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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu about Camp America 'Underprivileged Camp'

120 replies

Vixxfacee · 28/01/2016 16:37

Can you let me know if I am being unreasonable about this and if so why.

I was looking through Camp America's website.
They have different camps and one that was called Underprivileged Camp caught my eye. Purely because I can't believe that it would actually be called that.

I clicked on it and I see a black child with a white working (presumably a privileged person ) plus numerous black children swimming in a lake.

The page warns that the camp will be more rustic (more like shitter ) than the other camps.

I am all for children from less well off backgrounds being included but I am pretty shocked that they are being grouped together in a 'rustic' camp rather than all camps being equal and all children together.

This is the website campamerica.co.uk/the-experience/types-of-camp/underprivileged-camps

Not sure how to link on my phone.

Thoughts?

OP posts:
fidel1ne · 28/01/2016 17:33

www.campamerica.co.uk/costs/costs-process-explained/first-timer-costs

'Volunteering' costs £752!

Krampus · 28/01/2016 17:33

One of the groups that was allowed to use the facilities after the regular camp was closed was called Blind Camp. That was the actual official name chosen by the charity itself. Yes, you guesed right it was a camp for blind children Grin

Krampus · 28/01/2016 17:36

Blimey, those costs weren't around when I did it, we had a smallish registration fee but flights etc were paid for. At the end we were given a small wage, enough to help with travelling after. I had the good fortune to end up in the adult section twice and got great tips.

Hamiltoes · 28/01/2016 17:38

Fidel if its the same scheme as a friend of mine did, yes you have to pay an initial outlay but you get an allowance while there and a long holiday at the ended to tour parts of the US. I think its a cheapish way of going travelling in America.

fidel1ne · 28/01/2016 17:42

I think its a cheapish way of going travelling in America.

I'm sure it is.

At the end we were given a small wage,

I'm sure you were.

i still wonder how all that stacks up against the standard camp's fees and their annual profits, TBH.

MorrisZapp · 28/01/2016 17:43

Yabu

That's a brilliant scheme.

ChipsandGuac · 28/01/2016 17:45

I've volunteered with an agency that raises money to support these camps. If you want to see the standard of facilities improve, OP, pm me. I'm happy to give you all the details of where and how you can donate. Feel free to let them know that their use of the American English language offends you Grin

Krampus, that is one of the things I find strangest about living here. I have friends who are really lovely people and great parents, who think nothing at all about spending thousands and thousands of dollars sending their children, some as young as 7, away for the summer while they go and do something else together. It's what their parents did so they do it. They think I'm the weird one for having to come up with things for my kids to do all summer, especially if it involves me camping too!

fidel1ne · 28/01/2016 17:47

Do the kids not get upset by being at 'underprivileged' camp chips?

Hamiltoes · 28/01/2016 17:48

Fidel Yes, most of them are buisnesses. And the aim of most buisnesses is to make a profit. And if they can charge people £700 to do a relatively easy, fun job in a place they want to go with added perks such as pocket money, food, board, and time to travel at the end then why wouldn't they? Hmm

hefzi · 28/01/2016 17:52

There's a "holiday week" for under-privileged/at risk children in a village near where I grew up: they "camp" in the church hall, have picnic lunches every day and spend the afternoons at various people's homes, doing activities etc before having dinner. The children have a fantastic time, and certainly don't think they've been given a "budget" option (all the staff are volunteers, people provide the meal and activities as a donation, local stores provide food for the picnic lunches and breakfasts, there's no charge made for the hall etc) - instead, they are delighted to make new friends, experience the countryside (they are all from a city about 1 1/2 hours drive away) and have a lot of fun away from siblings/parents/care etc

I think this advert is aimed at volunteers, so they know the situation (rather than advertising the camp Hmm)

Original poster
Vixxfacee · 28/01/2016 17:57

Holiday week is different to the name Underprivileged Camps.

Using all black kids with a white volunteer doesn't look good.

Some of the phrases used on the page weren't great either.

Blind Camp is in very bad taste too.

OP posts:
fidel1ne · 28/01/2016 17:57

Fidel Yes, most of them are buisnesses. And the aim of most buisnesses is to make a profit. And if they can charge people £700 to do a relatively easy, fun job in a place they want to go with added perks such as pocket money, food, board, and time to travel at the end then why wouldn't they?

Put it this way, Hamil; A business/industry which;

a) Charges parents hefty fees to provide the primary service

b) Uses almost free labour in large quantities to provide that service and.

c) Accepts external sponsorship to provide an inferior version of their main service to a small number of poor children...

has a Corporate Social Responsibility problem and potentially a PR issue.

x2boys · 28/01/2016 18:00

its just words ds is going on holiday at easter with a charity to france its predominantly for children with disabillities whilst ds doesnt have any disabillties ds2 does so thats why hes going its a social need , ds,s holiday is free too.

fidel1ne · 28/01/2016 18:01

A good comparator in Europe would be Au Pairs (both entail travel, work experience, time off to socialise and 'pocket money' for the young person). Making any charge to an Au Pair in the UK/Europe or expecting them to cover any costs related to Au Pairing would be considered unethical and dodgy.

Original poster
Vixxfacee · 28/01/2016 18:03

X boys what is it called?

OP posts:
x2boys · 28/01/2016 18:04

its a trip to lourdes with hcpt.

Hamiltoes · 28/01/2016 18:10

Isn't "CampAmerica" just a middle man in pairing would-be volounteers with camps though?

The parents pay for camp, the children enjoy camp.

The UK students pay towards flight and travel expenses, the american camps get enthusiastic young workers.

The enthusiastic young workers get food, board, a once in a lifetime experience of a different culture and country, whilst helping out (and participating in themselves) sports, water activites, etc. They then have enough money to travel a bit around the US and gain even more experiences. It looks great on a CV etc.

I'm really struggling to see who the loser is in this situation? The two guys I know did this between their sports science HND and starting employment in leisure centers. It was most definitely up their street and they both raved about it.

And if a few underprivileged kids get a chance to experience things they never usually would then how is that a bad thing? Who is this hurting? HmmConfused

fidel1ne · 28/01/2016 18:16

I imagine it is owned/founded by the camps, don't you?

The 'volunteers' lose by £752 each that otherwise would have had (whether they apparently care or not is hardly the point).

Other US charities lose by the amount of sponsorship sponsors provide to fund 'underprivileged week' that the camps could easily fund themselves.

And the underprivileged DC lose by not geeting the full summer camp experience.

vulgarbunting · 28/01/2016 18:17

I think you have got the wrong end of the stick here. The camps in America are privately run, and use Camp America to source international employees. I very much doubt that is the actual name of the camp, and is just a descriptor for Came America to use.

LionsLedge · 28/01/2016 18:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChipsandGuac · 28/01/2016 18:22

Fidel, When you're growing up in a neighborhood that's seen upwards of 30 shootings in 2016 already and you don't get to go the doctors when you're sick as your parents can't afford insurance or a co pay or can't apply for Medicare as they have no papers to say they live here legally, I would imagine you're more than aware of how under privileged you are.

OTheHugeManatee · 28/01/2016 18:24

However, the US could use a lesson or two in PC terminology couldn't they.

Seriously? They fucking invented PC terminology Grin

MrsFionaCharming · 28/01/2016 18:25

I think a few people are missing that Camp America (like BUNAC and Camp leaders) is little more than an employment agency. They find you a job, and sort your visa for a fee. None of that money goes to the camps, in fact they may also be charging a 'finders fee' from the camp.

Lots of camps of all kind register with C.A., and you can choose which types you're interested in being considered for when you sign up with the agency. For example, I said I'd love to work at a Girl Scout camp, but wouldn't want to work at a religious camp.

Camp America are not providing an inferior service to underprivileged children, they're providing the same level of staff to all the camps they work with.

fidel1ne · 28/01/2016 18:27

I think it's just a difference in approach and culture maybe Chips. I do some work on a big estate (project) fitting that description here in London and it's just not something you would say or call a scheme. It would offend here.

bruffin · 28/01/2016 18:28

Fidel1nee
The 752 includes flights out there and they get paid about the same at the end, a little bit more if you have extra skills ie lifeguard, special needs experience etc
My dd was going to do it this year but the dates clashed with her exams