Counselors of Summer Camps for Children and Adolescents – Between Expectations and Reality

Abstract

Counselors play a key role in fostering positive behaviors and organizing leisure activities, and they should have the required experience and knowledge for working with minors. Therefore, this study was undertaken to identify counselors’ motives for working at summer camps, and to elicit counselors’ opinions about their profession and work environment. The study involved a survey of 175 summer camp counselors. The vast majority of the participants (86%) were women; 34% were professionally active teachers, and 23% were Polish Scouts instructors. The results of the survey were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics, and Pearson’s chi-squared test of independence. 88% of the respondents took summer camp jobs because they enjoyed working with children. Remuneration was a critical factor in the choice of specific job offers (42%), but 70% were not satisfied with the offered wages; 91% of the respondents had completed training courses for camp counselors, but 66% were of the opinion that training does not adequately prepare counselors for the job. Training courses do not thoroughly prepare counselors for working with underage campers. Therefore, obligatory training or internship opportunities for entry-level camp counselors should be considered. Counseling work is a demanding profession, but the offered wages are not proportional to camp counselor’s duties and responsibilities.