Beth Giles went to work at a summer camp and here she shares her experience and why Camp America is the best thing you can do this summer.
Applying to Work Abroad
I was set to finish school in May last year and I was looking to conquer the world, and that's what I did. I wanted to work abroad so I applied to do Camp America and got accepted.
I flew from London Heathrow to New Jersey which turned out to be the most amazing summer of my life. Not knowing anyone and what to expect, the nerves and excitement you experience are real but that’s the best part.
Arriving in the United States & Knowing I Make the Right Decision
When your two feet touch the ground and the heat hits you, you know you have made the right choice.
I set off on the Greyhound bus from New York City to Buffalo, yes the place with the best buffalo ribs you will ever try.
You are surrounded by like minded people, who are one the same journey as you and you are well and truly thrown into the deep end.
Meeting People from All Over the World
I was a camp counsellor at Camp Seven Hills, an All Girls Scout Camp. Driving up to the camp for the first time which you know will be your home for the next 3 months was exciting.
You suddenly arrive and there’s people from all over the world waiting to meet you who will become close friends when you share the summer together.
Getting Paid to Be a Sport Instructor
I was hired to work as a high ropes instructor and team building leader. I had pervious experience so I settled into the role quiet well but don’t worry because there are so many jobs and activities to choose from so you will be sure to find something you will love.
Making a Second Family & Experiencing American Hospitality
I lived in a little cabin in the woods with 3 other camp counsellors, some of which had been coming to work at camp for years.
They all game me little tips and tricks on how to make the most of my time there. I had the chance every weekend to stay with a host family, mine was the camp nurse who me in and treated me like a daughter.
She introduced me to all of her family and I got to live the life of a true American. I got to experience what it was like to live like one.
You Will Experience So Much
Throw yourself at everything you could possible do, more you put in the more you get back, I got to experience 4th of July, it was in the outback, and middle of know where on a huge farm, with a bath full of drinks, a bbq filled with all different types of meats, games for the kids and goats.
Everyone was enjoying themselves and it was one of the most amazing things to experience and then there were the fire works, as you could hear laughter and excitement that filled the air.
The Job is So Rewarding
The job its self is very long hours and you will be staying in cabins with the kids as well, so your never of duty, but its so rewarding, you will always be kept busy and have some many different challenges.
You will be given different ages groups and you need to be able to change and adapt your sessions towards this but I promise you will be taught everything you will need to know.
You Get to Travel
At the end of your placement, you will have up to 3 months to travel.
Take the chance to travel America because you may only get chance once so make the most of it. I got to see so much, I decided stick to the State of New York, as I wanted to see an much of it as I could.
My friends family also let me stay with them which made things easier. I went to New York City and Niagra Falls both in the day and in the night.... you have to experience both these amazing places.
You Can Return Again & Again
If you love doing Camp America that much you can do it over and over again with no limits to what you can experience.
Top Tips
You will need to pack so many different things as you just don’t know what the weather will be like, I witnessed a thunderstorm with no rain but was so hot you would never believe. DONT Forget Bug Spray. It will become your best friend.
Finally, take as many photos as you possible can because I promise the time flies so snap as many pictures as you can, write a blog or start a vlog and take a dairy so you remember everything. The highs, the lows and everything else in between. You won't regret applying.
By Beth Giles
Are you interested in a similar experience? View summer camp seasonal-jobs-working-holidays or search summer seasonal-jobs-working-holidays in the USA and start your application today!
Related Pages
