Summer Camp Jobs UK:Frequently Asked Questions

Thinking about working at a summer camp in the UK? Here you’ll find answers to common questions about XUK summer camp jobs, including roles, age requirements, qualifications, pay, accommodation, food, working hours, interviews and applying for a job.

child getting their face painted at summer camp

We have lots of different summer camp jobs at our residential and day camps. Your interests, availability and experience should influence your decision. Some roles require specific qualifications. Please make sure you have read through the job descriptions.

Our camps are all around the UK. You can find out more about each venue by clicking on the links below. Day Camps - North London Residential Camps - Wiltshire

Yes, you can apply for a summer camp job even if you haven't worked with children before. We find the most important attributes from our staff are hard workers, resilience and being a fun / happy person. You will be assessed against people who have varying levels of qualifications and experience working with children.

You are both more than welcome to apply, however your applications will be assessed on an individual basis. If you are successful at an interview, we will place you at the camp we see as the best fit to your skills and personality.

Camp is all about making friends!

You must think about this carefully before applying, residential jobs are not for everyone! After training, camp gets busy quickly. The days are long and tiring, and you’ll be living alongside your fellow staff. Each week you will have a 24 hour period off. But our staff who return every year think “it’s the hardest job you’ll ever love!” To work on a residential camp you must be resilient, energetic, hard working, kind and love other peoples company!

Applications for XUK summer camp jobs open from November for our Day Camps and Residential Camps. The earlier you apply and attend an interview, the more positions we are likely to have available.

Definitely not! We have team members from all different backgrounds and ages, some are students, qualified teachers, sports coaches, nurses and parents. We even have staff returning who take annual leave from their full time jobs to return to camp each year because they love it so much! You must be 18 or over to work at XUK. We welcome applicants from different backgrounds, including students, qualified teachers, sports coaches, nurses and parents.

You must be 18 or over to work at XUK Camps. We have team members from a wide range of backgrounds, including university students, teachers, sports coaches, nurses and people returning to camp alongside their full-time careers.

It is vital that we know the dates that you can work and any events you must attend e.g. weddings and graduations when you apply. Most of the time we can work around this!

Afraid so! Over the training weekend, we go through how camp runs, safeguarding training, our policies and procedures and of course set up our camps. It is compulsory that you attend training and are ready for work for the duration of your contract.

It depends on the camp! For the residential, you will need to be available for a minimum of 2 weeks! Most contracts offered are 2-5 weeks. For Day Camps, you need to be available for a minimum of one week at Easter and for the full duration of the Summer camp.

No, you don't need formal qualifications for most XUK summer camp jobs. A passion for the XUK Philosophy, resilience, a strong team ethic and a can-do attitude are the most important qualities. Some specialist positions, including first aiders and EFL teachers, require relevant qualifications.

Yes, international applicants can apply, but you must have the legal right to work in the UK. You are responsible for arranging any visa or immigration permission required before starting work. XUK is unable to assist with visa applications. Check if you can work via the UK Government website

No. We ask all applicants to complete the XUK application form because it is a key part of our safer recruitment process. We do not accept CVs as a substitute for the application form.

A criminal record does not automatically mean that you cannot work at XUK, but some convictions can prevent someone from working with children. We recommend contacting us to discuss your circumstances. It is fundamental that applicants are open and honest with us. All successful applicants will need to complete a DBS as well as provide us with referees. Safeguarding our campers is always our priority.

You can indicate whether you would like to work at a day camp or residential camp when you apply, but XUK makes the final placement decision.

Yes. The only candidates we will interview online are potential English teachers who are presently teaching abroad. Everyone else must attend our group interviews. Managers may be asked to have a follow up interview, usually online, in addition to the group interview.

We will be in touch shortly to let you know whether you have been successful in gaining a place at our interview days.

You must let us know immediately. Please email [email protected] as soon as you can!

We normally hold our interviews in North London near Finchley Central Tube Station.

No. You'll need to finance travel to the interviews yourself.

XUK group interviews last around four hours. This gives you the opportunity to get to know us and us to get to know you!

We will provide you with XUK t-shirts. These must be worn on the first and last day of each week at day camps. On other days you wear sensible and practical clothing.

If you are working on a residential camp, you will wear your XUK t-shirt on changeover and trip days, and your own sensible and practical clothing the rest of the time.

We will go through a lot to prepare you as much as possible for the start of camp, including:

  • Safeguarding training
  • Policies and procedures
  • Day to day running of camp
  • Responsibilities
  • Activity training (applies to residential camps only)
  • Set up

Yes, residential summer camp jobs at XUK include onsite accommodation and three meals a day for the duration of the contract, including days off. Day camp staff arrange their own accommodation and bring a packed lunch.

You will need to make your own way to our day camps each day, XUK will not provide this for you.

If you are working at one of our residential camps, on the arrival day you can make your own way or hop on our coach departing from North London.

Residential camp staff accommodation can be either individual or shared. Rooms may be shared by 2-6 staff members, so you should expect to have a dorm buddy.

When you apply you will let us know your skill set and your strengths and weaknesses on the application form.

Team members working at our day camps will have a half an hour unpaid lunch break each day.

If you are working at our residential camps, you will have one continuous 24 hour period off each week alongside shorter breaks each day.

Pay depends on the role and camp. Residential roles currently pay from £690 per week, with accommodation and three meals a day provided. See our individual job pages for current rates for each position.

Yes. All wages are subject to Tax, National Insurance & Student loan contributions at the rate set by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) based on the information you give XUK before camp starts. All deductions will be shown clearly on your payslip.

XUK pays staff after their contract has finished, with the payment date specified in the contract. As a guide, if you work at our Easter day camp, you will be paid by the end of April and you'll be paid for summer work by the end of August.

If your contract is successful, you will be invited back – no need to interview again, You will need to complete an application though many of the answers / fields will be pre completed from the previous year.