Camp as a Resume Builder: Skills That Transfer Everywhere
Not everyone who works at camp will make it a lifelong career — and that's okay. Whether camp is a two-summer adventure or a decade-long passion, the experience translates powerfully to almost any profession. Here's how to make your camp background shine on a resume.
Work Ethic
Camp people work long, intense hours in distraction-heavy environments — and they get things done. If you organized events, managed activities, or were “on call” overnight, put that on your resume. Employers notice when someone can thrive in a demanding, high-energy setting.
Leadership & Responsibility
Think about this: someone trusted you with the safety and wellbeing of a group of children. That's a level of responsibility most college internships don't come close to. Include how many campers you supervised, how many you were responsible for in a cabin, and any leadership roles you held.
Crisis Response
Kids get hurt. Kids get homesick. Emergencies happen at 2 AM. If you've handled medical situations, emotional crises, or unexpected problems at camp, you've demonstrated the kind of calm-under-pressure decision-making that employers in every industry value.
Communication
Camp requires constant communication — with co-counselors, directors, parents, and campers of all ages. You've collaborated in teams, navigated difficult conversations face-to-face, and presented to large groups (skit night counts!). These are exactly the soft skills that executives say they wish they'd developed earlier in their careers.
Training & Certifications
Lifeguard certification. First Aid and CPR. Wilderness First Responder. Ropes course facilitation. Challenge course management. Whatever training you received at camp, list it. These are tangible, verifiable skills that set you apart.
Where Can Camp Take You?
Anywhere. Camp alumni go on to careers in education, social services, healthcare, tech, marketing, nonprofit management, and entrepreneurship. The outdoor recreation economy is now officially tracked by the Department of Commerce, and federal legislation recognizes the critical role out-of-school programs play in child development. Camp isn't a detour from your career — it's a launchpad.
Want to explore camp as a longer-term path? Read our post on whether camp can be a real career.