Counselor In Training


For former campers! Join our team as a counselor in training.

english camp jobs

Counselor in training

An opportunity for our campers to join the staff team


Every year our campers ask us - "can I join the camp team when I'm older?"


The answer is yes. Our counsellor in training program is your chance to join the staff team and help make our camps just as much fun for future campers as they were for you.


What is it?


The idea of our counselor in training (CIT) program comes from our older campers especially those who have been with us for many seasons wanting an opportunity to still be part of the FOKUS camps program.


This is a voluntary program which will allow them to do just that while gaining valuable work experience. Our counselors in training will not be expected to teach the English lessons (although we may ask them to help.) A (CITs) main tasks will be to help bring the energy, fun, and organization of a normal FOKUS camp as well as be responsible, help care for and be a friend to our younger campers.


Counsellor in training Profile


  • Attended a minimum of 2 camps at Fokus camps as camper
  • At least 17 years old (We will consider 16 year olds as well.)
  • High English level
  • Enthusiastic, energetic, fun, outgoing, responsible.
  • Enjoy working with kids.


Fokus Camps offer


  • The best summer job – Working at FOKUS camps is almost as much fun as being a camper.
  • Continue improving your English - You will be part of our international team and will be using your English from good morning to good night.
  • Gain work experience and develop your teaching, childcare, and coaching
  • A comprehensive training before camp begins (mandatory)
  • Free room & board for the duration of your stay in camp
  • A reference upon completion of the camp program
  • Friends for life - One of the coolest things about working at FOKUS camps is the opportunity to meet and work with awesome people from all over the world.
  • The potential to progress into a full Camp counsellor in following years.


Junior Camp guide responsibilities


  • Helping to prepare, organize and run camp activities
  • Helping camp counsellors with taking care of the general well-being of the campers.


Application process and important information


  • This is an exclusive program – spaces for this position are very limited
  • Once you apply – we will consider your application and invite you for a formal interview
  • The job experience is 2 weeks or longer (Normally the first two weeks of August)
  • Camp guide training is mandatory (we will send you details.)



Apply Here

Counselor in training FAQs

  • What does a CIT's day look like? Do I have to teach English lessons?

    Our camp day is always full – and for our counsellors in training it’s the same. You will be helping to setup, run, and contribute to all parts of the camp week.  A big part of your job is to be awesome, friendly, fun, and caring with the campers you work with. You will not need to teach the English lessons although we may ask you to join as an assistant. 

  • What dates do I need to be available for?

    We will ask you to work for a minimum of 2 weeks of camp, starting on the first week of summer holidays in Bavaria or Hessen. You will need to attend training along with the other camp staff which takes place in Munich a few days before the start of camp. We will let you know all the details if you are offered the position. 

  • What can I look forward to at camp?

    Being part of the team at FOKUS camps is a lot of work but also so much fun! You probably know from your experience as a camper – camp is all about having a great time! This counts for the staff as well, of course with more responsibilities. 


    One of the best things is also the staff team – in each camp your fellow workers will be a team of enthusiastic and fun international young people! Every year, the camp staff make lots of international friends, and a lot of those friendships last much longer than camp. 


    For exact dates check under the camps tab. 

  • Where do the staff come from?

    Our CITs mostly come from Germany and Austria and are 17-19 years old. 


    Our other staff come from all over the world from English speaking countries. Most of them are from 19 - 30 years old. 


    Last year we had staff come from: England, Ireland, Scotland, America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa


  • Which locations would I be working at/ how do I get there?

    We will have counselors in training at our biggest locations – like Chiemsee, Bodensee, Ammersee, and Hintersee. Once you are accepted you will just need to get to training. From there we will organise your arrival to camp. 

  • Do I have to share a room with the campers?

    No, you are a full member of the staff team, and as such you will share a room with some of the other camp guides. 


  • I have more questions what should I do?

    Relax :)


    We are used to hiring people from around the world. Everything will be explained in the application process. But if theres something you really need to know before you apply just send us an email.


    staff@fokuscamps.com

Meet some of our 2022 camp team :)

What our staff say!


You can read more reviews from our staff on google reviews HERE

Craig (UK)

I started working at Fokus Camps in the summer of 2018. This was my first time in Germany teaching English, and my experience was so exciting and fun I decided to return in 2019!

Camp provides a great opportunity to have fun in your job. The locations always provide stunning scenery and a great range of fun activities, not only for the kids, but also as a camp guide.

The kids are always great fun, with each camp building great memories that stick with you. Working with other camp guides creates a great team spirit, that also allows you to make friendships that last beyond the camp.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys working with kids, or fancies switching it up for the summer. For me, this experience would not have happened had I not pushed myself to try something new, and going back shows how much fun I have when I am there!

Not only that, the job also offers you room to progress, meaning you can become a future camp leader- like myself. The opportunities and fun is 100% worth it, I cannot express that enough. 

So if you are thinking of working here, I would totally recommend it. You never know what roles are out there that you would never realise you enjoy until you give it a go!

I look forward to working at Fokus Camps again this summer!
Amber (USA)

Being a camp guide for FOKUS Camps has been such a great experience for me. It reaffirmed my desire to work with children in my career, but also did so in a fun, non-stressful environment. We have such a great support system and many easy-to-follow ciricculums that are extremely helpful when you're having "teacher's block". The activities we have here are so fun it honestly feels like YOU are on vacation! 

The relationships you build with the kids are so meaningful and one-of-a-kind. There was a camper in my class that really loved my riddles and never wanted me to tell him the answer until he figured it out for himself, I later heard from a friend that worked at a different camp that he was telling my riddles to the other kids at this other camp! It meant so much to me hearing that,  knowing that I made a lasting impact on him. 

Working at FOKUS is such a special experience for the campers and the guides, especially since we're in such beautiful locations! I would highly recommend working FOKUS Camps if you're looking to gain teaching experience in a supportive and breathtaking environment!

Jenna (USA)


Working as a camp guide for FOKUS was a lot of fun and a great experience. The weeks were filled with so many awesome activities from running around with water guns, to dancing in the disco - we did pretty much everything. It was a very welcoming and relaxed atmosphere to work in even though there was always something going on. I felt very well taken care of and was able to ask questions both before and during camp. I knew what to do and never felt overwhelmed. With the 7:1 ratio, it was possible to actually get to know each camper on a personal level as well, which was really fulfilling. It wasn’t just a big anonymous group of kids that way.


Overall, I gained a lot from being a camp guide. By watching the camp leaders, I learned about positive leadership and how to lead myself, not only with the kids directly but also as a life skill.By working in a close knit team like that, I learned the value of communication and what good teamwork is supposed to look like.  


Most importantly though, I made some really close friends from all over the world, that I’m still in contact with today. Camp was just as fun for the staff as it was for the kids! My team, the kids, the staff and the activities definitely made it "the best job ever."


Garry (Ireland)


I remember my first week at the summer school well. I was a mixture of nervous and excited after the first training session. Mainly this was due to how varied the skills I had to develop were. By the end of the week I had completely forgotten my worries. I was climbing through a “Kletterwald” obstacle course being cheered on by my students, thinking to myself “Haha I’m being paid for this.”


The summer camp involves a lot of different tasks which keeps things entertaining and continually improves your leadership skills and lesson planning ability. Additionally you get better at a plethora of other competencies from sport ability to theatre proficiency and maybe even winning that intense water gun fights against your neighbor’s class. The great thing about camp is that you see the results of your work very quickly. By the end of the week children will be using the language and skills you taught them and it’s very rewarding to see. In general, you get to live quite a healthy and fun lifestyle at camp: lots of hiking, sports, fresh air, interesting activities and nature to the point that you honestly often forget that you are being paid!


All of us were nervous before coming over but just do it. The training will cover everything you need to know and you will have an amazing time!