wombat
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| posted on 14/4/12 at 07:54 AM |
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Working at camp america
My son is going through the application process to work in the states for 9 weeks this summer. Just wondered if any of you had experience of the same?
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Coopz
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| posted on 14/4/12 at 08:01 AM |
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A friend of mine did this last year, he loved it and would really like to do it again. He was coaching football.
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big-vee-twin
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| posted on 14/4/12 at 08:15 AM |
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My Daughter went to Fiji for 3 months with Think Pacific and built a school in a remote village.
She lived throughout this time in a 'mud hut' and showered in cold water with a bucket.
When they wanted food they jumped in a boat and went fishing.
During her stay she was adopted by a local family who insisted she called them mum and Dad.
She had a life changing experience.
Duratec Engine is fitted, MS2 Extra V3 is assembled and tested, engine running, car now built. IVA passed 26/02/2016
http://www.triangleltd.com
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BigGeoff
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| posted on 14/4/12 at 08:23 AM |
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Did this myself (Camp America that is) way back in 1986 and then again 1987 - best two summers of my life. Have a few friends with kids in their mid
twenties who did Camp America and they all loved it. My daughter is planning on it when she finishes Uni.
My advice would be to make plans to travel after camp - there used to be good deals on the buses out there - used to be Greyhound, but I think
that's changed - internal flights used to be good value also. Make lots of contacts with counsellors and parents - there will be lots of offers
of accommodation when travelling. In 4 weeks of travelling I only paid for three nights of accommodation.
There are often lots of staff from other countries also as the Americans like to have a good mix of staff as it "enhances" the camp
experience for their children. Again make as many contacts as possible - networking in the modern world is so important.
Above all go with an open mind and embrace the experience.
[Edited on 14/4/12 by BigGeoff]
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imagineer
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| posted on 14/4/12 at 11:42 AM |
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I did it aged 19, amazing experience.
Spent a month travelling coast-to-coast after camp - some of my best memories ...
(American's love the English accent, you can't go wrong ... unless you walk around Harlem at 3am; not one of my fondest memories but a
great yarn none the less.)
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D Beddows
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| posted on 14/4/12 at 11:54 AM |
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My eldest step daughter is going this summer (3 months without her hurrah!!!!  ) she's made a right c*ck up of it if you ask me - she was
terrified she wouldn't get anywhere so lied that she was a yoga expert (never done it until she got a place) and ended up at a strictly Jewish
camp in Ohio somewhere (not entirely sure she's ever even met a Jewish person......) BUT it will be an experience for her! The application
process is a right faff though isn't it!
When I went to university the 1st time 4 or 5 lads on my course went every summer and had an outstanding time by all accounts!!
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twybrow
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| posted on 14/4/12 at 12:20 PM |
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Wombat - a serious word of caution from someone who has done this - me!
Camp America is effectively an agency. Don't let them take their cut - instead, apply direct to the camps. I earned 3 times more than my camp
America mates doing the same job. I worked at Camp Winaukee, in New Hampshire, and it was amazing. My own 5.7 v8 speed boat to drive the kids around
the 27 mile long lake - awesome times. I am happy to give you a cottact name if you need it....
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imagineer
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| posted on 14/4/12 at 12:23 PM |
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Quick 'heads-up' - the US is a litigious society, they sue at the drop of a hat.
Not a direct problem when you work at camp, but you do have your hands tied when it comes to using comon sense - they have strict rules about working
with kids; you definitely can't slap them - no matter how much they deserve it, and you can't show them any physical affection - no matter
how upset or homesick they are (and simply need a hug to make it all better).
Medicating kids is 'normal' in the US, you'd be shocked to see the long line of kids at the nurses' cabin every morning; the
quiet kids on uppers to encourage them to bounce of the walls, and the kids that are full of beans on downers to keep them in line.
Most Amercians don't have a passport - and think that travelling to another State is adventurous.
They suffix all places in Europe with the country, when in conversation; Paris - France, London - England, etc.
Your son will be shocked at the narrow horizons possessed by the average US teenager (but it does make them easy to wind-up and they generally believe
anything said with an English accent).
I lost count of the number of times I was asked if I 'knew the Queen'.
They don't get sarcasm, goes clean over their heads.
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D Beddows
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| posted on 14/4/12 at 12:42 PM |
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My step daughter should fit in quite well then 
lack of basic common sense - check
failure to comprehend basic sarcasm and irony - check
traveling anywhere outside home town (never mind county) a major adventure - check
inability to think for yourself - check
I'm being flippant I know but I've found it's sadly a mistake to overestimate the capabilities of the average modern teenager 
Her biggest challenge I suspect is going to be separated from Facebook and her list of 500 friends she doesn't really know for prolonged periods
of time.......
[Edited on 14/4/12 by D Beddows]
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scudderfish
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| posted on 14/4/12 at 12:46 PM |
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Completely off topic, it's where my username comes from When I was a student, a previous occupant of the house I was living in had done it.
They got some post detailing what had happened to others who had done it. Being nosey buggers we opened it. Two previous workers had the memorable
names Scudder Fish and Ickey Spear. As my real name (Dave Smith) is so common, and usually already taken online, I picked 'scudderfish'
as a more uncommon one to use.
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bobinspain
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| posted on 14/4/12 at 08:09 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by scudderfish
Completely off topic, it's where my username comes from When I was a student, a previous occupant of the house I was living in had done it.
They got some post detailing what had happened to others who had done it. Being nosey buggers we opened it. Two previous workers had the memorable
names Scudder Fish and Ickey Spear. As my real name (Dave Smith) is so common, and usually already taken online, I picked 'scudderfish'
as a more uncommon one to use.
Good tale. (puerile, by the way).
[Edited on 14/4/12 by bobinspain]
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wombat
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| posted on 5/6/12 at 08:46 PM |
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Well he now has accepted a placement and flies out of Heathrow to Boston next Friday!!
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