Holiday break is a great time to start thinking about this one big thing

You’re sitting near the fireplace, enjoying a nice, warm cup of hot chocolate, when suddenly it hits you: “What am I going to do for a job next summer?!?”

For everyone out there ages 15—115, it’s not too early to start looking for a job at a BSA camp.

And if you’re a BSA camp executive, it’s not too early to start promoting your 2024 openings.

As we prepare to turn the calendar to 2024, we’re thankful for all the reasons it’s beneficial to work at Scout camp, and for how convenient it is to find the right job for yourself in the coming year.

A job that keeps you outdoors and active is good for you

Most people spend too much time in a seated position.

One in four U.S. adults sits for more than eight hours a day, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The problem has become so prevalent that our smart watches have to remind us to stand up and walk around every once in a while. In offices, people have begun installing standing desks.

A job at Scout camp will keep you active and on your feet.

Whether you’re working as a merit badge counselor, a lifeguard or a cook, your job will keep you active throughout the day.

And, most often, you’ll also spend a lot of time outdoors, which is a good thing.

Working at Scout camp makes you feel better about yourself

People feel better about themselves when they’re helping other people.

People also feel better about themselves when they’ve forged close bonds with other people.

Working at Scout camp can give you both of those things, plus much more.

Working at a BSA camp puts you at the epicenter of outdoor adventure

Anyone who’s ever visited a BSA high-adventure base or council-managed Scout camp will tell you about how it changed their lives.

Same goes for working at one of those locations.

You truly can’t beat the locations or adventures surrounding you when you set foot on one of these properties.

Click here to learn more about the benefits of working at a high-adventure base or BSA camp.

A Scout camp job is for people of all ages

A wide range of ages are encouraged to apply for jobs at BSA camps across the country.

Council camps often hire adults and youth older than 15. The BSA’s national high-adventure bases seek adult staff 18 years or older.

Even some retirees land jobs at Scout camp!

With more than 20,000 positions available, there’s probably a perfect fit for you. You could serve in a role like manning a ropes course with other trained adults. Or if you come from a medical background, you could be serving in a capacity that puts those skills to use.

How do I find a job at a Scout camp?

The Scout Life Job Board has you covered.

It’s designed to bring job hunters and Scout camps together to create one (or more!) meaningful summer job experiences.

Applicants can search for a job near them, or far away, whatever they prefer.

They can search by keywords, such as “aquatics” or “first aid” or “merit badges” or “ropes course.” They can also search by age and state.

Some job postings will have an email address applicants can use to get more information. Others might feature a link to the council’s own job page.

Click here to search the Scout Life Job Board. And be sure and check back over the coming weeks and months, as more jobs are being added all the time.

Scout executives, camp directors, or whoever is in charge of staffing should go to the “Post a Job” page here.


About Aaron Derr 498 Articles
Aaron Derr is the senior editor of Scout Life and Scouting magazines, and also a former Cubmaster and Scouts BSA volunteer.