If you want to work in Canada for the summer, there are summer camps that hire international workers. Every summer, Canadian camps hire staff from around the world by using a summer camp placement agency or hiring directly. Summer camps offer a chance to work and live in Canada, free room and board for the season, and so much more. Instead of spending hours searching for camps on google, this post will provide you with 14 camps and 6 camp placement agencies to help you find a summer camp job in Canada.
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FAQs About Working at a Summer Camp in Canada
When is Canada’s summer camp season?
In Canada, the summer camp season starts in June and ends in late-August. Staff arrive before camp opens in order to complete pre-camp training and some staff will arrive even earlier in order to complete specialty qualifications. This means it’s possible for staff to begin work in late-May/early-June. Summer camps look to hire staff who can work the full camp season.
Who is elegible to work at a summer camp in Canada?
Canadian summer camps hire international workers who are over the age of 18 (with some exceptions for age 17) and can obtain a valid work visa or work permit. Other eligibility will vary depending on the specific job you are applying for. The majority of jobs require little to no experience because most summer camps train and certify their staff members for the job.
How do you find a job working at a summer camp in Canada?
You can find and apply to summer camp jobs by directly applying to work at the camp via their career page, or by using a job placement agency. This post lists 14 camps you can directly apply to and 6 agencies you can use to find work.
What are the benefits of applying directly to a summer camp in Canada?
Applying directly to the camp means you can pursue a job you want at the camp you want and not only choose form the camps an agency offer you. If you apply directly to the summer camp, you are cutting out the middle man (meaning the placement agency). This means no application/placement fees for third party assistance and the money you earn at camp goes directly into your bank account.
What are the benefits of using a placement agency to find a summer camp job in Canada?
Lots of people prefer the safety and assistance provided by a placement agency. A placement agency can offer peace of mind because they can support you in getting the proper VISA documents, connect you with employers, edit your CV, ensure you are getting paid, are on call if anything happens in country, etc… There are also many camps that only hire international staff via a placement agency, thus an agency may be able to connect you with more camps.
Summer Camps in Canada that Hire International Staff
All camps listed below mention that they directly hire international staff or allow you to apply from another country via their staff applications. Camps who only hire international staff through a placement agency have not been included.
Camp Arowhon
Province: Ontario
Eligibility: Ages 16/17+ depending on job
Length: Mid-June through mid-August
What’s Provided: Room & board, food, laundry, and salary.
Notes: Their international staff come from the USA, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico.
Camp Tamakwa
Province: Ontario
Eligibility: Age depends on position you are apply for, minimum age is 17.
Length: June through August
What’s Provided: Accommodation and food (work wages not stated).
Notes: There is no ‘international staff’ page but their FAQs mention staff from around the world.
Camp Qwanoes
Province: British Columbia
Eligibility: Most positions are ages 18+. .
Length: Mid-June through late-September with some trainings beginning in May.
What’s Provided: Room & board, all meals, snacks, transportation to the city, possible travel/living reimbursement (work wages not stated).
Notes: This is a religious Christian camp.
Camp Walden
Province: Ontario
Eligibility: May vary depending on job applying for.
Length: Mid-June through mid-August
What’s Provided: Room & board, meals, and compensation.
North Waters
Province: Ontario
Eligibility: May vary depending on job applying for.
Length: June through August
What’s Provided: Room & board, meals, and compensation.
Notes: There is no ‘international staff’ page, but their current staff are mainly from Canada and the USA.
Camp White Pines
Province: Ontario
Eligibility: Ages 18-30 , or 18-35 for citizens from Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, and Switzerland.
Length: Late-June through early August.
What’s Provided: Room & board, food, buses to and from town, and compensation.
Notes: This is a Jewish camp.
Camp Kodiak
Province: Ontario
Eligibility: Unknown
Length: Late-June through mid-August.
What’s Provided: Room & board, meals, laundry, and salary.
Notes: This camp does not have an ‘international staff’ page but shows international staff on their videos.
Camp Couchiching
Province: Ontario
Eligibility: Ages 17+
Length: Late-June – early August.
What’s Provided: Room & board, food, working wages, and possible end of season bonus.
Canadian Adventure Camp
Province: Ontario
Eligibility: Ages 19+
Length: Late-June through late-August.
What’s Provided: Accommodation and food (work wages not stated).
Camp Wabikon
Province: Ontario
Eligibility: Ages 18+
Length: Late-June through August
What’s Provided: Accommodation and food (work wages not stated).
Notes: Staff application allows you to apply from countries outside of Canada.
Camp B’nai Brith
Province: Quebec
Eligibility: Not stated
Length: Mid-June through mid-August.
What’s Provided: Accommodation and food (work wages not stated).
Notes: This is a Jewish camp.
Camp Evergreen
Province: Alberta
Eligibility: Ages 16+
Length: May through August with winter placements available.
What’s Provided: Room & board (paid & volunteer position available).
Notes: This is a Christian camp. The staff pages does not mention international staff. However, in the application you can apply from the following countries: Canada, USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, France, Germany, Hong Kong, and Qatar.
Camp Seggie
Province: Prince Edward Island
Eligibility: Ages 16+
Length: End of June through August.
What’s Provided: Not listed on website.
Notes: This is a non-profit Christian camp. No mention of international staff, but the application lets you apply if you are from Canada or the USA.
Intervarsity
Location: Camps across Canada (link brings you to the British Columbia page).
Eligibility: Ages 18+, be proficient in English, and have a strong faith in Jesus.
Length: Summer, exact length unknown.
What’s Provided: Not directly listed on website.
Notes: This is a religious Christian camp. Their international staff are referred to as ‘volunteers’ so you may not be receiving a working wage.
Placement Agencies to Find Summer Camp Jobs in Canada
The placement agencies/work programs listed below are third party companies that charge a fee to place you in a summer camp job in Canada. The program fees/costs and what is included are always changing so be sure to check into what is currently on offer before choosing a program and/or signing a contract.
Camp Canada
Location(s): Across Canada.
Eligibility: Ages 19-30, are currently a student or intending to study within one year of your travels, and be a citizen of a visa-exempt country.
Length: 8-10 weeks.
What’s Provided: Guaranteed placement, food, accommodation, $1600 CAD in work wages, 24hr emergency support, health insurance, orientation, support with travel, visa application, bank account, and more.
Program Cost: There are no initial “program fees”. Fees are taken from your pay check after you have a job at a summer camp in Canada.
International Camps Network
Location(s): Across Canada.
Eligibility: Ages 18-29, from one of the 50+ listed countries found on their website, and fluent in English.
Length: Minimum of 8 weeks, June through September.
What’s Provided: Guaranteed placement, one week of training, room & board, 24hr emergency support, visa assistance, and transportation to camp.
Program Cost: There are no initial “program fees”. Fees are taken from your pay check after you have a job at a summer camp in Canada.
CCUSA
Location(s): Across Canada (They also have USA and other international placements).
Eligibility: Ages 18+ and fluent in English.
Length: 8-10 weeks.
What’s Provided: Guaranteed placement, room & board, food, health insurance, $2,000-$2,500 CAD in work wages, 24hr emergency support, and VISA assistance.
Program Cost: Ranges upwards of $545 in application, acceptance and program fees.
Americamp: Canada
Location(s): Across Canada and the USA
Eligibility: Ages 18+ and from a visa exempt country.
Length: 8-10 weeks.
What’s Provided: Guaranteed placement, all meals, accommodation, medical insurance, 24hr help line, assistance with work permit or visa, flight assistance, and $1600-$1900 CAD in work wages.
Program Cost: Between £309-£329 before starting work.
Notes: This company was made for summer camp work in the USA but offers placements in Canada.
USIT Camp Canada
Location(s): Across Canada.
Eligibility: Ages 18-27 and from one of the 30 countries that have a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada.
Length: 8-10 weeks.
What’s Provided: Guaranteed placement, $1400 CAD minimum in work wages, room & board, insurance, transportation to camp, and a police certificate.
Program Cost: Starts at €459.
Nyquest
Location(s): Across Canada, but mainly Ontario.
Eligibility: Ages 18+.
Length: June through August with a possibility of ending in Sept/Oct.
What’s Provided: Job placement, room & board, visa support, 24hr emergency support, health insurance, pocket money, and more.
Program Cost: £49 program deposit, refunded upon job acceptance, but no other listed up front program fees.
Conclusion
There are many summer camps across Canada that hire international staff. While some hire their staff through a placement agency, there are a lot that you can directly apply to. Hopefully this list will help you find a summer camp job in Canada. Have worked at a summer camp in Canada? Have used one of the agencies on this list? Please share your experience in the comments below!