1. 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."
2. What age groups do you have experience working with?
I have experience in working with many age groups. I would baby sit my younger cousins at family gatherings, for three years I was a peer mediator for kids in kindergarten through 8th grade.
3. How much experience do you have working with children?
I have had many experiences working with children. From the church to the library and at home.
4. Have you ever worked with a child with a disability?
No I have not but I feel like that would be a learning experience that hopefully I will get the chance to be a part of at this camp.
5. What are your interests and hobbies?
I'm an outdoor person into sports, fishing, team games and hiking.
6. What do you love most about being a camp counselor?
I love the connections I make with the kids and my fellow counselors to create long lasting memories and even some long lasting relationships.
7. If a kid is testing your patience, how would you react?
I would react calmly. I would ask the kid why he or she is not willing to agree with the situation.
8. Do you have a high level of patience?
Yes, after working and volunteering with kids before, I believe that I do.
9. Do you know any of the other camp counselors?
I am not associated with any of the other camp counselors
10. What is your biggest weakness as Camp Counselor?
My biggest weakness is probably that I am impatient. I always like to have something planned and I always like to be on the move. When I have down time or especially when I have to wait for something, I tend to feel impatient and anxious. But I know that this quality will help me always be a step ahead and always have something to do to keep myself and my campers busy.
11. Name three characteristics of a good camp counselor?
Maturity, common sense and good judgment are keys to be a successful camp counselor.
12. Tell me what makes you a good role model?
Camp counselors have a lasting impact on the campers that they lead. It is imperative that you, as a camp manager, hire good role models for your campers to look up to.
13. What personality trait makes you a good fit for this job?
Camp counselors must be energetic, creative, patient, and caring. Asking a candidate why they think their personality is a good fit for a job at a summer camp is insightful and will help you be sure that you are making a good choice.
14. What age groups do you have experience working with as Camp Counselor?
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."
15. What made you decide to apply for a job as a camp counselor?
I want to be involved in outdoor activities over summer and a camp counselor seemed to fit my desire perfectly.
16. Explain some of the important duties that are particular to a camp counselor's role?
The first thing a camp counselor does is create and implement a schedule for the group under his or her care. Subsequent duties include organizing and leading activities just as crafts, games, nature hunts, swimming and archery. It is important to participate in all camp activities robustly and ensure the safety of members on a constant basis.
17. You were just voted camp counselor of the summer. Why did you win?
This open-ended question will make each candidate think about what makes them a good camp counselor. As an interviewer, it will demonstrate what their most desirable counselor qualities are.
18. How do you think you will handle a job that literally requires you to live at it?
I think I will be able to handle it very well. Being immersed in the camp environment will be a great learning experience and give me the opportunity to learn and develop continuously on the job.
19. Can you handle a group that includes one or two children with a disability?
Yes, I have previously worked with a group consisting of a hearing disabled teenager and an ADHD five year old.
20. What have you heard about being a camp counselor?
A camp counselor needs to have patience and be responsible for a group of children. Teach leadership and teamwork to children.
21. What do you enjoy about working with kids?
If the candidate responds with, "Nothing," you can end the interview and thank them for their time. Camp counselors must enjoy working closely with children for an extended period of time. Asking about their favorite aspects of working with children can help you gauge whether or not they are a good fit for the role.
22. Are there any age groups you would prefer not working with?
No. I accept all kids as they are. I have a little sister that is 1 year old to a brother that is 15. I take care of all of them. So any age group would work perfect with me.
I deal with such parents calmly, listen carefully to their concerns and reply them politely; addressing the issues they brought up one by one. I refer them to the management if they are still not satisfied.
24. How would you handle a conflict with your co-counselor?
When many personalities are living in close quarters, conflicts will inevitably arise. Counselors should be able to handle minor conflicts in a mature manner, without the involvement of camp management.
25. What would be your number one goal at this camp, if you were a camp counselor?
Connect with the children and make sure they have a great experience that makes them want to come back to camp again.
I have come across many members who have physical limitations and / or disabilities. While it is not easy to handle one person who has limitations when others don't, it is something that one has to do. I was required to exercise a lot of patience and learn new skills in handling certain situations. I believe that this experience made me more equipped to handle challenging tasks of this nature.
Before initiating an activity I usually take everybody's consent and generate enough team spirit to have a consensus on the planned activity. If however a member still refuses or does not agree I'll check if there is a serious problem underlying the behavior. Once satisfied I don't press them to involve in that particular activity but if the refusal persists in following activities I probe further and counsel the person if needed.
28. Tell me what skills or interests do you have that would make you a great camp counselor?
The job of a camp counselor is diverse. One minute, they may be leading an arts and crafts project, and the next, they are setting up teams for a camp-wide kickball tournament. Useful knowledge and skills will make a job candidate successful at camp.
29. If you had to fill 30 minutes of your schedule with an impromptu activity, what would it be?
Counselors often have to invent games and activities on the spot. This question will let you know just how creative and energetic a candidate can be.
I will assure that I never become alone with any child unless specifically told to do so by the camp leaders. If a problem occurs with a child I will report it to the camp leaders.
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."
32. Behavioral Camp Counselor Interview Questions:
► Explain a time when you had a conflict with a friend, coworker, or employer. Who was involved? What was the conflict? What was the outcome?
► Tell me about a time that you helped resolve a particularly difficult issue with a child.
► Give an example of a time that you changed a child's emotions from frustration or sadness to happiness.
► Tell me about a time (at work or school) when you acted as a leader for a group of people. Name a type of activity you would do with children of this age group.
► Tell me about a time when you put the needs of another or others ahead of your own. Who was the person? What was the situation, and how did it go?
33. Situational Camp Counselor Interview Questions:
► What would you do if one of your campers refused to do an activity with the rest of the group?
► What would you do if it was raining and you had a group of twenty campers to entertain?
► How would you handle a child who was misbehaving and not following instructions?
► What would you do if a parent was angry with you for the way you handled a situation with their child?
► Imagine one of your campers is homesick and wants to go home. What would you do?
► Why would you be a good fit for our camp?
► What did you decide to interview for our camp rather than another one?
34. Personal Based Camp Counselor Interview Questions:
► What qualifications do you have that make you suitable for this position?
► Are you a team player?
► Do you prefer to work alone or with others?
► How do you handle stressful situations?
► What do you do when you don't know the answer to a question?
► What made you want to be a camp counselor?
► Did you attend camp as a child? What did you like about it? What did you dislike?
35. Fresh Camp Counselor Interview Questions:
► You just won counselor of the year by your peers/supervisors/teens/parents; why?
► What is your greatest personality asset working with kids?
► What is the difference between punishment and discipline?
► What is the difference between yelling and raising your voice?
► What are you much better at than you used to be?
► What hobbies, special interests or talents do you have that you think might be useful here?
► Who is your personal hero?
► Why did you decide to choose this organization for employment?
► How do you handle a stressful situation?
► There are 3 problems to deal with and a kid tugging on you. Your co-counselor is sitting on the side. What do you do to defuse the situations?
► Why are you a good role model?
► Describe what you think your job duties would be.
► Come up with a 10 minute game for ages 6-11.
► Describe yourself in 5 words or less.
► If I asked a previous co-worker what your greatest strength is, what would they say?
