Camp Counselor English 1

General English vocabulary exercise for summer camp counselors — the key terms of camp life.

Vocabulary in context

Summer camp runs on communication — between counselors, between staff and campers, and between staff and parents who expect their children to come home safe, happy, and having had the time of their lives. The vocabulary in this exercise covers the full range of what that actually involves: organising activities, managing cabin dynamics, handling homesickness, reporting incidents, and keeping a group of excited, exhausted kids moving in the same direction. English-speaking camps use a specific shorthand that can feel like a foreign language at first — bunk assignments, color wars, free swim, flag raising — but once you have it, you feel like part of the team rather than someone still catching up. This exercise gives you that vocabulary before you need it on the job.

Ready to practice? Let's go!

Fill in each blank with the correct word. If both words can be used, choose the one that sounds more natural in each situation.

1. We will (kick/kiss)-off (= start) the event next week.

2. Make sure you let me or another staff (member/man) know if you need help.

3. The (dine/dining) hall is behind those trees.

4. We're planning a relay (race/racing) for tomorrow afternoon.

5. The (theme/object) of the night will be "ghosts and goblins".

6. Let's meet back here in case of a (thunder/thunderstorm).

7. I'd like to tell you about the (activities/equipment) we have planned for this weekend.

8. I'm pretty (secure/sure) you're going to love this!

9. My friend Robert was (placed/pleased) (= assigned to work) at another camp.

10. Steve has been the camp (director/direction) since 2015.

11. Some of the (outdoor/out of doors) activities include swimming in the lake and hiking.

12. Today we'll be doing some (crafts/crafty).

13. Have you ever gone (caving/cave in)? (= exploring around caves)

14. I really hope you guys (enjoyed/enforced) (= liked) the hike today!

15. We have to take into (count/account) ( = be mindful of) the children's interests.

16. Are you (familiar/famous) with (= do you know) this game?

17. I'm well aware of all the emergency (procedure/procedures).

18. My main responsibility is to (ensure/secure) the children's safety.

19. Wait, you're not strapped in (proper/properly).

20. There are certain (rules/rule) that we all have to follow.

21. He was (upset/upsetting) the other children in the cabin.

22. Ok, (break/brick) time!

23. Do you know how to perform (first/fast) aid?

24. You have to try to (resolve/dismantle) the conflict by talking it through.

25. This job is physically (demanded/demanding).

26. This was mentioned in yesterday's incident (log/lag).

27. If a problem (arises/rises), please let one of the other counselors know.

28. Make sure you (coordinate/cooperate) this with the other counselors.

29. You have to be available round-the- (clock/watch). (= 24/7)

30. I really don't think he (enjoys/happy) being around children.