Camp Louise is an all-girls Jewish overnight summer camp in Cascade, Maryland, founded in 1922 by Lillie and Aaron Straus, and operated by Camps Airy & Louise.
Set in beautiful Maryland countryside, this long-running girls’ Jewish summer camp is known for its supportive community and strong focus on empowerment and personal growth. As a camp counsellor, you’ll mentor campers, lead activities, and become a role model, all while earning money and living the full American camp life.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about working at Camp Louise for Girls as an international counsellor, and how to sign up for the most fun summer job in the world with AmeriCamp!
Where Is Camp Louise for Girls?
Camp Louise is located at 24959 Pen Mar Rd, Highfield-Cascade, MD 21719, in the Catoctin Mountains of western Maryland. It’s surrounded by rolling hills, woodland trails, and open green space. It’s just a 90-minute drive from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, but far enough away to feel like a true summer camp escape. Maryland’s warm summers also mean plenty of sunshine, perfect for outdoor activities, lake days, and evenings under the stars.
Who Is the Camp For?
Camp Louise is open to girls entering 2nd to 12th grades (aged seven to 17). It is rooted in Jewish values and traditions, but it’s an inclusive environment and welcomes campers and staff from a variety of backgrounds, including interfaith families. Its partner camp, Camp Airy for Boys, is located 8 miles away. The two camps meet up about once per week and sometimes more, for special events like carnivals.
This USA summer camp focuses on:
- Confidence-building
- Leadership development
- Community and belonging
- Fun, skill-building experiences
The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and is also accredited under the Maryland Youth Camp Safety Act.
How Jewish is Camp Louise?
Camp Louise is an independent Jewish organization, which means all are welcome, regardless of their Jewish identity. They welcome campers and families who are Jews of color, queer, interfaith, and more. While this is a Jewish camp, counsellors do not need to be Jewish, but should respect and understand the faith-based nature of the camp. Jewish celebrations and traditions at Camp Louise include:
- Kosher meals
- Shabbat Services on Friday nights and Saturday mornings led by campers and staff
- Israeli folk dancing and song sessions in the evening
- All white is worn on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings
- “Middah of the Week,” where campers are celebrated for showing friendship, empathy, and teamwork
The camp also hires a group of counsellors from Israel each year, who share a unique perspective on global Judaism with campers and staff.
What Are the Facilities Like?
Camp Louise is set on 700 acres of naturally beautiful mountains and valleys. It offers the classic American summer camp setup, with everything you need for maximum fun! Facilities and amenities include:
- Comfortable cabins for campers and staff (12-14 campers and three counsellors per cabin)
- 24-hour security
- Fully-equipped health centers with physicians and registered nurses on-site 24/7
- Staff lounge or cabana to hang out in when you’re not working
- Self-service laundry facilities
- Huge, air-conditioned, multi-purpose dining hall with projectors and a sound system
- Sports fields (with lights for evening play) and courts for basketball, soccer, and archery
- Visual arts spaces, including a ceramics kiln and separate studios for pottery/glass fusion
- Video and digital photography studio
- Outdoor amphitheater fully outfitted with lighting and sound capabilities
- Dance and drama room workshops, including a dance studio with mirrored walls
- A fully-equipped multimedia studio
- A 500-foot zipline
- Outdoor adventure areas, a 27-foot climbing wall, and rope and challenge courses
- Two swimming pools (a shallow-water pool and an Olympic-sized deep-water pool)
- A giant, three-tube, 30-foot waterslide
As you can see, there’s plenty to keep you (and a big group of energetic campers) occupied!
What Camp Programs and Activities Are Offered?
Campers at Camp Louise for Girls rotate through different activities throughout the day, giving them the chance to try new things and build skills in areas they love. Activities are broken into different categories, including:
- Sports and fitness: Team sports, gymnastics, tennis, yoga, archery, and more
- Creative arts: Woodworking, cooking, digital photography, and more
- Outdoor fun: Rock climbing, canoeing, fishing, and more
- Performing arts: Ballet, modern dance, music, drama, and video production
- Swimming: Swim instruction, free play, and water safety activities like log rolling
- Special events: Colour Games and unique traditions like “Jewish Chicks Rock”
Wondering what Colour Games involves? It’s a themed, day-long competition where camp is split into four teams that compete in field and pool activities for points. Campers also create team banners and skits for the closing ceremony. Past themes include Harry Potter Games and Superhero Games. It’s a whole lot of chaos and a whole lot of fun!
Why Work at Camp Louise for Girls?
Working at Camp Louise for Girls is about gaining real experience, building lifelong friendships, and stepping into a role that challenges and develops you in ways few other summer jobs can. Here’s how we know you’ll love it.
The American Summer of Your Dreams
If you’ve ever pictured what a “classic” summer camp in America looks like, with cabins by the lake, team colours, campfire songs, late-night bonding talks, and action-packed activity days, Camp Louise delivers exactly that.
This gives you so much more than just sightseeing in the U.S. Rather than simply observing American culture, you’re really living it! You’ll get to:
- Share your own culture with campers
- Learn new traditions
- Build friendships with American and international staff
- Become part of a tight-knit community
It’s one of the most authentic ways to experience the United States.
Impress Future Employers
Working at a summer camp like Camp Louise is leadership training in disguise. As a counsellor, you’re responsible for:
- Supervising and safeguarding children
- Managing group dynamics
- Leading activities
- Solving problems in real time
- Communicating with staff and leadership teams
That’s a serious level of responsibility, especially if you don’t have a lot of work experience yet. Future employers (whether in teaching, childcare, business, healthcare, sports, or corporate roles) value candidates who can demonstrate:
- Leadership
- Adaptability
- Teamwork
- Initiative
- Cultural awareness
Guess what? Camp Louise for Girls will teach you all of those!
Explore the U.S. After Camp
Because Camp Louise is based in Maryland, you’re already close to iconic destinations like:
- Washington, D.C.
- New York City
- Philadelphia
- Boston
You might even be able to explore some of those places on your days off. If you don’t have time, no worries! Your J-1 camp counsellor visa gives you a whole 30 days after camp ends to travel anywhere you like in the U.S. Some counsellors even team up and travel together to maximise the fun!
What Do Camp Counsellors Do at Camp Louise for Girls?
At Camp Louise, being a camp counsellor is about being a mentor, role model, problem-solver, and energy-bringer all rolled into one. There are two main types of counsellors at Camp Louise: Bunk Counsellors and Specialist Counsellors.
Bunk Counsellors act as general camp counsellors, who help out wherever needed and typically supervise the same group of campers (the 12-16 that they’re bunking with) for the duration of camp.
Specialist Counsellors have specialized skills in a certain field (dance, music, swimming, etc.) and help to plan and run activities in those areas. Generally, Specialist Counsellors sleep in separate cabins in either a single or shared room with a bathroom.
What Does a Typical Day Look Like for a Counsellor at Camp Louise?
While the specific activities change, the general structure remains the same. Here’s how a “standard” day at Camp Louise unfolds:
- 7:45 AM Wake up
- 8:25 AM Camp line-up at flag pole
- 8:30 AM Breakfast
- 9:15 AM Bunk clean-ups
- 10:00 AM First activity
- 11:00 AM Second activity
- 12:15 PM Lunch
- 1:00 PM Mail and bunk time
- 1:30 PM Third activity
- 2:30 PM Fourth activity
- 3:30 PM Fifth activity
- 4:30 PM Bunk/shower time
- 5:30 PM Dinner
- 7:00 PM Sixth activity
- 8:00 PM Special unit or camp-wide evening program
- 9:00 PM Bunk time
- 9:30 PM Start of lights out (beginning with younger campers)
One afternoon activity period is a free swim for every camper. An afternoon snack is also provided during these times.
What’s the Culture Like?
As a girls’ camp rooted in strong values and empowerment, the atmosphere is positive, encouraging, and inclusive.
You can expect:
- Strong female leadership and mentorship
- A focus on confidence-building and independence
- Deeply rooted camp traditions
- A tight-knit staff community
Staff culture is one of the highlights for international counsellors. You’ll work alongside Americans and other international staff, creating a genuinely global environment. You’ll be pushed outside your comfort zone, trusted with real responsibility, and supported by senior staff with training and feedback.
What Does Camp Louise Look for in a Camp Counsellor?
Camp Louise prioritizes camp counsellor qualities like teamwork, responsibility, and positivity. These are far more important than any prior experience working at summer camp, or even working with kids. If you can show that you’re a good fit personality-wise, you can learn the rest during your orientation and training sessions.
Here are some of the traits that you should try to emphasise as you apply (and interview) for counsellor roles at camps like Camp Louise:
- Energy and enthusiasm: Camp days are long, active, and full-on. Whether you’re leading a football session or hyping up your cabin before an evening event, energy is contagious. Camps look for counsellors who are willing to jump in and get involved.
- Responsibility and maturity: You’ll be trusted with the care and safety of children. That’s a big deal. Being punctual, following rules, and taking your role seriously are essential.
- Patience and empathy: Homesickness, friendship challenges, and emotional ups and downs are part of camp life. Counsellors who can listen, reassure, and respond calmly are incredibly valuable.
- Teamwork: You won’t be working alone. You’ll collaborate with co-counsellors, activity specialists, and leadership staff daily. Being supportive, flexible, and communicative makes camp run smoothly.
- Adaptability: Weather changes. Plans shift. Campers surprise you. The ability to stay positive and pivot when needed is one of the most important traits a counsellor can have.
Skills That Make You Stand Out
While personality is key, certain skills can help your application shine. We mentioned earlier that Camp Louise for Girls hires general Bunk Counsellors as well as Specialist Counsellors. If you’re interested in a Specialist Counsellor role, these skills can help you get a foot in the door:
- Athletics (particularly any coaching experience)
- Arts and crafts (even highly specific skills like copper enameling are welcome)
- Farming or cooking
- Dance, drama, or improv
- Music, multimedia, or photography
- Hiking or survival skills
- Parkour, aerial arts, or rope courses
In some cases, you need specific qualifications or certifications, but that’s not always the case. Just include as much detailed information on your application as possible, and be ready to talk about your experience when you’re answering camp counsellor interview questions.
How Do I Become a Counsellor at Camp Louise for Girls?
As an international applicant, you’ll need to apply through a placement organisation like AmeriCamp, who will guide you through everything from interviews to visa paperwork and act as your J-1 visa sponsor.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria and Requirements?
- Age requirements: You must be at least 18 years old by June 1st of the year you’re applying for. You don’t need to be enrolled in (or have graduated from) a college or university.
- English proficiency: You need to be comfortable speaking and understanding English fluently, as you’ll be supervising children and communicating with staff daily.
- Experience with children (preferred): You don’t need formal teaching qualifications to work at Camp Louise, but experience such as babysitting, coaching sports, or tutoring can all strengthen your application.
- Availability for the full season: AmeriCamp requires all participants to be available from before June 18th and up to August 15th at a minimum. More availability opens up more camp opportunities for you!
- A positive, responsible attitude: Perhaps most importantly, Camp Louise looks for maturity, resilience, and a willingness to get involved.
What Type of Visa Do I Need?
International counsellors working at Camp Louise enter the U.S. on a J-1 visa under the Camp Counselor category. The J-1 camp counsellor visa is part of the U.S. Exchange Visitor Program and is designed specifically for cultural exchange. It allows you to:
- Work at an approved U.S. summer camp
- Share your culture with American campers
- Experience American life firsthand
- Travel in the U.S. for 30 days after camp ends
To qualify for the J-1 visa, you must:
- Be proficient in English
- Be at least 18 years old
- Intend to return to your home country after the program
The visa process involves paperwork, a sponsor organisation, and a U.S. embassy appointment, which is why applying through a recognised program like AmeriCamp makes things significantly easier.
How to Apply Through AmeriCamp
- Start your application: You’ll complete an online application detailing your experience, skills, and preferred roles.
- Interview with AmeriCamp: You’ll have a virtual, informal interview to discuss your suitability, personality, and goals. This helps match you with the right camp.
- Camp interview and placement: If Camp Louise is interested, you’ll interview directly with their team. If it’s a mutual fit, you’ll receive an official job offer.
- Visa sponsorship and paperwork: AmeriCamp helps coordinate your J-1 visa sponsorship, guides you through the required documents, and prepares you for your embassy appointment.
- Pre-departure support: Before you fly, you’ll receive guidance on what to pack, what to expect, travel logistics, U.S. culture, and camp life.
Throughout the process (and during your entire summer camp job abroad), you’ll have ongoing support from the AmeriCamp team.
FAQs
How Much Do Counsellors Earn at Camp Louise for Girls?
Camp counsellor pay varies depending on your age, experience, and role, but AmeriCamp guarantees a minimum of $2,250 USD for your time at camp. When you consider that your accommodation and meals are taken care of, you can save pretty much everything you earn!
What Training and Support Does the Camp Provide?
At Camp Louise, staff arrive a week before the campers to go through orientation, training, and to get to know each other. Before camp even kicks off, you’ll understand the emergency procedures, the specifics of your role, and who to reach out to if you have any issues. Once camp is underway, you’ll have support from your co-counsellors and senior staff.
What Should I Pack? Is There a Uniform?
There’s no uniform, but there is a Camp Louise packing list for staff! There’s also an AmeriCamp packing list if you want to take a peek at both.
What Happens if I Get Homesick?
A lot of counsellors feel homesick at some point, especially if this is their first time living abroad. If you’re struggling, speak to other counsellors or your supervisor. You’ll likely find that once you get into the groove of camp life, you’ll be having too much fun to miss home!
Do I Get Time Off?
At Camp Louise, staff typically receive one day off (which includes both an evening and the following day) and one night off each week (in which case they need to be back at camp before the evening curfew). Counsellors are expected to be “on duty” whenever they are at camp, but scheduling around activities will vary from day to day.
What Is the Food Like at Camp Louise for Girls?
Camp Louise offers a diverse, balanced, and kid-friendly menu. Breakfast on most days includes staples like eggs, cereal, milk, yogurt, and fruit, as well as rotating additional items like pancakes, waffles, bagels, French toast, hash browns, and more.
Lunch and dinner may include meals like grilled cheese and tomato soup, pizza, chicken nuggets, sandwiches and wraps, hamburgers and hot dogs, pasta dishes, stir-fries, and more! They offer fruits and vegetables at all lunches and dinners, in addition to their salad bar.
All meals are served Kosher-Style, which means they do not serve pork or shellfish, or serve meat and dairy together. The camp can accommodate most alternative diets, like vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free, and can also support most individuals with specific food allergies.
When Does Camp Louise Run?
The first Camp Louise session runs from mid-June to mid-July, and the second session runs from mid-July to mid-August. Counsellors are expected to be at camp early for orientation; more details are available once you accept a role at the camp.
Start Your Journey to Camp Louise With AmeriCamp!
Spending your summer at Camp Louise is a chance to lead, grow, travel, and experience a true American summer from the inside out. You’ll gain confidence, develop real-world skills, form lifelong friendships, and become a role model to young girls.
Applying internationally might seem complicated, but that’s where AmeriCamp comes in! We can help you find the right camp fit, prepare for interviews, secure your visa, and navigate paperwork and embassy appointments.
If you’re ready to soak up the sun, earn money, and make your summer unforgettable, start your AmeriCamp application here!
.jpeg)
