The reasons that counselors in resident summer camps return to work are explored, taking into account the differences between private and agency camps, and differing attitudes of male and female camp counselors. A random sample of returning counselors at 15 private and 15 agency camps in the Northeast were selected for the study. Six attitudinal dimensions were identified to discover the most important factor in influencing the counselor's decision to return to work: stimulation or inspiration, living conditions and camp life, personal, camp administration, job-related experience, and travel and location. Results showed that agency counselors of both sexes had similar feelings towards the attitudinal dimensions, ranking personal considerations the highest. Private camp counselors had differing feelings: the males rated the personal dimensions highest, and the females felt the job-related experience was most important. Studies done in the 1950s and 1960s showed that counselors came to camp because they liked the outdoors, travel and fun. Today's counselors are more concerned with gaining job-related skills to help them compete in a vary competitive job market. Camp directors should examine their policies, procedures and traditions to increase the retention of counselors. (JMM)