When a college athlete looks at their summer break, they often see a trade-off. They can either stay on campus to train, or they can find a “serious” internship or job to build their resume.

At Camp Winaukee, we believe they shouldn’t have to choose.

Winaukee isn’t just a sports focused camp for boys; it’s an incubator for the next generation of leaders, coaches, and competitors. For the collegiate athlete, a summer on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee is a high-performance environment that builds the “intangibles” that every coach looks for in a captain.

Here is why a summer at Winaukee is the perfect fit for collegiate level players:

1. Leadership & Executive Functioning

In the locker room, leadership is often about leading by example. At Winaukee, we take that to the next level. Our staff members are responsible for planning, executing, and managing daily sports instruction.

They aren’t just following a whistle, they’re running the drills. They are learning how to manage different personalities, pivot when a plan fails, and communicate complex ideas to a young audience. These are the critical soft skills and “executive functions” that translate directly back to their role as a team leader and their future careers in any industry.

2. The Power of the Role Model

There is a unique gravity that comes with being a collegiate athlete. To our campers, these players are more than just coaches, they are heroes.

Serving as a mentor to young boys who actively look up to them teaches an athlete the weight of their influence. It forces a level of self-awareness and maturity that is hard to find elsewhere. When a player realizes that a 10-year-old is mirroring their attitude, their work ethic, and their sportsmanship, it changes how they carry themselves for the rest of their lives.

3. Physical Condition

We know the biggest hesitation for many athletes (or their coach) when considering a summer job: Will I lose my edge? The answer is a resounding no. Our facilities are designed for high-level play. With top-tier athletic fields and fully equipped weight rooms, athletes have everything they need to train and maintain their physical performance. Between leading high intensity drills and having access to professional grade equipment for their own workouts, our staff stay in strong physical condition while living a highly active, outdoor lifestyle.

4. Real World Career Development

This isn’t just a summer job; it’s a competitive, paid professional experience. For players seeking careers in coaching, sports management, physical education, or even business leadership, Winaukee offers formal internship credits.

They leave the summer with a resume that boasts more than just “camp counselor.” They leave with documented experience in personnel management, program development, and public speaking.

The Bottom Line:

We aren’t looking for people to just “watch” kids. We are looking for competitors who want to share their passion for the game with kid while sharpening their own leadership tools.

If you have a player who is ready to grow as much as they train, they belong at Winaukee.