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Original poster

Camp America

581 replies

Lbet · 09/10/2024 08:10

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.

OP posts:
Banannanana · 06/07/2025 10:26

Thetrainer · 30/06/2025 00:10

Dd seems to have gone to a very strict camp. She is usually a trooper and not phased by much but this camp reads the mail they receive, makes them wear white on a Sunday for a “Spiritual ceremony!”

They have only one rest hour between 7am and 10pm and the day off is structured too. No free time as such.

She isn’t happy.

One hour off is completely normal for camp, some days we’d have zero. You’re there to look after the kids, someone has to look after them at all times, who would do that if the counsellors were off for hours a day?

Some camps have traditions, spiritual day sounds like a lovely little camp tradition, she needs to embrace it. What did she expect? We had to wear uniform all the time.

Whilst the structured time off sounds frustrating, our time off was also planned for us-kayaking, theme park visits, the state fair….all lovely things to do the camp organisers had planned for us. It may feel frustrating for her, but a lot of time had probably gone into planning these things. The reason we were given is so counsellors didn’t go off drinking alcohol (under 21, many of them) and getting into trouble. Americans are very strict about this. It’s a bunch of young adults/teenagers at the end of the day, used to being able to drink at home and many not quite understanding the severity of American alcohol laws.

Camp is hard work, tiring and busy….very little rest! But it needs to be embraced for what it is. All of this sounds perfectly normal and reasonable for what the experience is. It’s not a holiday or a chance to have a jolly-up travelling America. That comes after.

Lunde · 06/07/2025 11:28

Banannanana · 06/07/2025 10:26

One hour off is completely normal for camp, some days we’d have zero. You’re there to look after the kids, someone has to look after them at all times, who would do that if the counsellors were off for hours a day?

Some camps have traditions, spiritual day sounds like a lovely little camp tradition, she needs to embrace it. What did she expect? We had to wear uniform all the time.

Whilst the structured time off sounds frustrating, our time off was also planned for us-kayaking, theme park visits, the state fair….all lovely things to do the camp organisers had planned for us. It may feel frustrating for her, but a lot of time had probably gone into planning these things. The reason we were given is so counsellors didn’t go off drinking alcohol (under 21, many of them) and getting into trouble. Americans are very strict about this. It’s a bunch of young adults/teenagers at the end of the day, used to being able to drink at home and many not quite understanding the severity of American alcohol laws.

Camp is hard work, tiring and busy….very little rest! But it needs to be embraced for what it is. All of this sounds perfectly normal and reasonable for what the experience is. It’s not a holiday or a chance to have a jolly-up travelling America. That comes after.

Show quote history

I think you should read Thetrainer's update.

If you read the second post by @Thetrainer on 30/06/2025 09:00 she clarified some of the issues - the problem seems to be that her dd has been assigned to a very religious camp but it was not advertised as such. There is mandatory observance of this (non mainstream) religion where everyone is expected to participate in chanting to the spirits which conflicts with her dd's Christian faith.

The problem with the structured time-off is that 2 hours of of religious observance and chanting is compulsory even on the counsellors'' day off.

Banannanana · 06/07/2025 11:55

Lunde · 06/07/2025 11:28

I think you should read Thetrainer's update.

If you read the second post by @Thetrainer on 30/06/2025 09:00 she clarified some of the issues - the problem seems to be that her dd has been assigned to a very religious camp but it was not advertised as such. There is mandatory observance of this (non mainstream) religion where everyone is expected to participate in chanting to the spirits which conflicts with her dd's Christian faith.

The problem with the structured time-off is that 2 hours of of religious observance and chanting is compulsory even on the counsellors'' day off.

Show quote history

Right, but unfortunately that’s the reality of a religious camp.

Fair enough if she’s not enjoying what her camp is, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed a super religious camp either, but the original complaints mentioned are just what camp is, I’m afraid. Pretty much everyone’s child here will be experiencing similar things with lack of time off and rules around dress codes. Some stricter than others, granted, but I doubt this person is alone in these experiences.

I was just pointing out to the poster that this (what’s stated in the original post) wasn’t a unique experience she was having and is nothing alarming.

Lunde · 06/07/2025 13:07

Banannanana · 06/07/2025 11:55

Right, but unfortunately that’s the reality of a religious camp.

Fair enough if she’s not enjoying what her camp is, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed a super religious camp either, but the original complaints mentioned are just what camp is, I’m afraid. Pretty much everyone’s child here will be experiencing similar things with lack of time off and rules around dress codes. Some stricter than others, granted, but I doubt this person is alone in these experiences.

I was just pointing out to the poster that this (what’s stated in the original post) wasn’t a unique experience she was having and is nothing alarming.

Show quote history

Yes - but it was not advertised to counsellors as a religious camp. It was supposed to be non-religious.

Banannanana · 06/07/2025 13:39

Lunde · 06/07/2025 13:07

Yes - but it was not advertised to counsellors as a religious camp. It was supposed to be non-religious.

Show quote history

As I said, that’s fine, she’s entitled to not be happy about that.

But my point still stands that the complaints about time off and dress code rules are just the reality of camp. Alright, it may not be white for spiritual day, but we had to wear blue or red for capture the flag, wearing a certain colour for a certain event is the norm (and nice!)

The reason I responded is so other parents didn’t read the original comment and get alarmed, that’s what pretty much every young person at camp will be experiencing.

The real time to explore the country and do what you please comes after the camp. The camp bit is hard work.

liveinthesticks · 06/07/2025 13:47

I did Camp America in Arizona in 1993!! Absolutely loved it. I taught horse riding, it was really hard work, but such an experience. I made lifelong friends on camp & then during my travels. Can’t believe now at 18 I took the train by myself from LA to Newyork.

Bigearringsbigsmile · 06/07/2025 14:37

Ds has been promoted and given a room of his own!
He's delighted to have the extra privacy but a bit ...eek! About the extra responsibility .
He's really enjoying himself.

lorn195 · 06/07/2025 17:05

Bigearringsbigsmile · 06/07/2025 14:37

Ds has been promoted and given a room of his own!
He's delighted to have the extra privacy but a bit ...eek! About the extra responsibility .
He's really enjoying himself.

This is briilliant. DS2 also moved cabin when he was promoted to instructor. We had a tour when he did a video call. It’s so good to hear of everyone’s experiences.

DS2 is still loving it, he’s been driving as well (a Mercedes SUV 🙄) so they have been out and exploring more on the days off.

jamiejamiejamie · 06/07/2025 18:33

My dd is fine after her wobble about not fitting in. She messaged to say it was just a bad day and all is good. Phew. She’s enjoying herself just finding the food repetitive but is shopping up a storm whenever she can. She has two days off soon and she is staying in a motel. So happy she's ok.

Thetrainer · 06/07/2025 18:44

Just to update Dd seems to have settled again and decided she just has to get on with it.

I still think 7:15am to 11pm with a 1 hour rest break is too long but I appreciate if you are looking after kids it’s 24/7 really.

She seems to have had a better day off this week so maybe she was just having an off day.

Will be interesting to see if there’s another spiritual ceremony tonight after dark.

imsosotired · 06/07/2025 22:33

I’m glad to hear the kids that were struggling are finding it a bit more enjoyable now.
I’m hoping to have another FaceTime with my daughter soon. We do message daily, but I miss seeing her beautiful face. I’ve sent her a little gift to camp from Amazon, so I’m looking forward to her receiving that.
absolutely tragic news about the camp in Texas. It keeps playing on my mind.

DustRabbit · 07/07/2025 09:14

It does really vary between camps and roles within camp.

Where i worked, cabin counsellors were on duty pretty much 24/7 but with lots of downtime here and there but no scheduled rest time. Other staff, e.g. lifeguards, swim teachers, climbing instructors worked 12 hours a day with 2 hours off within that period and 2 days off a week but the working time was much more full on.

I know people who hated the first and loved the latter and vice versa.

Original poster
Lbet · 07/07/2025 22:21

My daughter is into her third week, second week with the camper kids. So far she is absolutely loving everything about it. They work Monday to Saturday lunchtime then off until the Monday Morning. Had text every day so far and FaceTime calls on a weekend, that is certainly making it easier with missing her. She sends lots of photos of allsorts.
So far so good🙏

OP posts:
Original poster
Lbet · 12/07/2025 06:39

My goodness where is the time going? My daughter will be going into her fourth week at camp this coming week and I know it is even longer for some of yours.

I seem to be coping quite well without her but i think that is because she does text everyday and video calls on a weekend. It does make it so much easier when you know they are hapoy.

How are your kids doing everyone?

OP posts:
lorn195 · 12/07/2025 06:50

Lbet · 12/07/2025 06:39

My goodness where is the time going? My daughter will be going into her fourth week at camp this coming week and I know it is even longer for some of yours.

I seem to be coping quite well without her but i think that is because she does text everyday and video calls on a weekend. It does make it so much easier when you know they are hapoy.

How are your kids doing everyone?

@LbetDS2 is home in a month, I can’t believe it either. He regularly sends photos (some at 5 am 🤦🏻‍♀️) but it’s great to see he’s having so much fun.

the first session went home on Wednesday, so there’s been a bit of a lull. He’s happy though as he’s now in a cabin of 4 instructors and no kids.

He had yesterday off (regular day off) so he and a few others went off out exploring. Today he has between 10-6 off as it’s visitors day for those who stay for the full session.

Apparently there is always plenty to do both off and on duty, so he’s never bored.

Camp America
OohhhhhBigStretch · 16/07/2025 19:29

Has anyone used Bunac?

turkeyboots · 17/07/2025 12:59

DD reports being eaten alive by bugs, sunburnt, shattered and scared silly by the coyotes in the woods, but is having a great time. Rather her than me!

Edited to add if anyone has used a shipping service for excess luggage? She was on her weight limit on the way out but has been shopping on all her days off!

bruffin · 17/07/2025 13:19

turkeyboots · 17/07/2025 12:59

DD reports being eaten alive by bugs, sunburnt, shattered and scared silly by the coyotes in the woods, but is having a great time. Rather her than me!

Edited to add if anyone has used a shipping service for excess luggage? She was on her weight limit on the way out but has been shopping on all her days off!

Edited

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RatherBeOnVacation · 17/07/2025 13:54

@turkeyboots It’s almost certainly cheaper to pay for an extra bag with the airline. Shipping from the USA is ridiculously expensive. My friend sent me a box of small gifts and food from Texas. It took five months to arrive and cost her $135…………

LadyTottingham · 17/07/2025 14:38

DD was just under her limit on the way out, so she is going to buy another bag/case whilst she is out there and pay BA’s extra baggage cost of £65 to bring it and its contents back with her.

JockyWilsonsaid · 17/07/2025 23:56

Hope everyone's DC are doing well. DD is also being eaten alive by bugs, she's getting a reaction to something, she thinks mosquito - she's covered in the most enormous bites. However one of the counsellors has been sent home with Lyme disease! Poor girl has been v poorly. DD only has 3 more weeks of camp to go, then she's off travelling 😱 She's still not sure she'll have company - she wants to go East then head back towards NY to fly home but she's the only one who wants to go that route. While I'm hoping she's not on her own, I also don't want her to change all her plans to accommodate others. We shall see. Most of her 'best' friends at camp are non EU, so she's now also planning travels further afield at a different time, as well as hoping to return to CA next year. I have pointed out she really needs to figure out finances first...

lorn195 · 18/07/2025 06:09

@JockyWilsonsaid DS2 is still doing well. We had call with him on Tuesday evening and he’s looking pretty chilled (and tanned).

He’s enjoying that he’s in a cabin with no kids, but still looking forward to having a lie in.

Four weeks and he’ll be home, can’t believe it.

foxandhounds · 18/07/2025 07:20

Mine only has 3 weeks left now, time has flown by. She has called often and seems to be really enjoying it. It’s been very hot and she’s looking quite sunburnt. Quite a few dramas with the kids so I think she’s getting some really good experience in lifeskills and working, seems to be using her lifeguard/first aid training more away from the lake than at it.
we also have the luggage issue as she was rammed full and overweight in the way out and has done quite a bit of shopping, so I’m looking into sending her an extra bag via Amazon and just paying for an extra checked in bag on the flight home.
on her day off this week the camp organised transport to a fantastic beach on the Maine coast which she loved, we
had a lovely long video call yesterday as it was thundering and raining and they were told to ‘shelter in place’ so she got lucky and got an hour in her cabin with no kids- although the rain was coming through the window and soaking her bed!
so pleased that they all seem to be enjoying themselves - will be so many tales to hear when they return I’m sure

Original poster
Lbet · 18/07/2025 09:04

Gosh can’t believe the time is running down so fast for some of our kids. My daughter has 6 weeks left, 4 weeks left with kids and then 2 weeks at the end to travel. I don’t seem too worried about that now, feel more excited for her.
With regards to extra luggage after shopping 🛒 have told my daughter to just dump stuff like towels, walking boots which we bought for £6 off vinted anyway. Hopefully make room stuff she has bought.

OP posts: