Summer
camps are available throughout the world but are predominantly
located in the United
States of America.
There
are over ten thousand summer camps in the USA,
this tradition was first started by a man named Frederick
William Gunn, who after founding a boys' school in Connecticut
led twenty five boys on a two week camp out to a place called
Milford. Gunn's idea became very popular and soon the YMCA
and churches began to sponsor camps for young people.
Children
of all ages can attend summer camp no matter what their
social-economic background. Summer camps offer children
a place to learn new skills, take part in activities, have
fun and meet new friends.
Annually
over ten million children benefit from the summer camp experience,
and these include campers and staff who travel from all
over the world to attend the great American summer camp
experience.
There
are summer camp
jobs available around the world. You have the
option to work
at a summer camp in North
America or Worldwide.
Past
Staff Feedback
Why
did past staff decide to work at a summer camp?
Richard
Small was placed at Brant Lake Camp which is a predominantly
Jewish sports camp for boys aged 7-16. "It all began
in 2002 when i finished my A-levels and had decided to take
a year out, it would turn out to be a working holiday that
changed my life." To read more about Rich's experience
at summer camp
click
here
"Obviously
for the experience, it's something I've been interested
in doing for a good few years before I applied. I also wanted
to find out about myself in a way, so much so that I want
to live over there full time!" Matt
Evans, Coventry
North
America Summer Camps
Types
of Camp
You
could find yourself enjoying the time of your life at any
of them. You get the opportunity to choose which type of
camp you would like to go to, options include:
· Private
/ Independent Camps
· Agency Camps
· Religious Camps
· Girl Scout Camps
· Special Needs and Learning Difficulties Camps
Private / Independent Camps
These camps are usually owned by an individual or family.
They tend to attract children from more wealthy backgrounds.
Don't be suprised to find a famous movie star or sports
star dropping their children off by helicopter.
Agency
Camps
Usually owned by organisations such as the YMCA. They
have a real sense of community and spirit.
Religious
Camps
Predominantly Christian and Jewish camps, the religious
values are the main theme and some of these requite staff
to hold a strong religious belief.
Girl
Scout Camps
This camps are available for all girl scouts and staff are
almost always female.
Day
Camps
Children travel to camp on a daily basis and do not
stay over night.
Special
Needs and Learning Difficulties Camps
These types of camps are the same as other camps but
cater for children with mental or physical disabilities.
Summer
Camp Activities
Summer camp activities are different depending on what type
of camp you work at, if you want to become a counsellor
you could be instructing the following activities at camp:
·
Water activities - sailing, water skiing, swimming, canoeing,
bay studies, windsurfing, fly fishing
·
Land activities - archery, nature, outdoor living skills,
football, photography, mountain biking, arts and crafts,
cooking, dance and drama, fitness, lacrosse, basketball,
tennis, athletics, newspaper, jewellery, ropes and adventure
course, horseback riding.
Daily
Schedule
The
daily schedule of a Summer Camp depends on the management.
An average day at camp is usually as follows:
|
Time
|
Schedule |
|
7:45
|
Wake
up |
|
7:55
|
Flag
Raising |
|
8:00
|
Breakfast
|
|
8:30
|
Village
detail and cabin cleanup |
|
9:15
|
Cabin
or village activity |
|
10:15
|
First
activity period |
|
11:15
|
Second
activity period |
|
12:30
|
Lunch
|
|
1:00
|
Rest
Hour in cabin |
|
2:15
|
Second
period |
|
3:15
|
Third
period |
|
4:15
|
Free
Period |
|
5:25
|
Flag
lowering |
|
5:30
|
Dinner
|
|
6:00
|
Free
Hour |
|
7:15
|
Cabin
or village activity |
|
8:30
|
Showers
- younger villages
Socialising time older villages |
|
9:00
|
Devotions |
|
10:00
|
Lights
out younger villages |
|
10:30
|
Lights out older villages |
|
10:45
|
Free
Time |
|
Summer
Camp Poll
We have
recently conducted a range of summer camp polls on our message
forum, to view other polls please click
here
| Would
you recommend working at a summer camp? |
| Yes |
93% |
| No |
1% |
| Maybe |
6% |
FAQ
Forum Topics
Past
Counselor Feedback
"Its
quite funny actually because me and my best friend was at
a job fair, I just picked up a leaflet as a joke, and took
it home. Then I started to read it, and then just dismissed
the idea because I didn't think my parents would let me
go because its too long. My best friend then decides she
doesn't want to go anymore, but I'm still going. A lot of
people keep saying "for the experience", I want to go because
it is the first time in my entire life where I will be forced
to stand on my own 2 feet. i will be forced to plan my finance,
and I will be around people I have never met before, so
I can truly see what my strengths and weaknesses really
are. I'm doing this whole thing so I can understand myself
better, and increase my self confidence and also because
I know I will be around the most friendliest people in the
world at the same time." Charlotte,
Durham
"Well,
i always wanted to do it, from being about 13, and discovering
camp America online. I always wanted to work abroad, and
the job sounded so much fun. when i got to 18 I looked into
going, except at that time I had my own horse to look after,
and 2 full time jobs. so it was to complicated. then I went
back to college, then university, and the horse got sold,
and I had a summer of free time. I didn't fancy going back
to my sandwich shop job, and i wanted to use my time at
uni to the fullest, what better opportunity to travel. so
I applied and within 4 weeks i had been accepted with camp
leaders and got my placement on a camp. had the most amazing
summer, and am returning for my second year as a director."
Claire,
England
"I
applied through CCUSA and I've had a really good experience.
I applied really late but I had my interview straight away,
and they found me a camp a few weeks later. I was actually
really surprised how quickly they found a camp for me as
I have limited experience with children and I can't start
camp until June 21st due to exams - a lot of camp start
weeks before this." Charlotte, England
Have
you thought about encorprating working at a summer camp
as part of a gapyear?
Visit www.gapyearworldwide.com
for more information.
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