The camp de ‘bunk’ series: Why a single gender camp will rock your summer

“There will only be female staff at an all-girls camp”

“All single gender camps are rustic without great facilities”

Just two of the myths surrounding working at an all-girls or all-boys summer camp that I’m here to bust wide open. But first a few questions to clear up...

What is a single gender camp?

In a nutshell, single gender camps are predominately for boy or girl campers. This doesn’t mean that all of the staff will be one gender, a lot of the time there will a handful of staff of the opposite gender. Single gender camps will also typically fall into another category of camp. For example, you could work at a boys-only non-profit camp or an all-girls private camp. Another things to remember is that a girls/boys only camp is not the same as a Girl/Boy Scout camp.

The benefits of working at a single gender camp

From a young age, both boys and girls are taught to fall into their typical gender stereotypes, but single gender camps are amazing places to forget all of those and just be yourself. At camp, you’re accepted for everything that you are, and you’ll never be judged – it’s a place where you are just embraced for who you are.

Single gender camps can help boys and girls step away from what is expected of them as males and females and can allow them to learn what activities they prefer, food they enjoy and clothing they are comfortable in – as individuals.

All-boys camps

At all-boys camps, boys interact mainly with male counsellors who take on nurturing roles. Boys also learn that tasks stereotypically viewed as “women’s work" such as cleaning, are part of their responsibilities as well, with male staff members leading by example. This can be super rewarding for a staff member.

All-girls camps

Then at girls-only camps, young girls interact with women in leadership positions who set expectations and shape camp culture. Girls see women in leadership positions by watching their female camp directors and counsellors run camp each day. Girls have opportunities to take on leadership roles themselves, such as serving as Colour War captains or participating in ‘camper councils’ which is really empowering to be a part of.

De-bunking the myths 

“You don’t get the real American Summer Camp experience”

This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions - even I was guilty of this before I went to camp. Not every camp will look like the traditional camps from the movies or the internet, but the camp experience is so much more than what it looks like. When you arrive at camp, no matter what type of camp it is – you’ll feel it!

“All Single-Gender camps are rustic without great facilities”

Nope – not all of them! Single gender camps can look just like the traditional camps you see on social media, and a lot of them have the same sports and activities. Plus – photos can be deceiving a lot of the time. Many camps look a million times more beautiful IRL than in the photos on their profile or website.

“There will only be female staff at an all-girls camp”

Whilst working at a single gender camp usually means the campers will generally be male or female, this doesn’t mean that all the staff will be. A lot of single gender camps have both genders working there.

For example, while many all-girl camps do prioritise hiring female counsellors, they often hire male staff in roles such as maintenance, kitchen staff, and specialised activity instructors. However, the core counselling and leadership positions at all-girl camps are typically filled by women to foster strong role models and a comfortable, empowering atmosphere for the female campers. In some all-girls camps, the male staff are called ‘Br-uncles’.

Plus – a lot of camps will have brother/sister camps nearby where sometimes they’ll get together for joint all-camp events.

“I want to work at a big camp but single gender camps are all small”

Not all of them. There are some Single Gender camps that are bigger than some private camps.

“If it’s all girls, it’ll be too cliquey”

Single gender camps can be the most inclusive places to ever be. At my camp for example, whilst there were smaller groups of closer friends, all of the female staff members got on really well and pretty much every day off we all did something as a group. Plus – you may not always be living with your ‘best camp friend’ which is a nice way for everyone to mix with each other.

Why working at a single gender camp was the best decision I ever made 

I worked in an Girl Scouts camp in Bridgton, Maine. Before I got hired, I’d seen private co-ed camps all over my social media, so naturally, I wanted that too. I’ve always been passionate about female empowerment but I never really considered an all-girls camp, but I am so glad that my camp journey worked out that way.

Empowering the young girls was one of our main goals. My camp was female-led and female-focused. Getting to be a role model to young girls and growing their confidence was so rewarding. Basically just setting an example, showing them that they could do whatever they work hard for and put their mind to.

Summer camp, and especially Girl Scouting, can have such a huge impact on girls. We used to sing a camp song called ‘Can a Woman’ (look it up) and it was everyone’s favourite – so empowering!

Plus, learning all about the Girl Scouts was so cool. Helping girls earn badges, learning the Girl Scout Promise, and singing songs that have been passed down for years.

One of my favourite Girl Scout traditions is the use of camp names — each staff member picks or gets given a nickname, such as Fred, Mermaid, or Giggles. We kept our real names a secret from the campers until their last day, making it exciting when they finally get to find out our real names after guessing all week. It might sound cringey but it's actually a lot of fun, and by the end of the summer, you low-key even forget to respond to your real name.

I also worked alongside some incredible women from all over the world who still to this day are girl bossing around the globe!

Inspired by Roisin’s story? Check out the different types of American summer camps you can work at.