What Is It Like Teaching Watersports at a Summer Camp in America?
If you love being outdoors, spending time on the water, and working with children, teaching watersports at a summer camp in America could be one of the most rewarding ways to spend your summer.
In this video, Camp America participants share their experiences teaching activities such as sailing, kayaking, and other waterfront sports while living and working at camp in the USA.
Do You Need Experience to Teach Watersports?
Not always.
Many participants arrive at camp with experience in watersports, while others develop new skills through training and hands-on experience during the summer.
One participant explains that they had never taught sailing before arriving at camp. Through working with children and learning from experienced staff, they gained new skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of how to teach and support young people.
More Than Just Watersports
Teaching watersports isn't only about being on the water.
Participants spend their days helping children learn new skills, build confidence, overcome challenges, and enjoy activities they may never have tried before. Many describe the role as a balance between instructor, mentor, role model, and friend.
Learning how to support children, create structure, and make activities fun are all valuable skills that participants take home long after summer ends.
Building Confidence Through Camp
One of the biggest themes in this video is personal growth.
Participants talk about becoming more confident, independent, and capable through their camp experience. Living in a new country, taking on responsibility, and teaching children every day helps many staff discover strengths they didn't know they had.
For some, camp becomes a transformative experience that changes how they see themselves and what they're capable of achieving.
Life on the Waterfront
Working on the waterfront means spending your days surrounded by nature and some of America's most beautiful outdoor locations.
From lakes and forests to mountains and open water, many participants describe camp as an opportunity to disconnect from everyday life and spend their summer outdoors doing something meaningful.
The Friendships You Make at Camp
Beyond the activities, participants often say the people are what make camp unforgettable.
Living and working alongside staff from different countries creates strong friendships and a supportive community. Many participants make lifelong friends and continue travelling together after camp ends.
Why Work at a Watersports Camp?
Participants often gain:
- Leadership and teaching experience
- Confidence and independence
- New watersports skills
- Experience working with children
- Lifelong friendships from around the world
- Time outdoors in incredible locations
- Valuable transferable skills for future careers
- The opportunity to travel around the USA
Thinking About Teaching Watersports at Camp?
Whether you're passionate about sailing, kayaking, paddle sports, or simply love being outdoors, working at a summer camp in America offers an opportunity to challenge yourself, develop new skills, and spend a summer doing something unforgettable.
Watch the video to hear directly from participants and discover why teaching watersports at camp is about so much more than being on the water.
