Gymnastics Being a gymnastics counsellor on Summer Camp USA combines the responsibilities of teaching a gymnastics programme with being a camp counsellor. It is a fun and rewarding, yet challenging way to spend the summer, teaching a sport you love while enhancing your skills!

As a gymnastics counsellor, you must be motivated, hard-working and safety conscious, as well as being confident in teaching gymnastics. Stamina is also important; counsellors often teach for several hours a day.as well as having cabin duties.

Gymnastics at camps

Camp gymnastics programmes vary considerably from camp to camp but generally campers are grouped according to age and skill levels. Counsellors work with the children during the summer to develop their skills and enhance their knowledge of all elements of the sport. Working with colleagues, you may have a group of up to twenty kids at any one time, generally working in hourly activity periods.

Some sports camps also organise gymnastics teams and talented campers will try out to represent their camp in inter-camp gym meets and competitions. You may be involved in coaching the team to improve on their skills!

What are the facilities and accommodation like?

Gymnastics facilities range from a basic dance hall with mats for floor work, to a fully equipped gymnasium with a spring floor and the latest equipment for both floor and element work. A large number of sports camps run a gymnastics programme and offer teaching according to the campers’ abilities and the length of time they are at camp.

When not teaching your activity, you will be involved in general camp activities and responsibilities. Counsellors live in a bunk with children and other counsellors and are responsible for the wellbeing of the campers and their daily needs.

What are camps looking for?

Camps are looking for counsellors who are responsible, enthusiastic and motivated to teach children in a fun, yet ultra safe way. You must be hard-working, safety conscious and confident in teaching differing levels of ability. You should also be knowledgeable about the principles of gymnastics and be able to pass your experience on in a fun and safe way that children will enjoy.

What experience or qualifications are required?

First and foremost all camp counsellors need to have experience of working with children in a leadership position. Gymnastics instructors will also have a passion for their sport and a desire to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with the kids. Good personal levels of achievement in gymnastics are also necessary.

A coaching qualification (UKCC, BAGA or equivalent) is really essential. Recent country, university or club representation helps too.

Camps are looking for staff members who have worked in a similar role before. Therefore, Gymnastics applicants should have previous teaching (or assistant teaching) experience in gymnastics with children.

If you have any questions please email us camps@bunac.org.uk or call the team on 020 7251 3448.

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