Interviews
For
international staff the easiest way to work
at a summer camp in the USA is to apply through a company
such as BUNAC,
Camp
America, Camp
Leaders or InterExchange.
Featured
Summer Camp Companies
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BUNAC
Summer
Camp USA & KAMP USA Applications Now open! Anyone
looking to go to camp in the summer can now book a
regional interview through BUNAC.
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Camp
America
It’s your chance to do something different with your
summer and spend it in the U.S.A. living & working either
with children or 'behind the scenes' at an American
Summer Camp. |
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Camp
Leaders
Camp Leaders provides the opportunity for people,
from around the world, to work with children at summer
camps in the United States, and to travel afterwards.
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InterExchange
InterExchange Camp USA connects international participants
ages 18+ with unique opportunities to work at summer
camps across the USA as counselors or support staff. |
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Profile |
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Once
you have applied you will also need to have an interview.
Don't panic though, interviews are usually an introduction
to camp life and seeing whether its right for you. Your
interviewer has been in your position and so knows what
you are going through.
Our
top tips:
-
Stay calm
- Dress smart but casual
- Relax and be friendly
- Smile and be happy
- Ask questions, this is your chance to get advice
too!
- If you are really worried, give your company
a call for direct advice
- Join our forum
and chat with other participants and past staff
- Tell your interviewer you have been researching working
at camp by using this website and you have been getting
a lot of advice from past counsellors on our fourm. This
will make you look really prepared and interested in working
at summer camp.
Interviewer
Recommendations
Camp
America - On our summer
camp forum an ex local area interviewer for Camp America
gave an insight in how she deals with interviews, and advice
on how to prepare...
If
you're a potential applicant, it's worth remembering that
interviewers and camp directors might be reading this, and
you'd be amazed at how easy it is to figure out who you
are.
To
give you all an idea of how Camp
America interviews work at least, I can
tell you that the interview isn't a formality but very much
a chance for you to impress your interviewer with your personality,
skills and experience.
Nothing
is decided until after I've met you and talked to you at
length. For me, even the emails we exchange prior to actually
meeting in person will all count towards the impression
I have of you overall. I want to see that an applicant is
organised, enthusiastic, committed and PROFESSIONAL.
Never
under-estimate the importance of a well-presented form or
courtesy on the phone. If someone comes off as rude or if
their forms/emails are full of mistakes, I'll have doubts
about their suitability for the program. After all, if you
didn't make the effort to proof-read your form, why should
I think you'll make an effort to ensure the wellbeing of
children in your care at camp? And it should go without
saying but text speak is a big no-no.
I
want to see that applicants have good judgement about professional
situations, and that they're taking the process as seriously
as they would any other job. As for the interview itself,
they ARE important in determining whether you'll go through
to the next stage of the application process so it's crucial
to make that good impression.
However,
they are relaxed and I'm not trying to catch anyone out
with any of the questions I ask. Think of it this way: camp
interviews ask you questions about yourself. If you know
yourself (and you should!), then you'll be fine. I use interviews
to gather as much information as I can about an applicant,
so I ask about things they've already done, and situations
they've dealt with.
I
do ask a few scenario questions too, and as long as your
answers aren't, "Oh, I'd throw a naughty kid in the lake",
I won't think your answers are stupid and I won't non-recommend
you just because you weren't sure how to deal with a homesick
camper. Like all Camp
America interviewers, I was a first-timer once
myself, and I know how nerve-wracking it can be, so I'm
not there to trip you up or make you sweat like you're an
Apprentice finalist.
I
just want to know about you, and hear all the awesome things
you can offer camp. I hope that clears up any confusion
for someone who might be going for a Camp
America interview anytime soon.
Hi I'm Nicola and I'm a CCUSA
area rep for Leeds Trinity and the Leeds Area. I got into
the job after spending the last 2 amazing summers in America!
Once
ou have filled out all of the paperwork you will then need
to get and either send in or bring to interview: 3 references
(from University lecturers, teachers, Employers, anyone
you have worked for/babysat for, someone who can say what
you are like as a person really. 2 smiling passport photos
- do smile as this is what the camp directors - your potential
employers - will see! and 1 programme agreement. Then your
local interviewer will be in contact with you shortly after
that to arrange an interview at a convient time and location
for you.
All
of the interviewers with CCUSA
have been to Camp with CCUSA,
so will be able to answer any of your questions honestly
and with reference to their own experience of camp.
At
your interview we will go through the 3 main skills you
have put down that you feel competent to teach/assist in
to find out what experience you have, what certificates
you have gained and all experience you have within the sport/activity
(you do not have to be an olympic athlete to go to camp,
I was placed in Canoeing and Kayaking in my first year and
had only had my own experience of what I had done when I
was younger, but with the help of my fellow counselors and
head of caoneing and the training we did during pre camp
I felt confident to teach the skills and had the time of
my life, the same with Landsports, I had done a Level 1
in Basketball, but other than that just had enjoyed taking
part in sports as a participant and this helped me fulfil
the role, just believe in yourself!
Also
any experience you have with working with children and young
people will be noted on the form and then we shall ask questions
to different senarios you have been in yourself, such as
helping others.
You
will sign a programme agreement and then within 2 weeks
of your interview you will hear back from CCUSA
as to whether you have been accepted and if so, sit back
and wait for directors to contact you, looking forwards
to the best summer of your life!
I am
here to answer any of your questions/queries/ concerns at
all and don't feel afraid to ask them, either on our summer
camp forum or through my e-mail address nicolaw@ccusa.co.uk
What
if I have more questions?
All
the general information about interviews should have been
covered here, but if you require more information e-mail
us or chat with other people in your situation on our message
forum.
Summer
Camp Guide
