Prestigious Sleep Away Camp in the Beautiful Adirondack Mountains of New York

Staff members at Raquette Lake Camps don’t entertain campers, we engage them. And to make sure that happens, we are looking for counselors who are prepared to be the best big brothers and big sisters they can be. Through your passion and personality, campers will learn more about themselves and their potential.

Raquette counselors get the chance to develop deep bonds with their campers, spending seven weeks in the same bunk with the same kids and staff...while many also work at a favorite activity area where they can share their skills with all our campers. These program activity areas are manned by both professional instructors and dedicated counselors, who challenge campers to learn new skills and improve old ones, all while having so much fun they never want to leave.

At Raquette, we believe that when kids just play that's how they make friends, exercise, build community, and have fun. And play at Raquette means a blend of guided instruction, learning, practice and doing. Our setting is non-competitive, but we challenge our campers every day to try something new, do something better than they did yesterday, and have fun while doing it.

Most importantly though, friends are the reason campers (and many of our staff) return year after year. A child will only love camp and have fun if he or she has a friend to enjoy it with. Having friends and big brothers/big sisters to lean on makes trying new or scary things easier. That's why we take counselor orientation seriously, teaching counselors how to foster those friendships, all while helping campers be the best they can be.

That's why in many ways, we measure our success by the personal connections our campers take home with them far more than any trophies or awards. And that all starts with great counselors. Are you one?

We’re giving you the chance to work hard, play harder, and enjoy the best summer you’ve ever had!

Visit our website, watch our Boys Camp Video or Girls Camp Video and see our virtual-tour. 

From the moment you arrive you'll realize we mean it when we say that you are part of the family. You'll work hard, but remember, the job we are asking you to do is play with kids. Be their big brother or big sister, and become a part of their lives.

At Raquette Lake, we've be hiring, training and nurturing our college-age staff for over 100 years. Our staff alumni have gone on to have great and successful careers, utilizing the skills and experiences they found with us.

Love our sports and activities? Many counselors work with experienced coaches and teachers at a favorite activity area where they can build their own skills and share them with all our campers.

Want to build your resume? Summer camp is a real job, one where you build many of the 21st Century skills you need to succeed including communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. And remember, you'll be supervising others, engaging in key decision-making, establishing ethical positions and and practicing behavioral management…all necessary leadership skills. 

Need internship credit? We can help with that. 

But also, are you ready to make friends? Friends are the reason campers (and many of our staff) return year after year. A child will only love camp and have fun if he or she has a friend to enjoy it with. Having friends and big brothers/big sisters to lean on makes trying new or scary things easier. That's why we take counselor orientation seriously, teaching counselors how to foster those friendships, all while helping campers be the best they can be.

We work in teams so you are never isolated, and we are open to all good ideas and suggestions that might make for a more rewarding camp experience.

Lots of camps talk about fostering a family atmosphere but we mean it! Our counselors have a habit of getting together and traveling together after camp. We have many counselors who decided to become roommates or get full-time jobs together. In fact, we have had several couples in the last few years who met at camp and later got (or are getting) married.

All this is to say that in many ways, we measure our success by the personal connections our campers and staff take home with them far more than any trophies or awards. And that all starts with great counselors. Are you one?

What are you passionate about? It could be as simple as "I love being outdoors all day," or as detailed as "I want to share my love of sailing with others," or one of a million things in between. If you have a passion that you are prepared to share, then Raquette Lake Camps may be perfect for you. We have high expectations. You should be 18 or have completed one year of college. All staff undergo a rigorous background check and thorough interview.

We are seeking college-aged students to live in the bunks with our campers and work as general counselors or activity specialists in one of our daily activity areas. You will be their mentor, companion, and big brother or sister as you guide them through their daily activities, including meals, special events, and out-of-camp trips.

As a general counselor, experience and enthusiasm for working with children are necessities. As a specialty counselor, you need to have a high level of skill in a specific activity, or show an aptitude and strong interest. We hold a mandatory orientation the week before camp; some programs require additional training which we will provide on-site, prior to orientation.

Finally, we expect you to have sound judgment and decision making skills, and be warm, caring, and patient.

Positions do fill up quickly. Please be aware that all staff should be able to arrive on June 19 to begin orientation, and that camp ends on August 12. Certain positions may require you to arrive earlier than the 19th for certification and/or additional orientation. You would be required to remain at camp until the end.

Bear in mind, we don't expect you to be certified or professional at these activities (it would be great if you were), but we do expect you to be passionate about one or more of them. It's that passion and desire to share it with children that will set you apart.

• Boys and Girls General Counselors
• Boys and Girls Lifeguards/Swim Instructors
• Boys and Girls Waterski/Wakeboard/Wakesurfing
• Boys and Girls Sailing Specialists
• Boys and Girls Tennis Instructors
• Boys and Girls Pioneering and Canoe/Kayak
• Boys and Girls Ropes Course
• Boys and Girls Volleyball
• Boys and Girls Basketball
• Boys and Girls Arts & Crafts, Ceramics
• Girls Gymnastics
• Girls English Riding
• Boys Baseball
• Boys Flag Football
• Boys STEAM and Arts

As a general counselor or activity specialist, you will live in the bunks, eat meals, and go to activities with your camper group.  We typically have a 2-1 or 3-1 (age dependent) camper to counselor ratio and bunks with up to 12 campers each.

As a Raquette Lake Camps Staff Member, your compensation starts at $2500 and can go up based on your experience and the number of weeks you work, including the paid Orientation week(s). If any certifications are required we will pay for those, as well as for your time. You will not be charged for anything. Staff uniforms are provided, both room & board is provided, laundry is provided.

All bunks have their own bathrooms and most have their own showers. There is a shower house on boys camp for the oldest boys bunks.

• You will make many life-long friends and develop life skills through leading, guiding, and caring for campers. You will learn from high school and college coaches, professors and teachers, pro athletes, and professional artists.  
   
• Our pay is highly competitive, workers compensation is provided, and room and board is covered. Oh, and while we have shortened our camp season from 8 to 7-1/2 weeks, we are still paying counselors as if you were here the full 8 weeks (at least).
   
• There is high-speed internet access available in counselor lounges and you will have access to many of our facilities during your free time.
   
• Alternatively, you can choose to disconnect from the wired world and enjoy the natural splendor all around you.
   
• All counselors have at least 6 days off during the season and 4 nights off each week. And don't worry if you don't have a car, we have staff transportation to various locations for days and nights off
• Did we mention that you get to spend your summer playing with kids, doing sports and activities you used to do as a kid, or always wanted to try but never got around to?

At a minimum, all staff need to arrive on June 19 for the start of orientation. Certain positions require either additional skill specific orientation and/or certifications and those positions would start earlier, but we require all counselors to commit to staying until the last day of camp on August 12.

Raquette Lake Camps will provide transportation to and from the local airports, train stations and bus stations in Albany, NY.

A number of staff members drive their own personal vehicles to camp or are dropped-off by friends/family. Parking is on-site and free for your entire stay. 

On Camp, counselors have the very best facilities and equipment to work with; during off duty times, counselors can & should take advantage of all we have to offer.  You will have the ability to hone your skills within your area of expertise, as well as learn new and exciting activities from other staff members who are always eager to share their passions. 

Some counselors will accompany our campers on out of camp trips once per week.  These trips can be one to four days in length, and include hiking, camping, theme parks and a number of other local attractions.  All expenses on camp trips are provided by the camp.

On days off, staff members can enjoy a wide variety of options in the region.  Hiking & camping are at our doorstep. Nearby towns include Old Forge, Lake George, Lake Placid, and Burlington, VT.  Visit the racetrack in Saratoga or go paintballing in North Creek. Also accessible on your day off are Montreal, Albany, Syracuse and even Boston or New York City for those staff members that don't mind spending a little extra time in the car.