Compensation and Benefits
In addition to a once-in-a-lifetime experience in which you’ll be a true influencer in the lives of young people, a summer at Akeela also offers a highly competitive salary package:
- Base Salary – Every staff member receives a competitive base salary for their summer work, which forms the foundation of their compensation package.
- End of Season Bonus – At the end of the season, staff members earn a bonus in recognition of their dedication, contributions, and impact throughout the summer.
- Travel Allowance – Staff members are paid a (non-taxed) reimbursement for a portion of their travel costs
- Paid Internship Opportunities – Counselors can apply their summer work toward college credit through our internship program.
- Certification Compensation – Counselors who receive certifications for their job at camp, such as Lifeguarding, First Aid/CPR, or Wilderness Training may be eligible for reimbursement. These certifications not only benefit camp but also provide staff with valuable, transferable credentials for the future.
- Additional Roles & Responsibilities – Staff members who take on leadership positions (e.g. activity heads, assistant head counselors) receive additional compensation for their expertise and contributions.
- Worker’s Compensation Coverage – In the unlikely event of a work-related injury, staff are covered under workers’ compensation, ensuring financial protection and medical care if needed.
- Room & Board Provided – All housing and meals are included throughout the summer. Staff enjoy three meals a day and snacks at no cost.
Compensation & Financial Benefits
Compensation (base salary, completion bonus and travel allowance) for most first-time Akeela cabin counselors and specialists is as follows:
- Completing freshman year of college: $2100 salary + travel allowance
- Completing sophomore year of college: $2200 salary + travel allowance
- Completing junior year of college: $2300 salary + travel allowance
- Completing senior year of college: $2400 salary + travel allowance
- One or more year post-college: $2500 salary + travel allowance
We absolutely love having international counselors at Akeela! If you do come to us from another country, your salary will differ slightly from the figures listed above, due to the cost of visa processing and health insurance and/or international staff agency fees.
apply nowOther Benefits
- Camp Gear – This includes staff t-shirts, lanyards, whistles, clipboards, binders, notebooks, etc. All apparel is yours to keep after the summer.
- Laundry Service – Regular laundry service is available to staff at no charge.
- Time Off Shuttle Service – On all days off and many evenings out, camp provides transportation to and from local destinations.
- Technology & Staff Lounge – Counselors have access to Wi-Fi and a dedicated staff lounge, which includes a small weight-lifting gym.
- Healthcare Support – Onsite licensed nurses are available to provide medical care throughout the summer.
- Use of Camp Facilities – When not interfering with camp programming, staff members have access to a wide range of facilities, including boating, tennis & pickleball, sports fields and more.
additional benefits
- Mentorship & Coaching – Every staff member has a supervisor who meets 1:1 with them throughout the summer. They help set goals, reflect on progress, and provide guidance for camp and beyond.
- Professional Network – You’ll join a network of Akeela alumni who remain actively engaged in professional fields across the country. This network has helped countless staff members secure jobs, internships, and career opportunities after camp.
- Letters of Recommendation – Staff may request letters of recommendation and references from leadership and administrative staff, who can speak to their professionalism, leadership, and character.
- Friendships & Community – Akeela staff members consistently describe the relationships they build at camp as life-changing. Shared experiences, traditions, and memories make our staff community a lifelong network of support and friendship.
Time Off
We appreciate how hard our counselors work and believe that time off is extremely important to maintaining a happy, motivated staff. Weekly 24-hour days off are supplemented by regular evenings out of camp and down-time during each regular camp day.
Acquire Skills & Build Your Resume, Too!
According to the American Camp Association:
Camp jobs offer invaluable skill-building, leadership, training, and enrichment opportunities found nowhere else. Regardless of your college major, camp experiences allow you to learn and develop skills that will enhance your job marketability. The benefits go far beyond a paycheck, too. Business executives often note that experience as a camp counselor translates into excellent management and personnel skills. Young adults working as counselors have the opportunity to:
- live, play and work in the great outdoors;
- experience another part of the country;
- bank more money that you think – with few expenses;
- master real-life problem-solving skills;
- have a significant and positive influence in the lives of children;
- develop greater self-understanding;
- participate in experiences that enhance personal growth; and
- make friends from all over the US and abroad.
Camp Akeela also offers college and graduate level internships and/or practicum hours. Give us a call to find out if a summer at Akeela will satisfy the requirements of your particular situation.
