I booked through Camp America and I didn’t actually speak to a member of staff once! I did everything through their website. The only interaction I had with them was when I had my interview before my first summer and when I met them at the embassy. I’ve been working with Camp Leaders on a few projects now and they are amazing to speak to. If I was to go back to Camp I would use them or Camp America again.
The most intense parts of the process was the interview, which was about an hour with a local representative (not at their office), the VISA interview (which took 4 hours to get to London, 2 hours to get into the embassy and the interview itself only took 30 seconds!), and the anxious wait to be placed at camp!
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I have heard of many people around here doing this kind of thing but I never really thought about it for myself. It looks incredible! I wish I thought of it before I had my own kiddo because I think now it would be hard to plan something like this. Thank you for sharing your experience of it, it is really inspiring
Hi Natasha! There were actually a lot of parents who worked at camp and then there kids could go for free! They were senior staff or nurses!
Whoa. I enjoyed reading this interview. I had first heard of summer camp in a Bollywood movie released in 1998. Before this movie, summer camps were unheard of in my country India. Every thing changed after a movie. Now most affluent Indian kids spend their vacation productively in summer camps.
I was in the Saved by the Bell fan club! I had never thought about summer camps as a way to work abroad, but it sounds like a great idea. You get to be outdoors and engage with new people. It would be tough not having access to my phone, but I think you would get used to it:)
Thanks Jennifer! Glad you liked it! Also, there was a saved by the bell fan club??? Sounds like my sort of club! Lol
how amazing, I’ve never actually thought about doing something like this but you’ve written some good points here about why it makes sense to do this! I never thought how this could be good on a CV but you’re right it makes for great talking points beyond just skill sets and relevant experience.
Hi Judy! Thanks! It comes up in every interview! They love it! It’s a great talking point.
This is a brilliant idea to travel and work in the U.S.A. I have not thought about this yet. It would be so much fun to work with kids and meet new friends. You can explore different states as often as you could. I like that she taught fencing, archery, and riflery. I would recommend this to my friends.
Hi Kathy! Thanks! It was one of the best jobs I’ve had by far! Plus I got to teach kids saftey and responsibility but have fun! Great summers which I’ll never forget!
Wow, I never knew about the Work Program that lets you also to travel in the USA. I’m really interested to try this out someday while in the States. The camp sounds like a fun place to stay and work with kids. And so lucky that you could cover 23 states while you were working, that’s pretty cool.
Thanks Suma! If your really interested let me know which country your from and I can recommend an agency for you!
I definitely remember working summer camps when I was younger! I definitely liked them – they’re super fun! It’s so great that they took care of flights and all the logistics. Those can be a nightmare
Hi Alice! That’s awesome! Which camp did you go to?
I never knew what summer camps actually entailed. Always figured there were outdoorsy activities but there’s obviously a lot more that goes into it. Very interesting read on your experience and also kudos for being part of an organization that works with kids!
Thanks Ling! ☺️
OMG, I was always dreaming about this! I remember many people from my Uni actually went working to the US during summer for Work and Travel, so they spent 2 months working and 1 month traveling across the States. What a great experience!
Hi Magda! It’s definitely a popular thing to do during the summer for uni students! All my friends went for the summer so it was do it too or be lonely all summer lol
Long ago I wanted to do that, but there was always something that prevented me from working at a camp. It sounds like a very nice experience.
Thanks Anna!
Loved this post, I worked for 2 years in a row in Kampus Kampers camp in Florida and loved every minute of it. I would recommend it to anyone!
Hi Portia! That’s one of the camps I wanted to go to but they filled up so quickly! Sounds amazing!
this is super helpful! im kind of convinced i need to do this!
You should!! 🙂
Hi Krista! Definitely do it! If you need any further advice or help let me know!
Awesome! It’s one of my only regrets in life that I didn’t do this when I was younger! I think it sounds like an amazing way to spend a summer, great for your CV and life skills and sounds like you make friends for life. Thanks for sharing!
Oh I always wanted to do this when I was younger. Now I’m too old and cranky. I love seeing young travellers still doing this as a way to explore a different workld.
This looks like a lot of fun! I considered this a while ago, but now I have a proper ‘career’ (yeah, right haha). Your post camp travels look great.
This seems like an excellent idea, Katie! This post was so motivational so I will give this idea a thought.. 🙂
Hi Agness! It was amazing! I don’t know how I could recommend it enough! If you have any further questions about it please let me know!
I am so inspired!! I wish I could do something like this.. Any thoughts or ideas how I would be able to do it? Would be much appreciated 🙂
[…] The following year, I shared my tips on getting a USA Summer Camp job with some friends who then got themselves jobs and headed off to work at camps. I am by no means an expert on working at or with summer camps but here is some advice and information for those hoping to get a place at a USA Summer Camp. […]
Amazing !!
[…] WORK ABROAD: USA SUMMER CAMP […]
[…] So you have decided to work at a USA summer camp, whether with Camp America or another company, and you are getting yourself physically and mentally prepared. All camps are different but generally, they have a similar routine for the day. All camps will have time to eat three times a day, you will have sessions to lead or accompany your group of kids to and you will have some down time too. Some camps have children for just a week, some are day camps and others have children for multiple weeks at a time. Either way, you need to know what to expect before you go to a USA Summer Camp. […]