Camp Canada

[Saisong]

Does anyone have any experience of young people doing Camp Canada?

DD 18 who is on a gap year (starts uni in Sept) and was planning on a backpacking trip to Canada has now seized on Camp Canada as an alternative. Apparently the visa/permits are way cheaper and easier than the US.

I believe from a bit of googling that the Camp Counsellor experience is much like the US. She is definately in it for the experience and knows that the money offered is just to offset her costs. She has an arts background (A level) and played for the local hockey club and was active in scouts so has offered those up as skills.

Sadly she missed the london recruitment fair which was 3/4 weeks ago. I'm not sure if she is just trying to do this too late - she is determinedly ploughing through the application though.

I'd appreciate any words of advice from anyone who has been through this experience. Or any reassurance that the young people have a great time and learn a lot on these camps!

My friends dd did this and absolutely loved it.

Thanks @Girliefriendlikespuppies that's good to hear.

If still love to hear from anyone else who might have been through this process.

My DD worked as a general counselor in Camp Canada a couple of years ago during her first summer break from university. She didn't go to the recruitment fairs either but seemed to be offered a job pretty easily. She was placed in Quebec, near Montreal at a Jewish-faith based camp. It was hard work but lots of fun. She said if she was doing it again she would try to get a more specialised role such as teaching a sport or something like that as she felt she might have had a bit more time off that way! But overall she loved it and met people from all over the world.

My DD20 has just been accepted. She is hoping to go to Quebec as she’s doing French at uni. They like you to have three ‘skills’ you can supervise or teach. She said her interview was great and she really enjoyed it, and her visa(?) came through just after the got the offer - so for her it was a smooth and relaxed process. She’s really looking forward to it 😁

Thanks for the replies, that all sounds reassuring. DD isn't afraid of hard work, but she is a bit worried she doesn't have enough of the right skills - she's now realising why it would have been a good idea to be young leader at scouts or volunteer with the hockey coaching!

Quite a lot of the camps seem to be faith based, which DD doesn't partake in - I assume it wasn't a problem for your DD @busygirl8888?

Also wasn't sure about a faith-based camp. My DD was clear at interview she doesn't practise a faith and she was told it wasn't a problem. I think in the end it was all fine and it was certainly a cultural experience! Lots of other members of staff were the same and they all mucked in. Lots of fun and a once in a lifetime experience from the sounds of it.