Camp America

[Lbet]

Are there any parents whose kids have done camp America?

My daughter is currently taking a gap year before going off to uni next.
She is really interested in doing camp America next summer.
We have had a good chat with a student who has just been for his second summer in a row. We have had loads of useful tips and advice from him. He did say you don’t do camp America for the money because you actually end up being out of pocket and you do it for the experience.
That suits my daughter fine as she is definitely wants to do it for the great experience.

Just wanted to know if anyone’s child has been and if you can tell me about their experience.

Thanks in advance.

DS2 is loving it. The kids arrived last Sunday and he’s been busy. He said that some are really good but others, he finds annoying.

it’s seems that he’s spending most of his free time on the lake, jet skiing with his new mates. Slightly jealous as it’s looks really lovely out in North Carolina, despite the heavy downpours and thunderstorms.

Buy bug spray when she’s over there. My children go to camp in Pennsylvania and they use “Off”. There’s also not that big a problem at their camp and don’t need to really use it.

@lorn195 He’s very lucky. A lot of camps don’t let counselors use jet skis etc in their free time!!

@RatherBeOnVacation DS2 was made an instructor after 2 days of being at the camp, so I guess that’s why he was able to use the jet ski.

That's still strange.

Lifeguards at the local outdoor pools have to be able to swim widths and lengths (50 metre pools) within a certain time limit and dive to the bottom of the diving wells, retrieve weighted objects and bring them to the surface. They're all local teens aged 16+. They do CPR as part of the training, which only happens if they pass the timed swim.

Both my DC did their NPL and DD was also qualified as lifeguard and swim teacher in Camp America .
The NPLQ is a full week course with exams on Saturday.
The prerequisite are

• Jump/dive into deep water
• Swim 50 metres in less than 60 seconds
• Swim 100 metres continuously on front and back
• In deep water, tread water for 30 seconds
• Surface dive to the floor of the pool
• Climb out unaided without ladder/steps and where the pool design permits

Find a Lifeguard Course near you!

Although DD was qualified in the Uk she still had to qualify in USA and i am sure there were some who failed.

Lookout at Heathrow, there will be a few others travelling out.

DD came back exhausted (she was SN counselor at an integrated camp as well as lifeguard) swore she wouldnt go back, within 3 weeks she was planning the next year. She went back a second time and then was promoted to come back a 3rd time but covid hit and she couldnt go back.
Her flat mate for the last 2 years has been a girl she met out in US who came from out town!

Wishing your daughter a safe journey @Lbet. It’s strange not having dd here. I feel like she’s staying at a friends house and she’ll be back soon. She’s sent a few Snapchat videos, but we’ve not spoken as much as I’d like to. She’s too busy having fun! I did think today she looks so healthy and happy in the video, which warmed my heart.
it’s lovey to hear the updates from the other kids too.

@imsosotiredagree with this. It’s odd not having DS2 around especially talking about football 🤣. It’s very quiet (though the house is clean).

we are on WhatsApp so he messages and sends photos when he can, though would love a call with him.

@Lbet hope your daughter too has a safe journey.

Yes apparently my daughter has arranged to meet up with a couple of others who are going to her camp so that is quite reassuring.

Thank you I just want tomorrow to come as odd as that may sound. It seems it has been months of my daughter planning this trip and it has been great seeing it all come together.
She is so excited to get going now and just wants to get going.

I have told her I don’t expect her to always be in touch but I just want to know that she has reached her group at Newark airport and then to send pics of her having a great time.

I am going to have so much time on my hands which I am quite looking forward to. Hoping to get stuck in with a good houseclean and then some decorating.

I will let you all know how tomorrow goes seeing her off ay Heathrow.

Well that’s my daughter on her way now. The send off wasn’t as sad as I thought it would be, I had a little cry but she was far too excited to be sad. Can’t wait to hear she has found her camp staff when she reaches Newark. Heading back home to have a chilled day.

This was me a couple of weeks ago at the hotel at Heathrow. Gave DS2 a big hug before we left. I think if it wasn’t for DS1 being there I would have been in bits.

@LbetHave a lovely chilled afternoon. Think of all the lovely adventures she will have out there and before you know it she will be back home.

How exciting for her and well done you for seeing her off, i felt much better when mine had reached camp.
Been nearly 2 weeks now - It does fly by, they’ll all be back in no time at all with lots of tales to tell I’m sure.
Enjoy your free time and make sure you do some things just for you

Awww thank you all, its great to have others to chat to who know exactly how you feel.

I have to say I am absolutely shattered and have so enjoyed a chilled afternoon. I have bought a bottle of Prosecco to have in the garden later.
I have been clock watching editing for 4pm when my daughter arrives in Newark.

She has arrived and met up with her camp staff. Now She’s can relax and have a chill in the garden with my Prosecco👌

@lbet❤️.

Think I was a bit excited last night when I typed that, it was me with my Prosecco in my garden😂

Hope you enjoyed the prosecco! Glad DD arrived safely. It's a relief to know they are in one place now. Hopefully she settles quickly and has a great time.

My DD is touching down in New York as we speak. It’s been a traumatic day emotionally, she has taken far too much luggage and what seemed a very grown up 19 didnt seem the same at the airport

Well it’s happened, DS2 has had an accident during camp. I had hoped that the (accident prone) teen would have sailed through the next few weeks unscathed, but no.

He got his hand trapped while out on the lake, between boats, he knew instantly he had broken something. Fortunately he and a couple of others managed to get the kids back to the lakeside (he was calmer than they were).

quick trip to A&E (American style) he’s back in camp, resting for a couple of days. He’s splinted up and taking painkillers but only ibuprofen. Will be back instructing by the weekend.

its been quite stressful for DH and I but at least he seems ok. Thank goodness for travel insurance and the camps insurance.

@lorn195 hope he feels better soon.
My dc was supposed to be picked up 1pm from airport and is still waiting. She’s all checked in with them and a big group of yp are waiting together, sounds like a shambles with coaches. She seems fine and good way to get to know people I suppose, said they had played uno. The camp cllrs group chat is asking them to tell their parents they are ok and for parents not to call the office.

@Investinmyselfthanks!

this too happened when DS2 arrived. He was told 2 hours but it ended up nearly 4 before the school bus picked them up.

thankfully there was a group of them so they just sat around and chatted.

@Investinmyself Not calling the camp office is the best advice. Think about it - if they started a new job in the UK you wouldn’t be phoning the office to check they got there ok 😂😂😂😂

All it takes is some bad weather, an accident on the highway, or an absent driver to screw transport up. Bus drivers are like gold dust during summer camp season - transport was one of the hardest jobs at the camp I used to work at.

Your young people have taken the amazing decision to spend their summer doing something brilliant. They are adults and are going to be looking after other people’s children. They should also be respectful of you and make sure they let you know they’ve arrived safely and check in at various points to keep you sane.

Oh no I bet that was tough on you all. Bet she has forgot all about it now and having a great time.

Oh good what a worry for you. Adults or not he is your kid and you must be so worried especially when you heard.
However this will be a great testing time for him now and how he deals with it. It sounds like he is all sorted and resting up a bit. Has difficult has it is not to worry just remember it sounds like it is all taken care of.

Thank god for that travel insurance. X