Camping Out Ideas
Camp America Counsellor - experience? tips?
I'm going to apply next year to be a counsellor with Camp America and would love some inside info from anyone who's done it. I.e. How long are the days? Do you have to do really crappy jobs? Are you treated worse because you're English/foreign by the Americans? Am I gonna hate the spoilt rich kids? What are the conditions like, i.e. running water for showers etc? I like my comforts! Also, are there a lot of foreign counsellors or some American? Thanks!
Public Comments
- I think you have answered your own question.... but in my experience you have no freedom, & spoilt rich kids ? in america ? nah never.... Oh & the kids dont get our sence of humour either..
- Wow lots of questions there. I've been once and ended up on a camp for disadvantaged kids from NY city. It was run by a charity, so no spoilt kids there. Lots of troubled kids, but very worth while. You work long days, you are on call 24/7, but it's great fun most of the time. We got one weekend in a fortnight off, one full day, one half day and two nights. We spent most of the shorter break in a staff hut, watching videos and playing table tennis and stuff. With regard to crappy jobs, it wasn't too bad, there was an incident in the toilet when one of the kids made a real mess, but luckily for me one of the other counsellor's offered to clean it up. The worse thing I had to do was empting the humain mouse traps. Most Foreign staff are treated a little badly by the kids and staff, but you're lucky because they love the English staff, the accent gets them everytime. Most of the kids turn up with a chip on their shoulder, not wanting to be there at all and giving the staff grief, but by the end of it all they don't want to leave, and see you as their best mates. I had one kid who was a nightmare from start to finish, then on the last day just as he was about to board the bus, he gave me a big hug and told me he was really going to miss me. From what I saw of camps they all vary a great deal in conditions, they vary from tents with toilets a walk away, to very nice cabins with all mod cons. But one thing to bare in mind is that which every you are in, you are in a forest, or by a lake or whatever and there will be insects and other animals about. Snakes, bullfrogs, spiders, all sorts of insects even skunks! Most of the staff there are Americans, but I'd say about 15% were foreign, mostly brits, but also ausies, dutch, Kewis and canadians. All speak english, so don't worry about that. It's an awesome experience and I'd highly reccomend it to anyone, it'll be something you remember for the rest of life. Any other questions Just email me from my profile.
