Camp skills: activities you can teach at summer camp

From basketball to basket weaving, you can get involved with over 200 sports and activities at camp. Here’s a deep dive into what those activities are and our best advice for getting hired in that area.

Camp Directors aren’t just looking for someone who can roast a marshmallow, although that is useful. They want teachers, leaders, creatives and entertainers – someone who can inspire others to care about the things you're passionate about. Whether that's a dedicated sport or activity if you're applying to be an Activity Counsellor, or if you're applying to be a General Counsellor – showing that you're the kind of all-rounder who leads by example and gets stuck into every experience.

Do I need formal experience or qualifications to teach activities at camp?

In general, you don't need formal qualifications to coach a particular sport or lead a particular activity at camp – just a love for that activity and the skills or proficiency to teach it at a basic level. That said, any qualifications or former experience (for example, teaching soccer at a sports club at home) will definitely help you to stand out and get hired.

So, what skills or activities can I get involved with or get hired for at camp?

Arts and crafts

Every camp needs its glue-gun and glitter heroes. From the classics like painting, pottery (wheel and kiln) and woodwork, to the specialist skills such as candle-making, leatherwork and screen printing, you’ll need patience, energy and a knack for celebrating every masterpiece – however it ends up looking!

For more specialist arts like ceramics, leatherwork and candle-making, you will need confidence with tools and basic safety awareness.

Arts and crafts activities and roles at camp might include arts and crafts director, arts and crafts general counsellor, basket weaving, batiking, candle-making, cartooning, ceramics , fashion design, fine art, glass blowing, graphic arts or design, jewellery making, knitting, leatherwork, metal smith, model making, nature craft, painting, pottery , rocketry, screen printing, sculpture, sewing , silversmithing, stained glass, stationary making, textiles, tie-dye, wheel and kiln, woodwork.

Essential skills: creativity, patience, tool-handling, and the ability to break projects into kid-sized steps. Safety is huge. Think hot wax, sharp things, flying glitter.

Circus

Camps often run full circus programs with everything from clowning and juggling to aerial arts like silks and trapeze. Behind the face paint, there’s a serious element: circus rigging. Knowing how to safely set up and check equipment is just as important as knowing how to balance on a rope without face-planting.

To teach circus, you’ll obviously need some basic circus skills – balance, coordination and a good sense of timing. If you can build campers’ confidence, keep them safe and celebrate the smallest wobble on a unicycle as a big win, Camp Directors will see you as worth your weight in juggling clubs.

Circus activities at camp might include circus rigging, clowning, diabolo, fire sticks, juggling, silk, stilts, tight rope, trapeze, unicycle, wire-walking.

Essential skills: performance confidence, patience, rigging and safety, plus the charm to turn every dropped juggling ball into comedy gold.

Degrees and certifications

Rather than turning summer camp into a classroom, Camp Directors are looking for campers who can turn their classroom know-how into summer magic.

You could be making sciency things fizz by the lake, producing a camp podcast or coaching fitness sessions as part of a PT class. Activities should be safe, accessible and fun – you want to be that teacher campers talk about in years to come.

Educational degrees at camp might include childcare degree, disability certification/degree, journalism degree, performing arts degree, personal trainer qualified, physical education degree, religious studies degree, science degree, sports science degree, teaching degree.

Essential skills: communication, adaptability and the ability to turn theory into games, experiments, or adventures.

Digital media

There’s only so many times you can show your grandma how to send a text message. Time to put your digital skills to proper use. You could be 3D printing a camp trophy, building robots or teaching the youth all the shortcuts you’ve learned on Adobe Photoshop. Grandma doesn’t get it.

You’ll need to be able to explain complex processes without sounding like a user manual. You'll make digital feel hands-on and exciting. And you’ll also be able to troubleshoot any problems beyond ‘have you tried switching it off and on?’

Digital media activities at camp might include 3D animation, 3D printing, Apple/PC expertise, audio visual, blogging/social media, computer coding, digital editing, digital imaging, digital photography, electronics, film making, film photography, game art and animation, game design, game programming, radio, robotics, video production, web designer.

Essential skills: tech know-how, patience, clear explanations, and the magic that makes digital art feel hands-on.

Extreme sports

Beyond the canoes and craft huts, there are fast and furious activities at camp that get parents sweaty. Think BMX and whitewater rafting.

To teach these, you’ll need more than just guts. You will need safety awareness and a good knowledge of your chosen sport. To be a mechanic you obviously need to know your way around a quad bike engine. There will also be a fair amount of ‘you can do this’ and ‘just don’t look down’ – being able to build confidence is a must. Campers need to fully trust you will keep them safe, even when half the paddles are being swept away into the Atlantic Ocean.

Extreme sports at camp might include ATV , BMX bikes, dune buggy, go karts, mechanic, motorbike, minibikes, mountain biking, mountain boarding, quad bikes, skateboarding, whitewater kayaking, whitewater rafting.

Essential skills: technical know-how, calm under pressure, mechanic skills, safety focus, and the ability to make flying down a ravine in an inflatable seem like the most natural thing in the world.

Fitness

Remember Mr Motivator? Well, he’s in his 70s now and those jazzy leotards are going to need filling. You could be teaching aerobics, pilates, spinning, yoga, Zumba. You just need to be high energy and enthusiastic, regardless of how many hot chocolates you shouldn’t have had just before class.

Camps need you to be able to adapt exercises to different ages and abilities, and turn ‘ugh, exercise’ into ‘this is actually fun.’ You’ll also need to know when to push kids a little further, and when to slow things down – it’s amazing how many kids turn into Will Smith as soon as they’re in boxing gloves.

Fitness activities and roles at camp might include aerobics instructor, boxing, fitness instructor, martial arts, nutrition, pilates instructor, spinning, weightlifting, yoga instructor, Zumba instructor.

Essential skills: Motivation, safe technique, adaptability and the ability to make the hardest workouts feel like a sweaty rave.

Gymnastics

You don’t need to be Simone Biles, but some roly-polys or cartwheels in your repertoire wouldn’t hurt either. Whether you’re helping campers stick their first handstand or nail a full tumble sequence, you will be able to break down tricky moves into manageable steps. And even if that headstand lasts half a second, you’ll celebrate that half second like it’s Olympic gold. You’ll also be able to adapt exercises for different skill levels and spot properly to prevent injuries.

Gymnastics activities at camp might include apparatus, cheerleading, floor and tumbling, rhythmic, trampolining.

Essential skills: patience, spotting, clear demos, and the talent to celebrate every wobbly cartwheel.

Horseriding and farm animals

If you see yourself as a Doctor Dolittle, then there’s actually a lot at camp you can do, if you’ve got the skills and experience.

You’ll need to show campers how to handle animals properly, maintain tack and stables, and teach riding techniques without causing the horses to bolt. Knowledge of basic vet care, first aid, and animal behaviour is a huge plus.

Horseriding and animal activities at camp might include animal care, dressage, equestrian English riding, equestrian western riding, equine veterinarian, farm animal care, horse riding, jumping, show jumping, stable management, trail riding, veterinarian.

Essential skills: experience with horses or animals, relevant qualifications for veterinary work, safety awareness and obviously a soft spot for all things fluffy.

Music

A captive audience, perfect! No, music at camp isn’t about forcing minors to listen to your Taylor Swift renditions. You'll be encouraging kids to try different instruments, compose and produce songs, and play music together. Even when Billy Bagpipes starts haunting your dreams, you must stay positive and enthusiastic. Teaching music is all about helping kids express themselves and learn new skills.

Music at camp might include bag pipes, bass guitar, Digeridoo, drums, guitar, harp, music composing, music teacher, music technician or producer, orchestral instruments, piano, rock band, singing, trumpet.

Essential skills: experience with chosen activity, performance confidence, patience with beginners, and the knack to make practice feel like a jam session.

Outdoor adventure

Summer camp is all about the great outdoors. Whether you’re leading a camping trip or doing a low-rope course, campers need someone who is semi-wild. We’re not saying you need to start a fire with your last biscuit, but some basic map reading skills and the ability to keep campers calm (when you inevitably get lost) wouldn’t hurt.

First aid training, rope and harness know-how, and the patience to teach techniques over and over again are huge assets. Most importantly, you’ll need the confidence to turn the outdoors into an adventure, not an ordeal – making every hike, climb, and campfire feel like the highlight of summer.

Outdoor adventure skills and roles at camp might include astronomy, camping / backpacking, caving, climbing, geocaching, high/low ropes, hiking, ninja warrior, orienteering, outdoor adventure general counsellor, outdoor adventure director, outdoor cooking, outdoor education instructor, scout or guide, rock climbing, trek or wilderness trip leader, zip line

Essential skills: leadership, safety awareness and first aid, good communication, stamina and the ability to blag your way through the constellations without using an app.

Performing arts

If you’ve ever dreamed of the spotlight (or working behind it), this is it. Activities range from teaching ballet and mime to designing costumes and sets.

You’ll need to break down routines into fun, achievable steps, encourage shy kids to step onto the stage, and keep everything safe (especially if stunts or stage tech are involved). Most importantly, you’ll need to cheer louder than anyone else when the curtain goes up. Because at camp, it’s not about perfection – it’s about giving every camper their moment in the spotlight.

Performing arts at camp might include choreography, comedian, costume design, dance (ballet, hip hop, jazz, modern, tap ), DJ, drama, lighting , magic, mime, performing arts general counsellor, performing arts activity director, radio, recording engineer/studio, set design, sound technician, stage makeup, stage manager , stunt person, ventriloquist.

Essential skills: creativity, confidence, teamwork, safety awareness, and the ability to make everyone, regardless of fluffed lines, feel like a star.

Special skills

Special skills aren’t about being an expert, they’re about sharing what you know in a way that sparks curiosity. You’ll need to break down complex ideas (like opening moves in chess or rolling a D20) into fun, accessible lessons, adapt your teaching to different ages, and keep it inclusive. If you can make your niche skill feel exciting, you could be that Miss Honey character kids never forget.

Faith-based camps also look for leaders in the Catholic, Christian, or Jewish faiths, while language skills like French, Spanish, or Mandarin are a huge bonus for camps with international campers. And if your talents lean more toward the kitchen, roles in culinary arts or MasterChef-style cooking sessions are just as valued (yes, s’mores count as food science).

Special Skills at camp might include chess, Catholic Faith, Christian Faith, culinary arts, tabletop role playing gamers, Jewish Faith, French, Mandarin, Spanish, LARPing.

Essential skills: passion, inclusivity, creativity, and the ability to turn niche hobbies into mainstream moments.

Sports

You don’t need to be top of your game to run a sport activity at camp, but a passion for what you choose is essential. Whether that’s soccer, tennis, dodgeball, rugby or clay pigeon shooting – for 12 weeks in summer, you are the face and voice of that sport.

You’ll need to coach techniques, referee fairly, and keep kids safe whether they’re holding a bow, swinging a racket, or diving into a tackle. Camps want people who can build team spirit, keep enthusiasm high (even when it’s 90 degrees and mosquitos have invaded the pitch), and make sport fun for absolute beginners and mini prodigies alike. If you can get a camper to enjoy dodgeball after being hit in the face three times, you’ll likely get hired.

Sports at camp might include American football, archery, Australian rules football, baseball, basketball, clay pigeon shooting, cricket, disk golf, dodgeball, fencing, field hockey, football, golf, ice hockey , lacrosse, paintball, pickleball, riflery, road cycling, roller hockey, roller skating, rugby league, rugby union, soccer, softball, sports general counsellor, sports director, tennis, ultimate frisbee, volleyball.

Essential skills: energy, enthusiasm, adaptability, and the skill to keep sports fun for beginners and mini pros.

Watersports

If your happy place is on (or in) the water, camp’s waterfront is calling. Camp Directors want staff who can teach technique, run fun sessions, and most importantly, keep campers safe – lifeguarding, swimming or scuba qualifications are a huge asset. You’ll also need patience with nervous beginners, the ability to handle equipment (from sails to scuba tanks), and enough enthusiasm to make even a soggy day on the lake feel like the best day ever. If you can juggle fun, safety, and suncream reminders, you’re exactly who Camp Directors are looking for.

Watersports at camp might include boat driving, canoeing, diving, fishing, jet ski/sea doo/personal craft, kayaking, knee boarding, lifeguard/lifesaver, paddle boarding, rib driving, rowing, sailing, scuba diving master, surfing, swimming, swim coaching certified, synchronised swimming, wakeboarding, waterfront general counsellor, waterfront director, water polo, water skiing, windsurfing.

Essential skills: strong swimming, lifeguard training, equipment skills, patience with beginners, and waterproof enthusiasm.

Feeling intimidated? Don't.

Yes, this is a deep dive into the depths of summer camp activities and the skills Camp Directors look for when filling their roles. But don't feel intimidated. It's important to remember that not everyone at camp is a lycra-clad competitive extrovert who can mould 11 eight-year olds into forming a semi-pro soccer team. In fact, in the main -we're not.

We're a mixed bag of introverts, extroverts and every personality type in between – who all share one crucial thing. The desire to make sure that our campers have the best summer – leading with empathy, enthusiasm, patience and a bunkload of creative ways to make everyone feel like they belong.

Sound like you? Call us to discuss your experience or apply here.