictability is exciting. You never know what to expect each day and it keeps you on your toes. Also, they have a fresh perspective on life that we tend to lose as we grow older. Lastly, seeing the process of young people starting to become aware of their full potential is extremely rewarding."

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

Sometimes you will run into issues with a parent or child. Show that you can deal with a problem effectively.

"It all comes down to communication. First, I would apologize. Next, I would explain to the parent why I chose to handle the situation the way I did. I would then ask them what I should've done differently and how they would like me to handle a similar situation in the future so that we can avoid any further conflict."

You notice a couple of cliques have developed among the campers and that one or two campers have been completely excluded. How would you go about solving the problem?

As a camp counselor, you need to be aware of problems among the campers. The interviewer is seeing how you would resolve an issue internally.

"This type of problem is not uncommon in these types of situations. Everyone wants to fit in and I am a strong believer in an all-inclusive environment. To solve the dilemma, I would initiate a few team-building activities. However, I would configure the teams with people who wouldn't typically interact so that they get to know each other better and everyone has to step out of their comfort zone. Also, I have this method called the "triple play", where I would take the two campers who seem to be excluded to do a fun activity with me. They feel special for being able to do something nobody else could and it allows them both the opportunity to open up, perhaps even forming a friendship with one another."