We interview Natasha about her time working in a USA Summer Camp. She shares her experience, travel and tips for working with Camp America.
Read more of our work abroad interviews here.
What is Camp America?
Camp America is a cultural exchange programme, giving young people an opportunity to work in a USA Summer Camp. There are different roles available, the wage is minimal and camps can be found across the US.
Camp America is a great way to show future employers that you can adapt to new situations and are an outgoing person. Camp America looks great on a CV, especially if you are interested in teaching in the future.
You can learn more about how to apply for Camp America in our guide, learn about the Camp America Expectations are and learn about a typical day at a USA Summer camp.
Working at a USA Summer Camp - an interview
So why did you decide to work in at a USA Summer Camp?
Well, I love all things America and I was obsessed with US TV from a very young age. Saved by the bell being one of my favourites. I loved American culture and camp is a massive part of that! I’m also very sporty and a qualified coach so it was a great fit!
Why did you decide to go back and work for the next two summers?
I knew I would be going back to camp after the first few weeks in my first summer. I loved the people, the activities, the camp views, the days off and of course the kids were awesome! Who knew teaching would be so much fun!
What was the application process like?
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!
Was the Camp America programme expensive?
Honestly, I thought it was quite reasonable. They took care of everything including my flights for the first year and all I had to do was turn up. Plus, I GOT PAID!!! All worth it in my eyes for amazing memories! It’s cheaper as a returner too as you don’t have to have an interview, you don’t have to go to the embassy again (you can mail it in) and I could look for my own flights! Money saved!
What were the kids like and what was your role?
Most of them were amazing! You are always going to get the odd camper who will test your patience but I was pretty lucky with most of my campers I got. They leave you presents and letters at the end of camp too. Some I still have! If you are a truly amazing counselor, their parents will slip you a tip at the end of summer! Dollar, dollar bills ya’ll!
I was a fencing instructor…yes, like swords and everything! I also teach some of the “specialist activities”. Basically, anything which needed a responsible adult to look after the kids and the equipment. So, not only did I do fencing but I did Archery and Riflery too. Yes, Riflery! Ohhhh America!
It was very long! Most mornings we had to be up at 7:30am to raise the flag. Then, it was time for breakfast which was typically bacon, eggs and pancakes or French toast. You can opt for cereal, toast or bagels too. Breakfast was good!
The next 3 hours till lunch were activity hours so the kids would go to their activities and all the counsellors would go to teach. Or you would take your campers around the activities, get them involved and look after them.
Around midday it would be time for lunch. This is usually hit and miss. Just really an excuse for all the counsellors to get a much needed tea or coffee before heading back to activities. Some camps get a rest hour at this point….oh rest hour! Cheeky nap time! You’ll love a siesta!
After lunch, it’s time for more activities. It’s very much like school! After, all the activities all the kids come back to the cabin or they play outside with the other kids. Every evening there’s an evening activity.
Did you get much time off?
When I was at the day camp we got every evening off and weekends! No such thing at residential camps! You work 24/7 and only get 1 day off a week. At my last camp it was the same thing but they gave us an evening off too which was pretty amazing and well used. It was all about planning and waiting for post camp travels anyway!
There are so many things on my USA Bucket list!
Would you recommend working at a USA Summer Camp to others and why?
YES! Not only will it be the best experience and summer of your life but there are other positives you can take from working at camp. I know some counselors who have gone on to go through the ranks and now even LIVE in America, working at the camp full time. If you don’t go through this route, it’s a great job to add to your CV and a great talking point. I’ve also met some amazing friends from my years of working at camp!
What was the hardest thing about working abroad?
Being away from my friends and family with no internet/Wi-Fi or a phone to call them on. You can only access the internet at certain times and your phones get locked away till your day off. So if you’re addicted to social media, camp is like rehab! Plus, the lack of sleep! I like sleep, I missed sleep!
What are your best memories and experiences of working at Camp?
Most of them are from days off and post camp travels. Basically, all the friends I made and the laughs we had. I had some great memories of camp too. For example, protesting for ice cream with my 10 year olds, creating and performing the Disney evening activity sketch night, riding horses, Camp dance, Prom and becoming Prom Queen!!!!! A dream come true!
What advise would you give to others who are heading to a USA Summer Camp?
Keep an open mind! Going to work abroad for the first time is super scary. Try to take it as it comes. Try to stick to the 10 day rule. Some counselors don’t give it enough time and end up going home thinking it’s not for them. Stay 10 days! After that time you will have settled in and made some friends. Plus, once the kids come it’s a different atmosphere and you’ll love it. Try to do everything. Do all the activities! Try all the food! Meet new friends! Most of all….have an AMAZING summer!
Best places to visit in the USA after Camp America
Helpful Resources
Travel essentials:
- We LOVE this camera for our travel photography.
- For a cheap, easy and compact camera, we use this to vlog and take photographs.
- We use this travel drone (but make sure to check drone laws in your chosen destination first).
- This is our favourite travel Insurance because it covers so many activities and travel situations that could arise on longer trips but also offers year coverage.
What to pack
- No matter where we travel to, I always take these trusty hand sanitizer’s and a mini first aid kit.
- We love these toiletry bags (especially great for smaller bathrooms) and choose a laptop bag like this as our hand luggage.
- We keep our devices charged on long travel days with these lightweight battery packs and bring these worldwide travel adaptors on all our trips.
- I still struggle not to overpack so stick to using an expandable suitcase like these, over backpack and always take my trusty luggage scales to avoid being charged at the airport.
34 Comments
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. […]