Summer jobs for 16-year-olds — can we make a list?

[Anonymous]

Not for this summer — I’m thinking ahead for next (yay, planning) when I’ll have a 16-year-old.

Would like to make a list of actual places that hire kids who are 16. Looking in Bethesda/Rockville/Gaithersburg.
She may have access to a car.

I know about lifeguards (she’s doing that this summer)
I know chik-fil-a hires at 16
Other restaurants? Retail? Catering? Florists? Hair or nail salon?

She has ADHD so it needs to be something that keeps her moving vs. sitting at a desk or in a staid office environment all day.

[Anonymous]

Camp counselor is the obvious one
If she is only looking for summer work, she will want to focus on seasonal businesses - camps, pools, ice cream, amusement parks or similar, restaurants with outdoor patios, garden centers.
There are a lot of places that will technically hire 16 year olds but will prefer 18 year olds given the choice. Restaurants in particular prefer over 18.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Camp counselor is the obvious one
If she is only looking for summer work, she will want to focus on seasonal businesses - camps, pools, ice cream, amusement parks or similar, restaurants with outdoor patios, garden centers.
There are a lot of places that will technically hire 16 year olds but will prefer 18 year olds given the choice. Restaurants in particular prefer over 18.

Around that age I started working as a camp counselor - the camp only went 9am-12pm, so then I drove one family's kids home and worked as a nanny for a family from 12pm-5pm.

For anybody reading this in DC, the Summer Youth Employment Program is a great opportunity that connects kids with all sorts of jobs based on their interests, but it may be too late to sign up this year.

[Anonymous]

All the counselors at my local camp were previous year’s campers. So to get a job they had to already come from wealthy families who could afford sending them there. They are getting paid and they’re also racking up the SSL hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Camp counselor is the obvious one
If she is only looking for summer work, she will want to focus on seasonal businesses - camps, pools, ice cream, amusement parks or similar, restaurants with outdoor patios, garden centers.
There are a lot of places that will technically hire 16 year olds but will prefer 18 year olds given the choice. Restaurants in particular prefer over 18.

Agree about restaurants. With very few exceptions, they do not hire under 18.

OP, they can also check gyms and swim schools. Both hire under 18s.

[Anonymous]

My 16 year old claims Starbucks hires at this age. But she hasn't actually applied. *shrug*

[Anonymous]

Camp counselor

Local retail - I know a couple kids who work at the local hardware store (but also do weekends during school year) and my son worked at a bakery that hired teems but only through referral from other employees. Should ask friends where they work.

[Anonymous]

I’m pretty sure you have to be 18 for Starbucks.

[Anonymous]

Arlington county parks and rec starts offering paid postions at 15. It pays over $15 an hour so. I am sure other county rec programs are similar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the counselors at my local camp were previous year’s campers. So to get a job they had to already come from wealthy families who could afford sending them there. They are getting paid and they’re also racking up the SSL hours.

They could also apply to other camps? Parks and Rec, community center, etc - there are tons of options, and could be a good thing to have the kid travel out of their circle and meet new people?

[Anonymous]

Fairfax County Parks and Rec requires you to be 18 to be camp counselors.

[Anonymous]

OP-where is your kid lifeguarding as a 15 yo? I thought you had to be 16.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the counselors at my local camp were previous year’s campers. So to get a job they had to already come from wealthy families who could afford sending them there. They are getting paid and they’re also racking up the SSL hours.

That's the problem with a lot of camp counselor positions. They get hired out of a CIT pool where parents are paying for their kids to do work.

[Anonymous]

Montgomery County — for the PP who asked about lifeguarding

They can be lifeguards at 15

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Camp counselor is the obvious one
If she is only looking for summer work, she will want to focus on seasonal businesses - camps, pools, ice cream, amusement parks or similar, restaurants with outdoor patios, garden centers.
There are a lot of places that will technically hire 16 year olds but will prefer 18 year olds given the choice. Restaurants in particular prefer over 18.

Agree about restaurants. With very few exceptions, they do not hire under 18.

OP, they can also check gyms and swim schools. Both hire under 18s.

I've heard firsthand that the Glory Days chain hires at 15 for host/hostess.