How
do you know what camp life is like?
Why not read past participant diaries:
Read CCUSA Staff Diaries
View Camp America Staff
Diaries
Browse a BUNAC counsellor's experience
Do
I have to undergo a criminal record check?
Yes, everyone who wants to work at a summer camp needs
to be vetted. If you have a criminal record you will not be
eligible to go.
Should
I find myself a camp or leave it to the company?
Although you can leave it to your company to find you a
camp, we recommend you independently find a placement prior
to leaving for the USA. Find
a summer camp job in the USA and Canada.
How
long after your application was sent to the camps until you
got a place?
It depends, you be be placed that day, or even have
to wait until you arrive in the USA. Contact your company
for more details.
What
is the latest date I can depart for camp?
You need to be flexible with your dates around June and
July. Anytime later and you would need to contact your camp
or company you are going with.
Can
I apply to go to the same camp as my friend?
We recommend that you do not go to camp with a friend or
partner. Hiring companies can not guarantee that you will
be placed with another person. Summer camp directors hire
staff who have specific skills and so it is not always possible
to send two people to one camp. If you apply early, and find
a camp the chances will be higher. Apply
to camps in the USA now.
Do
I have to arrange my own flights, insurance and visa?
If you apply with one of the companies we listed, e.g.
BUNAC, Camp
America or CCUSA, no. Once
you have been accepted they will deal with all your summer.
it's time to get excited about your summer ahead as they will
organise your insurance and visa, although you will be required
to go to the US Embassy to have you visa application approved.
Is
there a fee for the visa interview?
Yes, the US Government have introduced an interview fee
which you will be expected to pay to them when you go to the
Embassy.
Will
working at a summer camp improve my
employment opportunities?
Definitely. It shows that you are an independent and flexible.
How
do I find a summer
camp job in the USA?
Browse our summer camp jobs in the
USA. Or visit our partner website and apply
to work at thousands of summer camps in the USA, UK, Europe
and worldwide.
Can
I incorporate working at a summer camp as part of a gap
year?
Yes, every summer participants choose to travel around
the world, and being based in the USA is a perfect gateway
to the world. Please visit our partner gap
year website for more information
I
have signed up to go to camp but still haven't got a placement...help!
Do not panic, there are thousands of people in your situation.
Your hiring company may even fly you over to the destination
without a placement.
Can
I travel in the US after camp?
Yes, you have the option of staying in the US until your
Visa runs out. A large number of counsellors take up the opportunity
to travel around America and then go West to explore the world,
please visit our travel section
What
if I want to find out more?
All of the general information you require should be listed
on the website, but if you can not find it or if you have
a specific question that is not answered you can e-mail
us. Or ask a question on the Message
Forum. Our resident summer camp expert Matt Evans who
attends Eagles Nest Camp in North Carolina will help with
any questions you may have on our forum.
FAQ Forum Topics
Past
Counselor Feedback
"I'm
going to hopefully be a counsellor this summer, but don't
have any experience with children, but really want to go.
Will it really matter when it comes to the interviews?"
Kate, Birmingham
"Being
a camp coordinator, i've passed a lot of person in interviews.
What's important: be yourself and please, participate! You
have to show us that you have some caring skills, that you
are responsible and will not take stupid risk. We like to
see some leadership, but no overstepping on other's ideas.
We like energetic people, but no "over-doers". What we really
want is to see your personnality, your talents (music? art?
storytelling? sports?) and your love of kids and outdoors."
Rose, Canada
"As
a director, I look for at least one of two things: a strong
skill (for example: lifesaving) or child care experience (babysitting
will do) If you have both- great, if you have neither- you
are not looking so favorable. Remember, there are thousands
of applicants just like you, you have to stand out in some
way or you will not get hired. You don't need tons of experience
but you are not going to get very far with none."
Litchfield, Conneticut
"Can
anyone tell me in general what the food on camp is like? I'm
quite a healthy eater and I'm a bit worried it might all be
pizza and junk! I don't mind a bit of junk, but I'm not too
keen on eating it all day every day for 9 weeks!!!!"
Rebecca England
"Don't
worry there are usually lots of options, at my camp some of
the food was very deep fried ala fish sticks & the chicken
slop option is bizarre!!! But lots of salads, fruit, fresh
drinks, yogurts, vegtables etc." Paul, England
"We
generally had a lot of choice. fruit was available all day,
salad bars at lunch and dinner. Breakfast is cereals, yoghurt,
and a variety of typical american things: bagels, pancakes
etc... Lunch is very high energy food, occasionally going
towards junk (burgers etc) to keep the kids going all day
but tends to be potato, pasta, chicken based... Dinner is
a proper meal, with vegetables for nutrituon What you've got
to remember is the camps are responsible for the kids' health
so they won't ply them with fatty foods all day, which makes
it easier to bribe them with candy hehe" Richard
Small, Reading
For more
information please visit our Message
Forum
