How soon can I start looking for a camp job?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jan 8, 2015

You can try ACA or local scout camps/scout councils. Boy and Girl Scouts run their camps very differently. I prefer the Boy Scout camps I've been to)

Many camps are staffed in January & February so they know how many campers they can accept

CloudySue · Jan 9, 2015

It's never too early! Camps love to get their staffing filled early, and you'd get your pick of places. Start googling camps in the area you would like and message their hiring contact. Camps are looking for nurses sometimes up to the week of camp! One year I started my inquiries in mid May, and got 4 offers before the end of the day. I only can imagine what opportunities are out there with 5 months to go!

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Jan 9, 2015

The camp I nurse at had their schedules out last month.

blue bag nurse · Jan 9, 2015

Never too soon! Do you know what kind of camp you want? I made the mistake of posting my resume on the ACA website, years ago when I was just beginning to think about camp nursing and I was completely overwhelmed with the response I got. The very next day, I probably had 40 phone calls. I should have gone about it in the opposite way, but I really didn't know what I was doing and it was about 10 years ago. :)

If you haven't thought about that yet, look around and decide what sort of camp you want and then email them directly. The sooner the better!

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Jan 12, 2015

I used Camp Nurse, Camp Nurse Jobs, Camp Nursing

I was also surprised how quickly camps jump on nurses. I put out six resumes and within 24 hours had talked to four camps. The first one within 2 hours.

I I had to take careful notes and really consider the different offers.

My camp is ready to sign nurse contracts after January.

Roy Hanson · Jan 13, 2015

KISS! Start looking, NOW!! Oh, for you fragile bunch, KISS=Keep It Simple Stupid (Old school). Sometimes websites trolling is not the answer. In many cases, physical approach works. Go to the agency that is sponsoring the ad.

blue bag nurse · Jan 13, 2015

No wonder camps have a hard time finding nurses. That isn't how we work. We are smarter than that.

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Jan 14, 2015

I would recommend NOT going through an agency. Contact the camp directly. I didn't even bother with the online applications when I was applying. A quick resume and cover letter to the director not me an interview right away. If your lucky enough to be able to apply in person great however most of the time camp jobs are distance/travel gigs and your taking the job without actually seeing the place or meeting anyone in person.

This is how the camps I have worked with hire all the employees generally. As most of the cabin staff are from overseas.

Another bit of unsolicited advice is to always negotiate for salary or other perks. The first offer is always a low ball. Don't be afraid to push for more, because they aren't afraid to under pay you. As a rule camp nurses in my part of PA make between $75-$100 a day.

CampNurse1 · Jan 20, 2015

I always started recruiting the day after New Year's. It might help to read my article "Choosing a Camp." It's somewhere here on allnurses.com.

If y'all like, I will write an article on setting up your health center for the summer. If I get a couple of "yeas," I'll go ahead.

blue bag nurse · Jan 23, 2015

Yes! I'd love to read your article! I'll read anything. I've been a camp nurse for years, but I am always open to new ideas or suggestions and I love to hear how other nurses do things.

CampNurse1 · Jan 23, 2015

Another "must read" for all camp nurses, especially new ones, is Big Al's article at this link: https://allnurses.com/camp-nursing/10-camp-lessons-834613.html

Each one of his points could be a chapter in a book on camp nursing! Hey, Al! We could collaborate on a book. We'd sell at least 100 copies and get rich, lol.