17 Camp Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Summer camps are a great place for kids to learn new skills, make friends, and have fun. But the person who makes sure all of those activities happen is the camp manager. This position requires a lot of responsibility and a lot of skills.

If you’re thinking about becoming a camp manager, you need to be prepared to answer interview questions about your experience working with kids, your leadership skills, and your knowledge of different activities. You also need to be able to talk about your organizational skills and how you handle difficult situations.

In this guide, we’ll give you tips on how to answer interview questions for a camp manager position. We’ll also provide you with a list of questions that you may be asked in an interview.

Are you familiar with the area where you’ll be working?

Camps are often located in remote areas, so it’s important that the camp manager is familiar with the area. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to get around and where to find things like grocery stores or gas stations. In your answer, explain that you have already looked up directions to the camp and researched what the surrounding area has to offer.

Example: “I am very excited about working at Camp Adventure because I have always wanted to visit there. When I was looking for jobs, I found out that the camp was hiring a camp manager, so I applied right away. After doing some research on the camp, I learned that it is only an hour from my hometown. I also discovered that there are plenty of fun places to visit nearby, including hiking trails and lakes.”

What are some of the most important skills you have for this job?

Camp managers need to be highly organized and have excellent communication skills. They also need to be able to work well under pressure, as they are often responsible for the safety of many children at once. When answering this question, make sure you highlight your organizational and time management skills, along with any other relevant skills that may help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I think my ability to multitask is one of my most important skills. I am always able to keep track of multiple projects at once while still meeting deadlines. Another skill I feel is essential for this job is my leadership abilities. As a camp manager, I would be responsible for leading a team of employees who are all working toward the same goal. I believe I can motivate others and inspire them to do their best work.”

How would you handle a situation where a camper is upset?

Camps often have many children and teenagers in close proximity, which can lead to conflict. An interviewer may ask this question to assess your conflict resolution skills. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you are able to empathize with the camper while also maintaining authority.

Example: “I would first make sure I understood why they were upset. Then, I would talk to them privately and listen to their concerns. If it was a minor issue, I might be able to resolve it by talking to the child or teenager. For more serious issues, I would call for backup from my staff so we could address the situation as a group. I would then follow up with each camper individually to ensure they felt safe and supported.”

What is your experience working with children?

Camp managers need to be able to work with children and understand their needs. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with kids and can relate to them. In your answer, share a story about how you worked with children in the past. Explain what challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Example: “I’ve been working with children for over ten years now. I started out as a teacher’s aide at my local elementary school. I loved being around the kids so much that I decided to pursue teaching as a career. I graduated from college with a degree in education and went on to teach fifth grade for five years. Now, I’m ready for a new challenge.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision.

Camp managers often have to make tough decisions, such as which activities to cancel due to inclement weather or how to handle a conflict between two campers. An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your decision-making skills and how you handled the situation. In your answer, try to explain what steps you took to reach a solution that benefited everyone involved.

Example: “At my previous job, I had to decide whether to cancel an outdoor activity because of rain. The kids were really looking forward to it, but we also didn’t want them to get sick from being outside in the rain all day. Ultimately, I decided to move the activity inside so they could still enjoy themselves without getting wet. We set up some fun games for them to play indoors while waiting out the storm.”

If you could bring one item with you to the camp, what would it be?

Camp managers often have to travel between camps, so the interviewer wants to know if you’re prepared for this. Your answer should show that you are organized and can plan ahead.

Example: “If I could bring one item with me to camp, it would be my planner. I always keep a planner on hand because it helps me stay organized and makes sure I don’t forget anything when traveling from camp to camp. It also allows me to make notes about what worked well at each camp and what didn’t work as well.”

What would you do if you were short on staff members?

Camps often have peak times when they need to hire additional staff members. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle hiring new employees and training them quickly. In your answer, explain how you would find the right people for the job and get them up to speed as fast as possible.

Example: “I would first look at our current staff to see who is available to work more hours. If we still needed more help, I would reach out to local colleges and organizations to find qualified candidates. Then, I would schedule a time to meet with all of the potential hires so that I could interview them and decide which ones were best suited for the job. After making my decision, I would train them on their specific duties and give them plenty of one-on-one attention.”

How well do you deal with stress?

Camp managers often have to deal with a lot of stress. They are responsible for the safety and well-being of campers, as well as ensuring that all activities run smoothly. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle stressful situations. In your answer, explain how you manage stress in your life. Share some strategies you use to stay calm and focused when things get hectic.

Example: “I am very good at managing stress. I find that taking deep breaths helps me relax and refocus my attention on what needs to be done. When I was working as an assistant camp manager, I had to take over for the camp director one day when she got sick. There were many children who needed to be picked up from various locations around the campground. I took a few moments to breathe deeply and then organized everyone into groups by location. This helped me keep everything under control.”

Do you have any questions for us about the position?

This is your chance to show the interviewer that you’re interested in the job and want to learn more about it. It’s also a great time to ask any questions you have about the camp, such as its location or policies.

Example: “I’m very excited about this position because I love working with children and am passionate about helping them grow and develop. I do have one question for you, though. What are some of the challenges of being a camp manager? I know there will be challenges, but I’m hoping to hear what they might be so I can prepare myself.”

When would you be available to start?

Employers may ask this question to see if you are available for the start of camp. They want someone who can get started right away and be a part of their team from day one. When answering, make sure you give them your availability as soon as possible. If you have other obligations that might prevent you from starting on time, let them know about those too so they can find another candidate.

Example: “I would love to start at the beginning of summer camp. I am free of any other commitments during that time, so I could devote all my attention to the job. If there is an emergency situation where I need to leave early or take some time off, I will do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of the children.”

We want campers to have fun while also learning new skills. What activities would you include in a day’s schedule?

Campers often have a lot of fun while also learning new skills. The hiring manager wants to know that you can create an engaging schedule for the campers and ensure they are having fun while still developing important life skills. In your answer, explain what activities you would include in a typical day at camp and why those activities will help develop the campers’ skills.

Example: “I think it is important to balance fun with skill-building activities. For example, I would start each day with a morning activity where we sing songs and do some basic exercises. Then, we would move on to our first lesson of the day, which could be about teamwork or something similar. After lunch, we would play games like capture the flag or soccer. This would give them a chance to burn off energy before their next lesson. We would end the day with another fun activity, such as a talent show or movie night.”

Describe your leadership style.

Camp managers need to be strong leaders. Employers ask this question to learn more about your leadership style and how you would lead their team of camp counselors. To answer this question, think about the different leadership styles you’ve seen in action. Choose one that best describes your own approach to leading a group.

Example: “I believe my leadership style is democratic. I like to make sure everyone on our team has an equal voice when it comes to making decisions. However, I also understand that sometimes we have to make unpopular choices for the good of the camp. In those situations, I try to explain why we’re making these decisions so everyone understands. This helps them feel included in the decision-making process.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel about the job. Before your interview, make a list of all your skills and experiences that relate to camp management. Focus on what makes you unique from other candidates.

Example: “I am passionate about working with children and have been in the childcare industry for five years now. I love being able to see kids grow and develop new skills while having fun at camp. I also understand the importance of safety and security when it comes to managing a summer camp. My background as a lifeguard has given me valuable experience in emergency situations.”

Which camp programs have you worked with in the past?

Camp programs are the activities that campers participate in during their stay. These can include sports, arts and crafts or outdoor excursions. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the types of programs they offer at their camp. In your answer, share which programs you’ve worked with in the past and how well you performed in those roles.

Example: “In my previous role as a camp manager, I oversaw all aspects of the program offerings. This included hiring coaches for each sport, finding instructors for arts and crafts and planning fun field trips for the kids. I also ensured we had enough supplies on hand for each activity and scheduled staff members to help out where needed.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of camp management?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you understand the role of a camp manager and how it impacts the success of their organization. When answering this question, consider what skills you have that would help you succeed in this position.

Example: “I think communication is the most important aspect of camp management because it allows me to keep my team informed about all aspects of our program. I always make sure to communicate with staff members regularly so they know what’s expected of them and when changes will occur. This helps ensure everyone has the information they need to do their job well.”

How often do you update camp schedules?

Camp schedules are an important part of the camp manager’s job. The interviewer wants to know how often you update your schedule and if you have any special methods for doing so. Your answer should include a specific example of when you updated your schedule and what steps you took to do so.

Example: “I update my camp schedule every week, usually on Mondays or Tuesdays. I start by looking at the previous week’s attendance records and making notes about which activities were most popular with kids and which ones they didn’t attend as much. Then I look at the upcoming week’s lesson plans and decide which activities would be best to pair with them. Finally, I make sure that all staff members have access to the schedule and can see their own assignments.”

There is a bug problem in the camp cabins. What would you do to resolve the issue?

Camps often have a variety of insects and bugs that can be harmful to the campers. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle this situation in case it ever occurred at their camp. Use your answer to show them that you are proactive, detail-oriented and able to solve problems quickly.

Example: “I would first inspect all of the cabins for any signs of an infestation. If I found evidence of a bug problem, I would immediately call pest control to come out and treat the area. After they left, I would thoroughly clean the cabin and make sure there were no more bugs or pests before allowing campers back into the cabin.”