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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:
TheGrimSmile · 04/04/2025 07:05

I did it in 1995 and it was brilliant. You don't make much money, just enough to go out and buy a few nik naks. But all food etc is included. I think it's a great experience. When I did it, they used to have fairs in large venues dotted around the UK and you'd go and meet the different camp managers and they'd sign you up there and then. Not sure how it works now. You had to buy your own air ticket and insurance and if she wants to travel after, she'll need more money for that.

Original poster
Lbet · 04/04/2025 07:12

Yes my daughter was signed up there and then at a London fair. She will actually end up out of pocket slightly but she knew that before she signed up for it. She is definitely going for the experience.

OP posts:
RatherBeOnVacation · 04/04/2025 08:18

@Lbet Things might have changed but Camp America always used to have a hotel you could stay in the night before being collected by your camp / onward travel. If you took their flight inclusive package it was automatically included but there was an option to pay for a night if you were arranging your own flights.

It’s been over 10 years since I last did it though but worth looking to see if it’s still “a thing”.

Rollercoaster1920 · 04/04/2025 08:36

Do they still do work America? It was through Bunac but was seasonal work outside children's summer camps. I did that a long time ago and worked in a national park. Other options were Coney island and some other seasonal work.

Rollercoaster1920 · 04/04/2025 08:59

I just checked and they've separated it out into Jenza, post of the Dave group of companies.
https://jenza.com/experiences/working-holidays/work-usa-4-months/#Jobs%20+%20locations

National parks now only recruit US citizens. But working in a theme park for the summer would be cool too.

Investinmyself · 04/04/2025 14:50

My dc is going to Pennsylvania. She needs to be picked up at Newark - last pick up 3pm. Flying into JFK and staying overnight night before in Newark airport hotel that has a shuttle to airport. Still needs to sort visa. She just picked a date a few weeks after camp to return.
She’s been a girlguiding young leader and is at an all girl camp.

blackmousewhitetail · 04/04/2025 14:52

Absolutely do it.

We had our flights paid in those days

Investinmyself · 04/04/2025 15:07

DD’s option was flight paid and lower sum or higher sum pay own flight. If you got them to sort flight London was only option so she opted for diy - flight prices very reasonable.
The can enter up to 30 days before on visa so it’s not a problem to fly in day before.

Original poster
Lbet · 04/04/2025 20:12

Investinmyself · 04/04/2025 14:50

My dc is going to Pennsylvania. She needs to be picked up at Newark - last pick up 3pm. Flying into JFK and staying overnight night before in Newark airport hotel that has a shuttle to airport. Still needs to sort visa. She just picked a date a few weeks after camp to return.
She’s been a girlguiding young leader and is at an all girl camp.

Do you mind me asking which hotel in Newark it is please.
My daughter got a coach to London to the US Embassy last Friday to do her visa, it was all very straightforward.

OP posts:
PinkPonyClubber · 04/04/2025 20:28

Nothing useful to add but I knew someone who did it in the 1990s and she ended up in a ‘fat camp’ and the parents used to send packages full of treats (even though they paid a fortune for them to be there). The councillors checked all the mail and ate it all themselves.

FlatStanley50 · 04/04/2025 20:40

I did it through BUNAC in 1995, as a dishwasher. I was in Connecticut and had more freedom than the counsellors, but we were allowed off camp on nights off and had one weekend off each over the summer. I went into New York for mine. Definitely spent all the money I made during camp (due to the being allowed out to the pub in the evening thing!) so had to get more sent over for the travelling bit. Made loads of friends and travelled with 2 of them all round the USA by Amtrak afterwards. Got to try some of the activities (sailing etc) in my time off. Accommodation was in shared tents. It was enlightening being in small town America - and a good mix of nationalities on camp (loads of fellow brits). It was just like the movies, went to keg parties and everything. We were put up in a dorm of Columbia Uni before being picked up for the camps in my day. I would recommend it to anyone, I had the time of my life.

Perfectlystill · 04/04/2025 20:51

F

Downwardkitty · 04/04/2025 21:25

One thing your kid needs to know when doing Camp America, is that many of the kids will never, I mean never have been told "No". Just so they're prepared!

lorn195 · 05/04/2025 06:51

@Lbet my son was also at the embassy to get his visa for Camp America last Friday. He’s off to North Carolina at the beginning of June. One issue has been getting flights home as he finishes the camp 2 days before the flight.

Would appreciate any advice on any hotels and the cheapest way to get back to JFK.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 05/04/2025 07:16

I think you should look at other companies that offer the same. Ccusa and bunac both have summer camp programs.

Original poster
Lbet · 05/04/2025 08:01

lorn195 · 05/04/2025 06:51

@Lbet my son was also at the embassy to get his visa for Camp America last Friday. He’s off to North Carolina at the beginning of June. One issue has been getting flights home as he finishes the camp 2 days before the flight.

Would appreciate any advice on any hotels and the cheapest way to get back to JFK.

Oh wow isn’t that a coincidence.
The flights are proving to be a pain aren’t they?
How are you feeling about your son going? I am so excited for my daughter and really admire her ambition, can't deny being a little nervous though.
Is your son doing a gap year too?
My daughter has emailed the actual camp she is going to to let them know her flight situation and asked if they could recommend any hotels or youth hostels. Maybe worth your son doing the same.

OP posts:
lorn195 · 05/04/2025 08:11

Lbet · 05/04/2025 08:01

Oh wow isn’t that a coincidence.
The flights are proving to be a pain aren’t they?
How are you feeling about your son going? I am so excited for my daughter and really admire her ambition, can't deny being a little nervous though.
Is your son doing a gap year too?
My daughter has emailed the actual camp she is going to to let them know her flight situation and asked if they could recommend any hotels or youth hostels. Maybe worth your son doing the same.

Show quote history

@Lbetthe flights are definitely a pain! It’s frustrating as he’s been emailing the Camp America contact to ask whether he can stop over or provide any information on how to get to the airport and cheap accommodation. He’s heard nothing yet.

we will definitely look into your suggestions.

I'm really excited for him. He only decided to do it as a couple of his mates had already signed up, before we knew it had got an interview and passed.

He’s not having a gap year, but he has a very busy summer with Camp America, cricket at Lords and Reading festival. All before uni.

The paperwork is endless but he’s already paid off the money and is very happy that he has his visa. 😊.

Original poster
Lbet · 05/04/2025 08:18

lorn195 · 05/04/2025 08:11

@Lbetthe flights are definitely a pain! It’s frustrating as he’s been emailing the Camp America contact to ask whether he can stop over or provide any information on how to get to the airport and cheap accommodation. He’s heard nothing yet.

we will definitely look into your suggestions.

I'm really excited for him. He only decided to do it as a couple of his mates had already signed up, before we knew it had got an interview and passed.

He’s not having a gap year, but he has a very busy summer with Camp America, cricket at Lords and Reading festival. All before uni.

The paperwork is endless but he’s already paid off the money and is very happy that he has his visa. 😊.

Show quote history

What a wonderful summer he has planned, you must be very proud that he has made plans and not just sitting around.
What uni is he off to? My daughter is going to Liverpool Hope. My thinking is by her going to Camp America it will prepare me with her going off to uni😭😭😭I will miss her dearly.

OP posts:
lorn195 · 05/04/2025 09:24

Lbet · 05/04/2025 08:18

What a wonderful summer he has planned, you must be very proud that he has made plans and not just sitting around.
What uni is he off to? My daughter is going to Liverpool Hope. My thinking is by her going to Camp America it will prepare me with her going off to uni😭😭😭I will miss her dearly.

Show quote history

We are very proud of him, but this doesn’t surprise us one little bit as DS2 always has been focused on what he wants to do. He’s definitely not one to be lazing around.

DS2 is hoping to go to Marjon (Uni of Plymouth) which is brilliant for us as it’s only an hour and a bit up the road (we are in Cornwall).

We are now quite used to our boys being away, but we always will miss them. DS1 is at Uni in London and DS2 has always done Army Cadet and Scout camps, but it is lovely having them home and being so independent.

Investinmyself · 05/04/2025 12:19

@Lbet it’s just holiday Inn at Newark. Prices were ok were all the airport hotels and have shuttles.
I’m used to my dc being away at uni but it will be longest stretch I’ve not seen her.

StartingAgainFGS · 05/04/2025 12:30

Back in the day Camp America were seen as less good "organisers" of the experience than BUNAC but that info is 30 years out of date! I did it with the kitchen/maintenance arm of Bunac as I didn't have a specific skill to offer as a counsellor.
If your DC get on well and fancy going back, it becomes (slightly) more profitable each year you return to the same camp. I also moved into the admin office in my final year which was a cushy number compared to kitchen/maintenance
I hope they all have a great time!!

Longtimeworker · 05/04/2025 16:50

My daughter is returning to camp for the third year. Good luck to your daughter and hope she loves it as much as mine did. She always flies the day before and stays over. She says it’s good to just have a good sleep before being picked up and meeting everyone.
Coming home she books a return flight but last year she ended up the other side of America after travelling a few weeks so had to change the date and airport. It is tricky to know where they will travel but she’s always met people and gone with the flow. Unnerving as a parent the first time!

lorn195 · 05/04/2025 17:16

Investinmyself · 05/04/2025 12:19

@Lbet it’s just holiday Inn at Newark. Prices were ok were all the airport hotels and have shuttles.
I’m used to my dc being away at uni but it will be longest stretch I’ve not seen her.

Oh that’s a good idea. Thanks

JockyWilsonsaid · 06/04/2025 23:34

Has your DD joined the FB group for her camp? DD is off in May for the first time - the Facebook group for her camp is v busy and there's now a WhatsApp group for the British workers, so she's getting loads of chat and advice there.

Jamfirstest · 07/04/2025 15:40

I did ccusa for years and I worked for them for a while. I've told my dds they are going and that's that it's a hugely enriching experience! My calls were grey stone in nc and French woods in ny state. Incredible times!