Sample Cover Letter for a Summer Camp Job or RA Position

Highlighting Your Areas of Expertise

Counselors giving instructions to kids at camp
Thomas Barwick / Getty Images
By Alison Doyle
Updated on 11/29/19

Camp jobs can be a great way for college students to earn some extra cash during summer vacation, especially if you're good with children and love being outdoors. During the school year, a position as a Resident Assistant may help cover your tuition costs and give you a steady paycheck while completing your degree. Whether you're applying for a summer job at a camp or for an RA job at a college, you can grab your reader's attention with your cover letter by highlighting the relevant qualifications and areas of expertise you've gained during your high school and college years. Providing detailed descriptions of your experience in working with children and teens will help you to stand out from your competition and ensure that your resume is given a serious review.

What to Include in Your Letter

Your cover lettershould be perfectly written, with no misspellings or grammatical errors. Include these elements in your letter:

  • Personal camping or Counselor-in-Training (CIT) experience
  • Academic background
  • Experience with children, both in your studies and volunteer work
  • Tutoring or mentoring experience
  • Babysitting or nanny experience
  • Coaching work (field sports like soccer, court sports like tennis or basketball, swimming, hiking, rock wall climbing, water sports like kayaking or canoeing)
  • Internships
  • Relevant skills (such as First Aid or CPR certification, knowledge of arts and crafts, food handling and safety, lifeguard experience, communications, leadership, team building, storytelling, music or singing capability, games development, activities coordination)

Sample Email Cover Letter for a Summer Camp or RA Job

This is an example of a cover letter for a summer camp job or RA position. Download the cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Screenshot of a sample cover letter for a summer camp job or RA position
©TheBalance 2018

Sample Email Cover Letter for a Summer Camp or RA Job (Text Version)

Katrina Kelsey
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-555-5555
kkelsey@sagamore.edu 

September 1, 2018

Janis Pearson
Director, Human Resources
Sagamore College 
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

Dear Ms. Pearson,

I am interested in the Assistant Youth Coordinator position as listed on the Sagamore College Career Link. I am a sophomore at Sagamore College studying English and Psychology with a Spanish minor. I have extensive experience working with children in both academic and recreational environments, so I would be eager to contribute my skills to the Boston Children’s Summer Camp Learning Enrichment Program.

Most recently, I was involved with the Sagamore College After School program where I tutored urban youth in the Language Arts and Sciences. Working with underserved children through this program was an enriching experience, and I would love to continue with that type of work this summer with Boston Children’s Summer Camp Learning Enrichment Program. I also have experience as a nanny for two elementary school-aged children. My primary responsibilities in this role included tutoring and homework help, as well as developing educational games.

During the summer, I planned daily outings and scheduled activities, entertaining the kids throughout the day. I did similar work as a summer volunteer at Sagamore Child Care Center, where I played with children, implemented indoor activities, and chaperoned field trips. Consequently, I developed a strong sense of patience and a keen awareness of how to interact engagingly with children, two skills that are relevant to your position. 

The Assistant Youth Coordinator position sounds like a wonderful opportunity, and I am eager to be involved! I absolutely love working with children, and have a passion for tutoring, too, so it’s certainly a job in which I would excel. I believe the children would benefit from my background and enthusiasm. Thank you so much for your consideration; please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Katrina Kelsey