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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:
sunflowersblooming · 27/04/2025 22:12

I hope the ones going this year have the best time. I went via BUNAC over 20 years ago and was the best summer of my life. The children were brilliant, the atmosphere was so wholesome and positive and the food was good where we were.

We weren’t all so used to phones etc and the UK ones didn’t work in the US then anyway so we didn’t talk home much, just emailed.

i made some money even after travelling for a month after - we got quite generous tips from the parents!

made loads of international friends and brought home a boyfriend I went out with for 8 years!

Thetrainer · 30/04/2025 21:47

Dd’s camp organiser have only just applied for her J1 now. She hasn’t got the form back to book the appointment yet.

I am getting really worried it won’t all be sorted in time!

Bigearringsbigsmile · 02/05/2025 18:18

Ds has had his visa back and his medical form so he's all ready!
I can't believe he's going next week!

Longtimeworker · 02/05/2025 19:25

Bigearringsbigsmile · 02/05/2025 18:18

Ds has had his visa back and his medical form so he's all ready!
I can't believe he's going next week!

Good luck to him! Hope he has an amazing time. My daughter goes week after for her third camp.

Bigearringsbigsmile · 02/05/2025 22:44

Whereabouts is she going?

Longtimeworker · 04/05/2025 11:18

Just outside of LA. She’s returned to the same one each year. This will probably be her last one as she graduates next year.

@Bigearringsbigsmile

Original poster
Lbet · 05/05/2025 08:49

Didn’t realise how much there was to sort out if I’m honest. Hope my daughter has thought of everything, although our kids seem to be on it.

Visa
Medical form
Travel Insurance
Decent Phone Deal
Revolut card
Cash

Anything else to think about.

OP posts:
lorn195 · 05/05/2025 10:48

Lbet · 05/05/2025 08:49

Didn’t realise how much there was to sort out if I’m honest. Hope my daughter has thought of everything, although our kids seem to be on it.

Visa
Medical form
Travel Insurance
Decent Phone Deal
Revolut card
Cash

Anything else to think about.

I am sharing your pain. There seems to be something else every week but I am with you as DS2 is all over it. 😊

BingoBling · 05/05/2025 11:17

Lbet · 05/05/2025 08:49

Didn’t realise how much there was to sort out if I’m honest. Hope my daughter has thought of everything, although our kids seem to be on it.

Visa
Medical form
Travel Insurance
Decent Phone Deal
Revolut card
Cash

Anything else to think about.

Is she travelling directly to the US? If stopping off in Canada (as flights can be cheaper) then she will need another visa.
My dc found that out - it was relatively straightforward to sort it out in the airport but best to avoid that extra stress by sorting it in advance.

JockyWilsonsaid · 05/05/2025 11:45

3 weeks today for DD, eek! Lber - why a Revolut card? Can't they use their debit card?

lorn195 · 05/05/2025 14:38

JockyWilsonsaid · 05/05/2025 11:45

3 weeks today for DD, eek! Lber - why a Revolut card? Can't they use their debit card?

@JockyWilsonsaid I think DS2 said it’s the only card they would accept to pay their wages into plus it’s helps with exchanging pound to dollars. It’s multi currency card, so we could add money to the account and DS2 can change it to dollars on his phone. My DH has a similar card which he uses both here and abroad. It’s brilliant. I think the Revolut card has better exchange rates too.

Original poster
Lbet · 05/05/2025 15:46

lorn195 · 05/05/2025 14:38

@JockyWilsonsaid I think DS2 said it’s the only card they would accept to pay their wages into plus it’s helps with exchanging pound to dollars. It’s multi currency card, so we could add money to the account and DS2 can change it to dollars on his phone. My DH has a similar card which he uses both here and abroad. It’s brilliant. I think the Revolut card has better exchange rates too.

Edited
Show quote history

Yes that’s exactly why we recommend the revolut card to our daughter, we’ve always used one on our holidays abroad.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lbet · 05/05/2025 15:47

BingoBling · 05/05/2025 11:17

Is she travelling directly to the US? If stopping off in Canada (as flights can be cheaper) then she will need another visa.
My dc found that out - it was relatively straightforward to sort it out in the airport but best to avoid that extra stress by sorting it in advance.

Show quote history

She is travelling to Newark so quite straightforward.🤞

OP posts:
Original poster
Lbet · 05/05/2025 15:50

lorn195 · 05/05/2025 10:48

I am sharing your pain. There seems to be something else every week but I am with you as DS2 is all over it. 😊

Edited
Show quote history

Which camp is your son going to?

OP posts:
lorn195 · 05/05/2025 16:19

Lbet · 05/05/2025 15:50

Which camp is your son going to?

Show quote history

DS2 is off to Pinewood, North Carolina in 4 weeks time 😳

Original poster
Lbet · 05/05/2025 16:24

lorn195 · 05/05/2025 16:19

DS2 is off to Pinewood, North Carolina in 4 weeks time 😳

Edited
Show quote history

My daughter is off to New Jersey.

OP posts:
JockyWilsonsaid · 05/05/2025 16:41

Fab, thanks both for the info, shall check if DD is aware.

Longtimeworker · 10/05/2025 20:01

lorn195 · 05/05/2025 14:38

@JockyWilsonsaid I think DS2 said it’s the only card they would accept to pay their wages into plus it’s helps with exchanging pound to dollars. It’s multi currency card, so we could add money to the account and DS2 can change it to dollars on his phone. My DH has a similar card which he uses both here and abroad. It’s brilliant. I think the Revolut card has better exchange rates too.

Edited
Show quote history

My DDs camp pay her on Wisepay. She set it up when she was there. She uses a travel
wallet with Barclays pay for things in dollars.

thismummydrinksgin · 10/05/2025 20:03

I’m in my 40s and I did it. Agree you don’t do it for the money, but it’s an amazing way to travel, meet people and experience things in a safe controlled environment. I loved it and know kids who have done it since and also loved it

Bigearringsbigsmile · 11/05/2025 08:04

Just waved Ds off atvthe airport! That's it until August. Seems a long time!

JockyWilsonsaid · 11/05/2025 08:44

And so it begins! First one off, was he nervous? Exciting though, start of his adventure. Hope you are ok, must be a weird feeling going home without him. Mine doesn't want me taking her to the airport - while I obviously respect her wishes, I'm a bit sad about it.

Original poster
Lbet · 11/05/2025 19:05

Oh gosh and they are already starting going. How exciting for them please keep us updated on how they are getting on.

OP posts:
Bigearringsbigsmile · 11/05/2025 19:10

He was incredibly nervous!
We're currently tracking his flight on flight radar and hoping to god the contact atvthe csmp got the message thst his flight was delayed by two hours! He's do worried thst they won't wait for him snd he'll be stuck in new york snd hsve to find his way to rural pennsylvania alone!

He's not a kid- he'll be the oldest we think and he's lived alone at uni in London but it's still a worry!!

Bigearringsbigsmile · 11/05/2025 19:11

The house is SO QUIET!
Have started cleaning his room!

Lostinbrum · 11/05/2025 19:14

Awe it so lovely to see the next generation still going off to camp America. I'm 40 and went bout 20 years ago to a Jewish summer camp for kids with adhd and learning difficulties. It was absoloutly insane but I had the best time made great friends and went back backing round armerica after.. I'd recommend it to anyone, it was the making of me.