Anyone's DC worked at Camp America? Spent a summer doing similar abroad?

[Miljah]

Posting here for traffic.

DS2 is considering this for next summer. Can he have your opinions and experience, please?

My DD did it a few years ago and had an amazing time. It is expensive initially, and the costs were her 18th birthday present. As others have said you don't make much, but it was enough for her to travel for 3 weeks after. She was a camp counsellor, and worked with children with medical conditions, SN and those from deprived backgrounds. It was exhausting, backbreaking work at times, with few breaks on some days, however she loved every minute. She made lifelong friends, and it has also been really useful for her CV, job applications.

You get details of all the camps you can apply for, so you can narrow down potential choices. It's important to choose a camp where you will be comfortable, eg many of them are very religious, which would not necessarily suit someone who isn't. My DD had made a shortlist, and then went to a recruitment fair, and ended up being approached by a different camp who needed the particular skill she has. I would definitely recommend it, and she has since been approached by the camp to go back again, this time to be employed directly by them, but unfortunately wasn't able to.

Yes the job fair is great- really recommend that if London’s easy to get to.

Can anyone link to the job fair, please?

DS is aware that he won't make much money, if any out of it- it'd be for the experience.

Thanks for all the replies so far!

I've googled but the 'Ad' ones come up with 'Hey! Cool! Register Now!!!!! - um, No. Not til you tell me a bit about yourselves.

Who are reputable?

www.campamerica.co.uk/costs/applying/camp-fairs

This is what my DD went to. You get a lot of the paperwork done first, then find out more about the individual camps at the fair. Many people get taken on there and then (obviously providing the camp and the applicant are happy).

My DD has done the last two summers in Maine at summer camp teaching Art. The first year she was a bit last minute and applied and was interviewed online. The second year the camp invited her back direct so she has been paid much more because the camp didn't have to pay the agency (BUNAC).

She has loved it, found it very hard work but very enjoyable. She's made great friends from all over the world (some popped over for new year) and done loads of travelling in North America and Mexico.

I think it's really straightened my DD out too: taught her loads of new skills, upped her confidence and broadened her horizons from the rather hedonistic, druggy crowd she was in with at uni. It's also changed her ideas about a future career.