Laura S.

I remember when I was considering applying to Camp America, I was reading reviews like this one you are reading now. I was really just looking for somebody to shout out at me ‘'stop being a chicken, go on and do it!'' So I am going to do the same for you, whoever is reading this, this is my experience of Camp America. The things going through your head are probably ‘'ooh it's so scary flying off somewhere alone''. So my first answer to you is - you will have a harder job trying to avoid people wearing the same T-shirt as you in the airport. It's also highly likely that you will meet people from your camp in the airport on the same flight, as I did.
Secondly, you are probably looking for somebody to tell you exactly what you will be doing with yourself for nine weeks on a camp, full of kids! Like the anxious person I am, I tried to build up an exact image in my mind of what my camp will be like and what type of campers I want and what state I want to go to… You get my point. Be open minded, my actual camp experience could not be further from my expectations. It was way better!
So I was a General Counsellor on an underprivileged camp in Upstate New York. Most of my kids came from the homeless shelter system in New York City and until coming to camp had never left the city. I remember being told during orientation that a shocking thirteen thousand people sleep rough in New York City every night and eighty per cent of these guys such as my campers, have witnessed at least one violent event by age twelve. Both my coworkers and the children I worked with on this camp were truly inspiring, and it made my Camp America experience all the more special and unique! I would urge anybody applying to take that chance, be open minded and say yes to underprivileged camps, I wouldn't have had it any other way looking back now.
I decided to do Camp America because I was desperate to travel somewhere. Having explored a few other options Camp America seemed the perfect opportunity for a newbie to travelling. It offers you the freedom of travel with the security of Camp America supporting you all the way; and at the same time you're earning money, fully immersing into a culture and making life long friends who you will go off and find your travelling feet with after camp!
My ten weeks were filled by three action packed two-week sessions of camp. During this time I had taken care of fourteen girls in our little rustic cabin. Typical activities included swimming in the lake, most of our kids learnt to swim with us over the summer which was such a special moment in their lives to be a part of! Other activities included wild camp outs, campfires, hikes, sports, and I led a photography class with some campers which was so much fun! Although, I did have to apply a ‘no taking mug shots of your counsellor' rule. What I love about these kids is that despite their circumstances, like any other children they just enjoy the simplicities of running around and letting loose and having some fun with their friends. And knowing how much they appreciated their two weeks with you made you want to go out of your way and make it all the more special for them! One of my favourite days was our ‘'Christmas in July'' day. It was a bizarre experience hanging Christmas decorations in the woods at the height of summer but the kids got so excited, it just made you excited and there was such an amazing atmosphere on camp!
Between each session we had a weekend break and I would say the first break was the best! Traditionally on our camp we have a staff trip for the first weekend break, and so we organized a party bus to take all of us three hours down to Atlantic City in New Jersey for some Sun, Sea, and all the junk food we could eat! The best thing in America is that hotel rooms are booked by the number of beds not by the number of people, so we crammed the entire staff into three hotel rooms, which wasn't so nice when all the Brits got struck by severe sunburn (myself included), and sleeping in those beds that night was like trying to avoid the metal edges in a game of ‘Operation'.
For my second weekend break, myself and some friends stayed on camp to save money and took a day trip to New York City where we successfully hit every tourist spot on Manhattan in a day! After camp, I became very good friends with a girl from New Hampshire, who kindly put me and another friend up for a few days. It was a beautiful place! I truly think NH is a state that belongs in the south, it's what I consider some ‘'proper America''. With only a week of travelling time before heading back to start University, my friend and I headed back to New York for our remaining few days. We met up with some local staff from camp who showed us off the beaten track. We went to Chinatown, walked the Brooklyn Bridge, went shopping and even met another friend who lived on Long Island. Unfortunately, (or, just to make sure I lived up to the tanning expectations of somebody who has spent two months in the States), I got full body sunburn for the second time the day before we flew home. Not recommended!
So here it is, STOP BEING A CHICKEN, GO AND DO IT! Camp America gave me so much, and I have never looked back! I wouldn't be a second year Brand Manager if I really didn't believe in this amazing experience, and all you will get from it! Get out there and go and have the summer of your life!