Summer Camp Counselor 2026 - New York City

TURN YOUR SUMMER INTO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY – BECOME A SEASONAL CAMP COUNSELOR WITH KIDS IN THE GAME!

Empower Staff, Inspire Campers, and Build a Summer That Matters.

Kids in the Game provides unforgettable day camp experiences for hundreds of New York children across Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and now Westchester & Jersey City! When you join the Kids in the Game summer camp leadership cohort, you’ll be part of a dynamic team of Camp Directors, Assistant Directors, and 275+ coaches running outstanding programming at our 13 summer day camps. 

THE KIDS IN THE GAME SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE

Kids in the Game camps are where sports, creativity, and community come together to shape confident, compassionate, and connected kids. Every summer, our camps across New York City, Westchester & Jersey City bring together diverse groups of children to explore new sports, build friendships, develop positive social skills, and learn how to be part of a team. Our camps offer kids a uniquely designed blend of sports and games, arts and crafts, STEM enrichment, field trips, swim activities, theme weeks, and all-camp special events to make every week the highlight of a child's summer.

Each day is fueled by energy, laughter, and belonging. Our team of camp leaders, specialists, and counselors create an environment where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to try something new. We believe camp is more than a summer activity — it’s a place where kids discover who they are and who they can become.

As a Certified B Corporation, we're also on a mission to positively impact the lives of all of our stakeholders - campers, families, staff, community members, and our partners. We’re looking for Camp Counselors who want to be positive role models, build emotional intelligence, boost confidence, create inclusive communities, and help bring high-quality camp experiences to kids across NYC, Westchester and Jersey City.. 

Your Leadership Can Change the Game — Join Kids in the Game This Summer.

Camp Counselor ROLE & KEY TASKS

As a Camp Counselor, you will report to your Division Leader and Camp Leadership Team and work closely with fellow counselors and specialists to supervise campers and deliver engaging daily programming. You are responsible for creating a safe, supportive, and high-energy environment for your assigned group of campers while actively participating in and facilitating camp activities.

This role is rooted in youth development, teamwork, and hands-on engagement. Camp Counselors lead activities, support camper social-emotional growth, manage group dynamics, and model positive behavior throughout the camp day. You are a consistent presence for campers—helping them feel included, confident, and excited to come to camp each morning.

Camp Counselors are expected to be active participants in camp life, jumping into games, supporting transitions, collaborating with staff, and contributing to a positive camp culture grounded in Kids in the Game’s mission and values.

We currently have 12 New York based camp locations and 1 Jersey City camp location. The sites and addresses are:

• Westchester & The Bronx:
• Westchester-Crestwood - 465 Westchester Ave, Tuckahoe, NY 10707
• Riverdale - 3120 Corlear Ave, Bronx, NY 10463
• Manhattan:
• Inwood - 532 W 215th St, New York, NY 10034
• Upper West Side - 147 W 70th St, NY, NY 10023
• West Village - 272 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014
• Chelsea - 259 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001
• Upper East Side (Carnegie Hill)- 980 Park Ave, New York, NY 10028
• Upper East Side (Lenox Hill) - 132 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075
• East Village - 215 E 6th St New York, NY 10003
• Brooklyn:
• Park Slope - 588 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
• Greenpoint - 100 Dobbin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
• Fort Greene - 39 Adelphi St, Brooklyn, NY 11205

You must be able to arrive by 7:45am daily via public transportation or personal transportation (car) and stay on-site until 4:15pm daily (and until 5:30pm twice per week to support after care activities).

The Camp Counselor’s responsibilities include:

Ambassadorship, Core Values & Camp Culture

• Positivity: As a Camp Counselor, you bring energy, enthusiasm, and optimism to each day, regardless of weather, schedule changes, or unexpected challenges. You encourage campers through praise, motivation, and growth-focused language, helping them build confidence and resilience. By showing up with a positive attitude and a willingness to engage, you help create a fun, upbeat camp culture where campers and staff feel excited, supported, and proud to participate.
• Empathy: Camp Counselors demonstrate patience, understanding, and compassion when working with campers of different ages, backgrounds, and needs. You listen actively to campers’ concerns and respond with care, respect, and emotional awareness. By supporting campers’ emotional development and social learning alongside physical activity and play, you help create an environment where children feel safe, understood, and valued.
• Commitment: Camp Counselors show up prepared, punctual, and reliable for all scheduled shifts, trainings, and responsibilities. You fully commit to required pre-summer training sessions, both virtual and on-site, and maintain consistency in behavior expectations, camper supervision, and group management throughout the season.
• Ambition: Camp Counselors seek opportunities to grow as leaders, mentors, and youth development professionals. You are open to feedback, coaching, and guidance from Camp Directors and Leadership, and you take initiative in planning activities, solving problems, and supporting team needs. With a mindset of continuous improvement, you strive to make each day at camp better than the last for both campers and staff.
• Inclusivity: Camp Counselors create a welcoming environment where all campers feel safe, respected, and included. You celebrate differences in ability, identity, background, and experience, and adapt activities to ensure equitable participation and access for all campers. By modeling inclusive language, behavior, and teamwork, you help foster a camp community where every child feels they belong.

Camper Supervision & Youth Development

• Provide active supervision of campers at all times, including during activities, transitions, meals, field trips, swimming days, and aftercare
• Build positive relationships with campers and support their social-emotional growth
• Help campers navigate conflict, homesickness, frustration, and peer interactions with care and empathy
• Encourage campers to try new activities, practice teamwork, and celebrate effort and improvement

Activity Leadership & Engagement

• Support sports, games, and physical activities appropriate for campers ages Pre-K through middle school
• Facilitate age-appropriate team time activities aligned with weekly themes
• Adapt activities to meet different skill levels, learning styles, and comfort levels
• Actively participate in all activities—modeling enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and positive behavior

Team Collaboration & Communication

• Work collaboratively with fellow counselors, specialists, Division Leaders, and Camp Directors
• Communicate clearly and professionally with camp leadership regarding camper needs, incidents, or concerns
• Support specialists and leadership during special events, theme days, and all-camp programming
• Contribute positively to staff culture and team morale

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all Department of Health regulations and camp safety protocols
• Maintain proper supervision ratios and safety standards at all times
• Respond calmly and effectively to behavioral, medical, or environmental incidents
• Assist with incident documentation and reporting as directed by leadership
• Support a culture of both physical and emotional safety for campers and staff

SEASONAL WORK EXPECTATIONS & SUMMER SCHEDULE

Pre-Summer Work Expectations & Schedule:

• Part-time participation in virtual and in-person trainings during May and June
• Required attendance at:
• Virtual trainings (starting early June)
• Three on-site training days the week before camp begins
• In-person field day training
• Training attendance is mandatory and paid upon completion

Summer Camp Schedule

• Dates: Late June through August (7–8 weeks depending on location)
• Hours: Monday–Friday, approximately 7:45 AM – 4:15 PM
• Support at least two days per week of aftercare (until approximately 5:30 PM)
• Work Environment: Full-time, in-person at assigned camp location
• Camp Size: 30–100+ campers with 10–30+ staff members

Requirements

Our ideal Camp Counselor candidate:

• Is amazing with children and passionate about youth development
• Has experience working with children in camp, school, sports, or recreational settings (preferred)
• Can build positive relationships with campers, families, and staff
• Communicates clearly and professionally
• Demonstrates strong problem-solving and teamwork skills
• Is able to pass required background checks and provide medical clearance
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certification preferred (or willingness to obtain)

Physical Requirements & Active Coaching Expectations

At Kids in the Game, our coaches are active, engaged, and present with kids—on the playground, in the gym, and out in the community. The physical requirements below reflect the essential functions of our coaching roles and the dynamic environments in which our programs take place. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities in performing these essential functions.

Physical activity levels may vary by coaching placement (recess, PE, after school, or summer camp), but all roles involve active supervision, movement, and hands-on engagement with children.

Active supervision & physical requirements include:

1. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time, including during outdoor activities, playground supervision, gym classes, or park-based programming.
2. Ability to walk to and from nearby program locations or parks, sometimes several blocks, while supervising children.
3. Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, and reach to engage with children at their level, assist with activities, or provide support as needed.
4. Ability to climb stairs in school buildings or community facilities.
5. Ability to lift and carry up to 25–40 pounds, including sports equipment, activity supplies, or personal belongings (weight may vary by role).
6. Ability to participate in active games and movement-based activities, including running, jumping, throwing, and demonstrating basic sports skills.
7. Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, or light rain, depending on program needs.
8. Ability to maintain visual and auditory awareness to supervise children effectively and ensure safety in active environments.

Benefits

WHY WORK WITH KIDS IN THE GAME

At Kids in the Game, you can expect to be welcomed into an engaging and spirited environment that emphasizes the importance of teamwork, open communication, and collaboration. We are proud to foster an inclusive environment where our team members feel respected by and connected to one another. We value the unique experiences, perspectives, and passions of our employees, and we look forward to adding dynamic personalities to our team. We are AMBITIOUS. POSITIVE, COMMITTED, INCLUSIVE, and EMPATHETIC.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: 

We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment for all of our interns and employees. We recruit candidates from across the city, state, and country, from all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. We have developed partnerships with organizations that allow us to target our hiring practices to include chronically discriminated against or low-income groups, and improve their access to high-quality employment opportunities.

SEASONAL COMPENSATION STRUCTURE

This is a part-time, seasonal position based in New York City. Camp Counselors must be available to participate in pre-summer trainings (virtual and on-site) to complete pre-summer work expectations. Camp Counselors must be available to work full summer camp hours from late June to the end of August.

Pre Summer Compensation - $375

• $150 for virtual trainings
• $150 for all 3 on-site training days
• $75 for an in-person field day in June
• Training attendance is mandatory; you will only be paid for the trainings that you attend / complete on time.
• You must complete all virtual and in-person training. 

Note: Individual pay rates are based on camp enrollment (number of campers per week) and prior years of experience in similar roles and prior sports-related experience. 

• Pay Schedule: Biweekly salary payments from late June - August 2026
• Riverdale, Inwood, UES Carnegie Hill, Yorkville, East Village, West Village, Park Slope, Greenpoint, Fort Greene, and Jersey City will run for 8 weeks
• Westchester-Crestwood and UWS camp locations will run for 7 weeks
• Total salary range based on 8 weeks of summer camp:
• $450 to $600 per week 
• 8 week camp salary range (without the training stipend)
• $3,600 to $4,800

• Total salary range based on 7 weeks of summer camp:
• $450 to $600 per week 
• 7 week camp salary range (without the training stipend)
• $3,150 to $4,200