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Every summer about 150 high school and college students go to work for the city of Stamford as camp counselors and lifeguards. Teens and young adults fill many of these positions, although the city is looking for the most qualified candidates regardless of age.
To be a camp counselor, you must have experience working with children, whether from babysitting, teaching or volunteer service. Also, it helps if you worked at one of the seven city camps in previous years and have been asked back by Stamford Recreation Services.
Were open to hiring the best possible candidates we can get our hands on, Scott Kassouf, assistant superintendent of recreation services, said of the camp counselor positions.
It is tougher to become a lifeguard in Stamford because you must earn numerous certifications from the American Red Cross as well as pass swimming tests. The test requires swimming the equivalent of 22 laps without stopping in less than 12 minutes.
If you cant do that you, shouldnt be a lifeguard anyway, Assistant Superintendent of Stamford Recreation Scott Beauregard said. Good athletes usually finish in the allotted time, and competitive swimmers can complete it in about half the time, Beauregard said.
Although high school and college students fill a majority of the jobs, a few adults are hired, too. Kassouf picks adults often teachers to serve as camp directors, instructors and special education paraprofessionals at each campsite. The lifeguards this summer range in age from about 16 to 27. The older lifeguards are often graduate students and teachers who have worked for the city for many years.
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