Keywords

camp staff employment, workforce readiness, youth skill development

Abstract

For many young people, serving as a summer camp staff member can be an entry point into the labor market as well as a valuable job skill-building experience. These camp staff jobs can vary widely by title and expectations but often have one thing in common- the young staff member is often responsible for the safety and well-being of younger children often in their care 24 hours a day for weeks at a time. At a time when employers express concern regarding the workplace readiness of the emerging workforce (Jackson, 2010), camp-based employment, which includes a wide range of positions filled by adolescents and emerging adults every summer, is a largely unrecognized context for effective workforce development.

Original Publication Citation

Duerden, M. D. (2012). Workforce skill development in camps. American Camp Association Briefing Papers. Retrieved from http://www.acacamps.org/sites/default/files/images/research/connect/documents/Workforce%20Development%20Briefing.pdf