Summer camp isn’t free from teen career anxiety
Upscale U.S. summer sleepaway camps now emphasize career networking and internship-style programs for teen counselors to address résumé-building pressures, with some camps offering virtual internships and alumni connections. Parents and teens alike view these opportunities as a way to stand out in competitive college admissions, though experts caution against overemphasizing camp experience in applications.
Upscale summer sleepaway camps in the U.S. are increasingly positioning counselor roles as career-boosting opportunities to appeal to affluent parents. Camps like Camp Scatico in Elizaville, New York, and Camps Baco and Che-Na-Wah in Minerva, New York, now offer networking events, résumé workshops, and virtual internships for teen counselors, with fees ranging from $8,000 to $14,975 per session. Aidan Lapatine, an 18-year-old counselor at Camp Scatico, actively engaged with parents—many of whom were alumni—to gather career advice, hoping to leverage those connections for future internships. The shift gained momentum post-COVID-19, with camps hiring career consultants to guide counselors on résumé-building and interview skills. Allison Wortman, co-director of Camps Baco and Che-Na-Wah, noted that counselors now participate in video calls with experts and are matched with alumni for year-round internships. Older campers are also given time off during sessions to complete virtual internships, though pay remains modest, starting at $2,000 for head counselors. Teens like Nella McKasson, an 18-year-old incoming University of Washington freshman, framed their camp experiences as leadership opportunities in college applications. McKasson, who worked as a counselor at Sanborn Western Camps in Florissant, Colorado, described her role as akin to a leadership internship, emphasizing obstacle-solving skills gained through outdoor challenges. However, admissions consultant Hannah Skaran of Ivy Coach in Chicago advises against highlighting camp experiences in applications, warning that they may signal privilege rather than academic passion. The trend reflects broader pressures on high school students to curate résumé-worthy activities, even in recreational settings. Camps benefit by retaining counselors—often former campers—reducing reliance on costly international staff. Yet critics argue the focus on networking risks commercializing summer camp experiences, turning what was once a recreational escape into another competitive arena for teens.
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