Discussion
My daughter is interested in doing Camp America next summer, after A levels and before University.
I have a few reservations, not least down to the fact that there's a £350 "deposit", £200 visa paperwork and £75 fee for something else I've forgotten.
They don't tell you how much you'll earn either, just that it will be "at least" $2000 over the six weeks. I'm not too worried about her coming away with money, just we haven't got it to lose.
Has anyone had experience of doing this, or got kids who have tried it?
I have a few reservations, not least down to the fact that there's a £350 "deposit", £200 visa paperwork and £75 fee for something else I've forgotten.
They don't tell you how much you'll earn either, just that it will be "at least" $2000 over the six weeks. I'm not too worried about her coming away with money, just we haven't got it to lose.
Has anyone had experience of doing this, or got kids who have tried it?
Not got direct experience of doing Camp America myself, however I knew quite a few people who did go (or did similar USA Summer Camp jobs). Everyone who went absolutely loved the experience, it's more a social experience than a proper "job", most broke even by the end of the summer as their wage was spent on travelling around in free time etc. Yes there is still actual work to do, but the vast majority are going for a fun experience in the US. A few of my friends met their current partners, or made connections which have lasted to this day nearly a decade afterwards. Makes me wish I had done it myself after my first year at University! I did notice a big increase in confidence from one guy who went out for the summer, he was always abit on the shy side but signed up anyway and it allowed him to really come out of his shell. If she has the chance to do take part i'd definitely recommend to be honest.
(For reference i'm 29, and most of my "experience" comes from 8-10 years ago for what it's worth)
(For reference i'm 29, and most of my "experience" comes from 8-10 years ago for what it's worth)
Edited by DD3566 on Friday 15th November 13:21
DD3566 said:
Not got direct experience of doing Camp America myself, however I knew quite a few people who did go (or did similar USA Summer Camp jobs). Everyone who went absolutely loved the experience, it's more a social experience than a proper "job", most broke even by the end of the summer as their wage was spent on travelling around in free time etc. Yes there is still actual work to do, but the vast majority are going for a fun experience in the US. A few of my friends met their current partners, or made connections which have lasted to this day nearly a decade afterwards. Makes me wish I had done it myself after my first year at University! I did notice a big increase in confidence from one guy who went out for the summer, he was always abit on the shy side but signed up anyway and it allowed him to really come out of his shell. If she has the chance to do take part i'd definitely recommend to be honest.
(For reference i'm 29, and most of my "experience" comes from 8-10 years ago for what it's worth)
One of my mates son does it - spends summers at Camp and then heads to the mountain in the winter as a ski instructor. Been doing it for around 4 years now and absolutely loves it. I think this year is his last due to visa issues and probably needs to settle down.(For reference i'm 29, and most of my "experience" comes from 8-10 years ago for what it's worth)
Edited by DD3566 on Friday 15th November 13:21
Another mate did it when he was young (30 years ago) - he did EuroCamp and absolutely loved it.
It's a life experience not a job.
I'm pushing my kids to do something similar and my eldest is hoping to be a ski instructor for a season.
A mate at uni did it. He said it was a great experience on the whole although that was back in 2005. Pretty sure he got paid something like that back then.
He did say he was taken aback by how much
impromptu counselling he had to do. Some of the kids were really messed up and opened up to him. Bearing in mind he was only a few years older than them.
He did say he was taken aback by how much
impromptu counselling he had to do. Some of the kids were really messed up and opened up to him. Bearing in mind he was only a few years older than them.
I did it in 2019.... there's a few organisations out there you can go through. Camp America being the most well known. Some camps will accept direct applicants to save the middle man of the organisations, but imo, for your first time the organisation of the bigger outfits is worthit for the peace of mind, from what can be quite a complicated process. - I used camp leaders.
The first year you're out there, you won't earn much, but overall you won't lose money from the initial fee investment etc. I'd recommend organising your own flights, mine were a pain as they booked me through Belgium for a saving of £50 or so.
It's hard work, but definitely worth it. Upon completion of camp you'll have up to a month (I think) on your visa to stay and lots of people go out and about after that.
Camps are a big business, multi-million dollar big for each camp. They're usually run well, and it takes a lot of coordination to sort all this out, hence the fees etc.
I'd definitely recommend it.
The first year you're out there, you won't earn much, but overall you won't lose money from the initial fee investment etc. I'd recommend organising your own flights, mine were a pain as they booked me through Belgium for a saving of £50 or so.
It's hard work, but definitely worth it. Upon completion of camp you'll have up to a month (I think) on your visa to stay and lots of people go out and about after that.
Camps are a big business, multi-million dollar big for each camp. They're usually run well, and it takes a lot of coordination to sort all this out, hence the fees etc.
I'd definitely recommend it.
My Daughter did it, and didn't really like it. The kids were extremely spoiled, she came home with a couple of pairs of nearly new trainers that some kids couldn't be bothered to pack when they left. The rules for the people working at the camp were also pretty onerous - and unless you wanted to be bound by them on your day off, you needed to stump up for a hotel / motel room. A couple of people she got on well with ended up being kicked out for relatively minor transgressions. Money wise, I'd say at best she broke even and that was without extensive travelling at the end.
Having said all of that, it's definitely a life experience and I wouldn't say don't do it. Just do it with your eyes wide open.
The other thing to note is that the application process and visa related paperwork and visits is a massive PITA. Depending on your Daughter's personality it can end up being a massive distraction during A level preparation. For the visa - make sure that she (and you) read everything about the process several times and follow it all to the letter, otherwise you're going to have a wasted trip to the Embassy.
Having said all of that, it's definitely a life experience and I wouldn't say don't do it. Just do it with your eyes wide open.
The other thing to note is that the application process and visa related paperwork and visits is a massive PITA. Depending on your Daughter's personality it can end up being a massive distraction during A level preparation. For the visa - make sure that she (and you) read everything about the process several times and follow it all to the letter, otherwise you're going to have a wasted trip to the Embassy.
CallThatMusic said:
I did it when I was 18 - a long time ago.
Flew to NYC then took a bus to Toronto and from there with the others to Algonquin National Park for the summer.
Absolutely brilliant.
That was BUNAC but similar to Camp America.
I’d say “do it “.
I did BUNAC as well as a maintenance guy / minivan driver. Being over 21 helped as I could go to the local bar with some of the staff some nights.Flew to NYC then took a bus to Toronto and from there with the others to Algonquin National Park for the summer.
Absolutely brilliant.
That was BUNAC but similar to Camp America.
I’d say “do it “.
Had a great time, kids were pretty good (all rich kids from NY) though realised I was definitely some years from being ready to become a dad...
It's more fun than a summer job in McDonalds. Travel broadens the mind.
Many moons ago my wife did Camp America (at Camp Merriwood for Girls in New Hampshire). She had an amazing and unforgettable time - she still will reminisce about the experience to this day.
I never did anything like that and having heard about my wife’s experiences I feel like I missed out a bit.
I never did anything like that and having heard about my wife’s experiences I feel like I missed out a bit.
I did Camp America in Summer 1986 and loved it! Would thoroughly recommend pre/post Uni students to do it.
They take care of many of the logistics and the other staff I met at camp were fantastic. Okay the kids can be a bit obnoxious, but it was fascinating to learn about another culture.
They take care of many of the logistics and the other staff I met at camp were fantastic. Okay the kids can be a bit obnoxious, but it was fascinating to learn about another culture.
My daughter currently going through the process for next summer. She's registered, completed the initial interview and we've stumped up some money, not sure how much.
She's already had offers from numerous camps and has interviewed and accepted a role in a camp somewhere in New York.
I wouldn't expect her "earnings" from the camp to go far at all, fully expect to be throwing an extra few grand at the trip to ensure she gets to see and do all she wants whilst over there.
She's already had offers from numerous camps and has interviewed and accepted a role in a camp somewhere in New York.
I wouldn't expect her "earnings" from the camp to go far at all, fully expect to be throwing an extra few grand at the trip to ensure she gets to see and do all she wants whilst over there.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff