I did an internship at a camp where the kids stayed for a week at a time. Horrible pay, long hours, gross "institutional" food, but it was one of the best experiences for me. I made great friends and learned a lot about myself. In fact, I met my best friend there (17 years ago?!). She lives in the Poconos and I'd be happy to ask her about a specific camp if you'd like.

The camp should provide a job description prior to hiring. There will probably be a list of background checks and safety training requirements. Check reviews online too. See what campers and parents have to say.

I say, "go for it!"

Just some other ideas.....if she's not so keen on working with kids, the national parks also have summer employment for college kids. Years and years ago my two friends worked at Yellowstone for the summer and had a blast. One even met her future husband! I would look at each park's website for info. When we were on Macinac Island our server at a restaurant had been hired for the summer crowd...same with Bar Harbor, Maine and other summer beach resorts.

No matter what she does, she will probably have fun meeting lots of college kids from all over.

Like any job, there should be specific reasons for why she wants to work there.

During my college years, I worked at a residential camp for the physically challenged. So, a camp environment, but with a population I was interested in learning more about.

Yes, the day is a long one with probably one day off a week.

Often these camps attract foreign students from around the world. This too makes for an interesting experience.

I agree with Joanie. There are many opportunities that can also tie into her interests as well as give her new skills.

Both my daughters worked in summer camps. One taught gymnastics, one worked at a Girl Scout camp.

What is your daughter's rational for working at a summer camp?

My kids have been going to a sleep away camp for the last 5 years. They just go for a week and when it's time to leave, they don't want to. They love it. Most of the same counselors are back year after year, so I guess that means they really enjoy the experience. I'm kind of hoping my oldest, who has aged out of the regular camp, will do the "counselor-in-training" camp this summer or next. I do have a "cyber" friend from the mid-west whose daughter came here to a camp in MD, having never been here before, as a counselor several years ago and had a fantastic experience. I can't answer your questions of what to ask or what to know though...sorry!

DD is having a Skype interview as I type. Hopefully it is going well, the phone interview went well.

She is an education major, specifically physical education/health & safety. She was a college athlete and will end up coaching. These skills makes her attractive to teach many different skills.

She worked at a camp that her university puts on for the underprivileged youth in our community last summer and could work there again this year. She has had friends that have done the camp counselor bit and is intrigued. DD is the "what the heck, let's give it a try so I can say I did it" type of kid. No regrets or why didn't i do that in her life.

Keep the comments coming!

Good for her, RN! She sounds like a camper at heart!

RN, your daughter sounds like a perfect camp counselor.

It is so important for kids to have positive role models and mentors. I work with high risk delinquent youth, and it is clear that the lack of those role models and experiences really negatively impacts them.

I hope she has a wonderful experience, and that she realizes the positive impact she's making, despite the low pay and long hours!

My daughter has children of her own now, but from the time she graduated high school until she got her college degree, she spent summers away at four different camps (and states!) and absolutely loved it! She started at a Girl Scout Camp only an hour away from our Maryland home and in the next years she went to Wisconsin, New Hampshire and New York State. She learned many skills and met many life-long friends. She went on to become a teacher, so she might have had that kind of stuff in her bones....

RN, I teach undergrads who are also in physical education, exercise science, college athletes, outdoor education minors, etc., and some of them work at summer camps. It's definitely a good natural fit for them. I've had a few kids work at MDA camp, which is usually only about a week in the summer, but they also go back year after year. Some of them work at sleep-away camps, but some of them work at sport-specific camps, too.