To help your teen make the most of summertime, seek out opportunities for enrichment, like camp counselor jobs, internships, employment with a local business, travel, and specialized earning. In fact, summer break is the ideal time for young people to engage in experiences that foster growth, maturity, self-responsibility, communications skills, and positive relationships, while making memories that last a lifetime.

Summer Opportunities for Teens: What to Explore

If you want to find an enriching summer experience for your teenager, start your research here. We’ve compiled a few different categories of summer opportunities for teens: camp counselor and CIT roles, summer jobs and internships, travel groups, and enrichment programs. Each option offers unique benefits for growth, while also providing structure, and plenty of summer fun.

Camp Counselor and CIT Opportunities

When you think of summer opportunities for teenagers, camp counselor probably comes to mind. Teens take a leadership role at camp, guiding younger children through a daily schedule of games, swimming, sports, outdoor adventure, and more.

For many, it’s the first time they’ve taken on a responsibility where they must develop skills in decision-making, problem-solving, planning, and communication. What’s more, being a counselor calls for teenagers to tap into their nurturing side, which is a wonderful attribute in a young person.

Many teenagers find counselor jobs at the camps they attended as younger children. Camps often have a counselor-in-training (CIT) program for campers who reach a certain age, usually around 13. CIT programs may give preference to applicants who were previously campers there. However, camps will usually consider other young people who are hard workers and demonstrate an interest in working with children.

After working as a CIT, teens can progress to junior counselor or head counselor. Again these roles may be filled by kids who came up through the ranks. But camps also extend opportunities to enthusiastic teens with a positive attitude.

Main Line Area Camps With CIT and Counselor Opportunities

Camps start accepting applications for CITs and counselors as early as February or March for the upcoming summer. Here are some camp options to consider in our area that have CIT and/or counselor options. Contact them directly for more information.

Camp Half Blood

Part of Mythik Camps, Camp Half Blood is an immersive, adventure day camp in Wissahickon Park, Philadelphia. CITs (age 15–17, depending on location) will work and learn alongside counselors and their camp leadership team.

Camp Garrett Williamson

This day camp in Newtown Square, has a Leaders in Training (LIT) program for teens ages of 13–15, which costs $894 per two-week session in 2026. For older teens (16+), Camp Garrett offers employment positions for lifeguard (16+) and program coordinators (18+).

Music Theatre Philly

Offers a summer intern program for teens in grades 9–12 at their 1301 Locust Street location in Center City Philadelphia. Applications due March 31st, 2026

Pinemere Camp

A Jewish overnight camp in Stroudsberg, PA that has a CIT program, as well as general and specialty counselors.

Summer Work Opportunities for Teens

Summer employment gives teens the chance to earn money while developing valuable life skills and exploring potential career interests. From internships to positions at local businesses, the right summer job can be both enriching and fun. Consider these work opportunity categories for your teen.

Internships

If your teen already has an interest in a particular field like science, the arts, the environment, or another field, an internship is a excellent way to delve deeper and gain unique experiences.

A great example of this is the Penn Museum, which offers internships to high school, college, and graduate students interested in archaeology. Whether it’s an internship at a museum, an environmental organization, a technology company, or other institution, it’s one of those opportunities for growth that also looks great on a college application.

Country Clubs

In particular, the Main Line area is home to numerous country clubs. Working at a country club offers a lot of perks for teenagers: employment, social connection, fun, and access to club amenities.

According to Main Line Parent, Alison S., “all of the local country clubs are desperate for summer staff and hire at 16.” She mentions Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, which hires teens as camp counselors, life guards, as well as snack bar and wait staff. Golf clubs also often hire teen golf caddies, who can earn great tips helping out on the green.

Retirement Communities

Another unique summer opportunity for teens is working at a retirement community. Some common positions for young people at retirement communities include dining staff and activity assistants. For teens who have a nurturing personality, working with older folks can offer a profoundly rewarding experience. If this kind of work appeals to your teenager, reach out to a local retirement community to find out what positions may be available.

Jobs at Local Small Businesses

If your teen wants a summer job opportunity, of course there are restaurants like Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s or retail outlets like Target and Walmart. But instead of working at corporate chain stores consider opportunities at independent, local businesses and organizations. These may offer teens unique work experiences and relationships within the community.

Travel Opportunities

Travel provides teens with new perspectives and fantastic opportunities for growth. In the Main Line area, Travel for Teens in Wayne strives to provide meaningful and authentic travel experiences for teens and young adults.

You can explore their menu of 100+ trips by grade to find the perfect, age-appropriate travel experience for your child. And each trip is professionally staffed to ensure the safety and care of the group, which comprises 16–24 teen travelers. Destinations include Costa Rica, Hawaii, Alaska, Africa, many countries of Europe, Southwestern US, and more.

Summer Enrichment Opportunities for Teens

Maybe your teen isn’t sure what they want to do this summer and could use some guidance? The Camp Experts & Teen Summers  is a free advisory service that helps families find the right summer camp, teen travel, language, or pre-college enrichment program for their children. According to Camp Experts & Teen Summers consultant, Jennifer Markizon, “There are lots of great options for teens. Depending on their interests, there are pre-college enrichment programs on college campuses, teen-only camps, and community service trips — both domestic and abroad.”

Help Your Teen Make the Most of Summer

The right summer opportunity can spark new interests and build lasting confidence. Research options early, as many programs fill up by spring. Help your teen make this summer meaningful and memorable.

Do know of a Main Line summer opportunity for teens that you’d like to share? Please let us know in the Comments section below!

Lead photo courtesy of Travel for Teens.