When you picture summer camping activities, what comes to mind? Maybe hiking through the woods, telling stories by the campfire, or learning a new skill like archery or canoeing? In the United States, many kids experience summer camping activities for the first time at summer camp. They spend weeks exploring the outdoors, making new friends, and trying so many different activities.

If you’re not in the U.S., you can still experience all of this first-hand by becoming a camp counsellor with AmeriCamp. You get to take part in these classic summer camp traditions, and you’ll also lead activities, share your culture, explore the U.S., and get paid while you do it all! 

In this guide, we’ll explore the most popular summer camping activities that U.S. camps are famous for and how they shape campers’ lives. We’ll also explain how you can be part of it all through AmeriCamp!

Why Summer Camps Are So Popular in the U.S.

For many American kids, summer camp is a rite of passage. The moment school lets out, they pack their bags and head off for weeks filled with games, adventure, and friendships that often last a lifetime. 

The tradition of the USA summer camp goes back over a century, and today there are more than 12,000 camps across the country, welcoming millions of campers every summer.

A Long-Standing American Tradition

The very first organised camps began in the late 1800s, designed to give children from cities a chance to experience the outdoors. Since then, camps have grown into a defining summer experience. 

For many American families, sending kids to camp is as much a tradition as celebrating the Fourth of July. It’s where children try new things, learn independence, and create memories that stick with them into adulthood.

Summer Camps Help Kids Grow

Away from home, kids learn responsibility, teamwork, and confidence by taking part in daily activities. Whether it’s mastering a new sport, leading a group challenge, or performing in a talent show, campers are constantly developing skills they’ll carry for life. 

Research even shows that camp experiences boost social skills, resilience, and problem-solving abilities, making summer camp an important complement to classroom education.

Why International Camp Counsellors Are in High Demand

One of the things that makes summer camp in America so unique today is its international spirit. Camps actively recruit staff from around the world because international counsellors bring fresh perspectives, new skills, and cultural exchange that enrich the camp community. Kids love learning about different traditions, accents, and games from abroad, and it broadens their worldview in a fun, hands-on way.

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The Best Summer Camping Activities

Ask anyone who’s been to camp, and they’ll tell you: the activities are what make summer unforgettable. From watersports to late-night talent shows, every day at camp feels like a new adventure waiting to happen. 

Camps offer a huge variety of activities, giving kids the chance to try things they might never experience at school or at home. While the exact activities vary from camp to camp, most summer camps offer some combination of: 

• Canoeing
• Kayaking
• Paddleboarding
• Swimming
• Hiking
• Nature exploration 
• Campfire storytelling
• Sing alongs
• Outdoor sports (basketball, tennis, soccer, softball, and more)
• Capture the flag
• Dodgeball
• Arts and crafts
• Performing arts
• Ziplining and rope courses

For international camp counsellors, this is where the real magic happens. You’ll be teaching new skills, cheering on campers, and watching their confidence grow. Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular types of activities you’ll find at U.S. summer camps.

Outdoor Adventures

One of the biggest draws of camp is the great outdoors. The best summer camps in the U.S. are set in forests, by lakes, or near mountains, giving campers the perfect backdrop for adventure. If you’re at the stunning Windsor Mountain Summer Camp, for example, you’ll spend a lot of your time by the pristine lake. Some of their outdoor activities include:

• Canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding: Kids learn water safety and balance while enjoying the peace of the lake or the thrill of racing across the water.
• Hiking and nature exploration: Campers discover trails, spot wildlife, and learn about ecosystems firsthand, which sparks curiosity and respect for nature.
• Campfires and storytelling: No camp experience is complete without gathering around the fire to roast marshmallows, sing songs, and swap stories!

As a counsellor, you’ll not only join in but also guide these adventures, helping campers feel safe, inspired, and connected to the natural world.

Sports and Team Games

Sports are a cornerstone of camp life, teaching kids teamwork and perseverance in a fun, supportive setting. Summer adventure camps offer both traditional sports and unique games you won’t see anywhere else:

• Classic sports: Soccer, basketball, baseball, and volleyball are all staples.
• Camp favourites: Capture the Flag, dodgeball, and relay races keep the energy high and spirits competitive.
• Unique games: Ever heard of GaGa ball? This fast-paced dodgeball-style game played in a pit is a summer camp obsession in the U.S.

As a counsellor, you don’t need to be a professional athlete! As long as you’re enthusiastic and ready to encourage campers, you’ll be fine. The focus isn’t on winning, but on fun, inclusion, and team spirit.

Creative and Artistic Fun

Not every camper thrives on competition or outdoor adventure, which is why the arts play such an important role in camp life. These activities give kids (and counsellors!) an outlet to express themselves. The beautiful Camp Starlight, for example, has a performing arts centre, a recording studio, and multiple creative arts studios! They offer activities like: 

• Arts and crafts: Friendship bracelets, tie-dye shirts, and hand-painted souvenirs are camp traditions kids proudly take home.
• Performing arts: Drama productions, talent shows, music sessions, and dance groups bring out campers’ confidence on stage.
• Visual creativity: Photography, creative writing, and digital media workshops are increasingly popular at camps, especially those with specialised programs.

Being a camp counsellor, you might even get the chance to share a craft or performance from your own culture, which is something campers absolutely love.

Skill-Building Activities

Beyond fun and games, camps are about learning practical skills that give campers a sense of independence and achievement. Many camps, like Tyler Hill Camp, introduce activities that challenge kids to try something new:

• Archery and climbing walls: These activities test focus, patience, and courage.
• Ropes courses and zip lines: Campers push past fears while building trust and resilience.
• Outdoor education: Some camps teach survival skills, camping basics, orienteering, and environmental science.
• STEM workshops: Modern camps often include coding, robotics, or science labs to spark curiosity in new fields.

These activities are especially rewarding when you work at a USA summer camp, because you get to witness kids surprise themselves with what they can accomplish.

Special Theme Days and Evening Programs

One of the most memorable parts of camp is the variety of themed events that break up the routine and bring everyone together:

• Theme days: From Olympic-style competitions to carnival days, campers love dressing up and joining in on all the excitement.
• Cultural nights: International staff often get the chance to share food, songs, and traditions from their home countries, turning camp into a global celebration.
• Evening programs: Talent shows, scavenger hunts, dances, and campfire send-offs make sure the fun continues long after the sun goes down.

These special programs are the heart of camp’s community spirit. They create the “big moments” that kids talk about for years afterwards, and counsellors get to be right there in the middle of it all.

The Impact of Summer Camp Activities on Kids

While summer camp in America may look like nonstop fun and games, the activities are carefully chosen to help campers grow. Every canoe trip, craft project, and campfire song plays a role in shaping who they become. Here’s how summer camp activities have a lasting impact on kids’ lives:

Building Confidence and Independence

For some kids, camp is the first time they’ve spent an extended period away from home. That independence can feel daunting at first, but activities are designed to help them succeed step by step. Whether it’s learning how to shoot an arrow in archery, performing in front of peers at a talent show, or completing a ropes course, each accomplishment gives them a boost of confidence.

Over time, children begin to trust their own abilities and take pride in what they can achieve without parents or teachers guiding every step. This newfound independence is one of the biggest gifts the best summer camps in the USA can provide.

Developing Leadership and Teamwork Skills

Camp activities often rely on group participation, making teamwork a natural part of daily life. Games like Capture the Flag, canoe races, or team-building challenges teach campers to cooperate, communicate, and strategise together.

As they get older, campers often have the chance to step into leadership roles by captaining a team, leading a skit, or mentoring younger kids. These experiences show them what it means to motivate others, resolve conflicts, and set an example, all while having fun.

By practising leadership and teamwork in such an encouraging setting, campers gain skills that transfer directly into school, sports, and eventually their professional lives.

Lifelong Friendships and Cultural Exchange

Ask any camper what they loved most about camp, and chances are their first answer will be “the friends I made.” Living, playing, and learning together every day builds strong bonds that can last long after summer ends.

What makes the best summer camps in America stand out is the presence of international counsellors. When staff from different countries share their traditions, games, and languages, kids gain a window into cultures they might never encounter otherwise. These moments of cultural exchange enrich the camp experience and encourage empathy, curiosity, and global awareness in young campers.

How to Become a Camp Counsellor with AmeriCamp

AmeriCamp is designed to guide you every step of the way, from applying at home to settling into camp life in the U.S. Here’s how to get a job as a summer camp counsellor with AmeriCamp.

Eligibility Requirements

AmeriCamp welcomes students and young adults from many different countries, but there are a few basic requirements to be a camp counsellor in America:

• Age: You need to be 18 years old by June 1st of the year you’re attending camp. You can apply when you’re 17, as long as you turn 18 by June 1st.
• Language: You don’t need to be fluent in English, but a good level of spoken English is important for working with kids and communicating with other staff.
• Skills and experience: Prior childcare experience is helpful but not always necessary. If you have camp counsellor resume skills in sports, arts, or other activities, you may qualify as an activity specialist.
• Personality: Camps look for enthusiastic, adaptable, and responsible people; qualities that matter more than a perfect camp counsellor resume.

If you meet these requirements, you’re already a strong candidate to join the AmeriCamp program.

The Application Process

Applying through AmeriCamp is straightforward, and the team supports you along the way. Here’s how to get a summer camp job in America through AmeriCamp:

1. Submit your application online: First, you’ll provide details about your background, skills, and why you want to work at camp. 
2. AmeriCamp interview: We’ll set up an informal chat with an AmeriCamp rep, just to make sure you’re a good fit for camp and to give you the chance to ask questions.
3. Placement: We’ll circulate your resume among our incredible camp partners and match you with a summer camp that suits your values and skills.
4. Camp interview: When a camp director thinks you’d be a good fit for their camp, they’ll set up an interview to learn more about your skills, experience, and personality.
5. J-1 visa support: Once you have a job offer, we’ll help you secure your J-1 camp counsellor visa, so you can legally work and travel in the U.S. You’ll need to submit copies of documents like your passport to us, then we’ll prepare your visa paperwork and support you through your interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country.

From start to finish, the process is designed to be stress-free and transparent. We’re here whenever you need help! 

Training and Orientation Before Camp

All summer camps run orientation sessions, where you’ll get a few days to learn the ropes and meet your fellow staff before the kids show up. At AmeriCamp, we take things one step further and offer orientation before you travel to the U.S., to help you feel more prepared for the summer ahead. We cover topics like: 

• Child safeguarding and supervision
• Leadership and teamwork techniques
• Camp-specific rules and traditions
• Emergency procedures and first aid basics

By day one of your American summer camp job, you’ll feel like a veteran already!

Travel and Support While in the U.S.

One of the biggest advantages of AmeriCamp is that you’re never on your own, even once you’re at camp. And when your summer camp job abroad ends? You’ll have up to 30 days to travel around the U.S., giving you the chance to explore cities like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, or discover America’s national parks with your new friends from camp.

Grab Your Ticket to the Best Summer Ever With AmeriCamp!

AmeriCamp makes it possible for students and young adults around the world to step into this incredible tradition with ease. With affordable program fees, 99% placement success rates, and full support every step of the way, you can focus on what really matters: creating unforgettable memories, building new skills, and exploring the U.S. once camp ends.

If you’re ready to trade an ordinary summer for one filled with adventure, growth, and travel, AmeriCamp is your ticket. Don’t just dream about summer camp, live it! Apply today and get ready for the best summer of your life.