Stories
from BUNAC Participants
Doing
the things we love...
Rob - BUNAC,
Summer Camp USA
Summer
Camp USA allowed me to do the thing I love - play basketball
- as well as teach, travel to America and meet new people.
I wanted to do something that would be an experience of
a lifetime. The whole experience definitely lived up to
my expectations and even tripled them! Now that I'm back
in sunny old England I realise what a time I had, telling
the same story to hundreds of people because they are so
interested in your summer in America and seeing how people
respect you more because of your experience.
My role
was to coach basketball to whoever signed up for it, and
would also assist in other activities, ranging from archery
to fishing to the musical that the camp put on. I also had
to referee the kids' inter-camp basketball games. I was
counsellor of a bunk too, which involved putting the kids
to be and sleeping in the same bunk as them. Making sure
they got washed and put clean clothes on, basically being
a parent for 9 weeks!
A highlight
was definitely the time I went on an overnight with my bunk
and the other senior campers and went hiking up a 3 mile
course. It was hard and hot, the kids were moaning, it was
stressful, but we coaxed them on. When we got to the top,
everything was quiet. The boys were silent, a sense of accomplishment
filled us and we just stood there, taking in the view -
we could see for miles. It was amazing. Maine is such a
beautiful state. The staff soccer and basketball games were
also great: England vs. the World in Soccer and America
vs. the World in Basketball. The Americans got beat at both
sports and were less than happy!
Travelling
around America after camp was as amazing as camp was. I
saw parts of America that I would have never have gone to
with parents or family. I would recommend Summer
Camp USA to anyone who wants to travel and see the real
America.
Loving
every minute of camp...
Lauren - BUNAC,
Summer Camp USA
My experiences
working at summer camp has been everything and more than
I could have ever expected, although sometimes challenging
and tiring, it has also been rewarding, hilarious, and amazing
in everyway! I have met so many people from all over the
world that will be friends for life and had experiences
that will stay with me forever. I also got a pretty awesome
tan every year and can honestly say I was never ever bored!
When
I decided to go to camp I investigated all of the different
organisations and decided to go with BUNAC
based on recommendation and price! I was really happy with
all of the support that BUNAC
gave me in the lead up to my departure, especially with
the scary things like visas and the U.S embassy visit!
I worked
in an all girls traditional summer camp as a Windsurf Instructor,
Zip Line Instructor and cabin counsellor, this basically
meant that I taught 4 or 5 periods a day of either zip line
or windsurfing to the campers aged 8 - 15 and then lived
in a cabin with campers aged 11 for 4 weeks and 13 for 4
weeks caring for their everyday needs. This could involve
anything from being a friendly face to making sure they
organise their laundry and eat properly.
The
role of cabin counsellor involves living in a cabin with
camper's, the cabins in my camp typically hold four - six
campers and one or two counsellors depending on the staff
and the campers. The cabins are made of wood and are basic
but charming, especially when all of the campers have their
belongings inside. The campers have bunk beds and the staff
single beds, because of the climate the windows are less
windows - more wire mosquito nets but there are shutters
available for inclement weather. The beauty of living in
a cabin at my summer camp is that you begin to really feel
at one with nature because it is literally all around you.
The
highlights of my trip included being able to spend my whole
summer working outside in a unique environment, teaching
activities that I love. I also met people from all over
the world and learnt about parts of the world I had never
really thought about before and made friends for life in
places like Australia - so I can't wait to go and visit
them when I graduate! I also really appreciated the ability
to travel after, something I didn't think I would be able
to afford whilst at University but I managed to see San
Francisco, Portland Oregon, Vancouver, New Jersey, New York,
Boston and Cape Cod. I also came home every summer with
a better tan than all of my friends!
The
most difficult part of the trip was taking the plunge and
actually going for it, the days leading up to my departure
date were really stressful as I packed and worried about
what it would be like and if I had packed everything I needed
and if I would make new friends, like the job, like the
food, etc. But once I said goodbye to my family at the airport
and got on the plane it was just really exciting and I couldn't
wait to get there. There were also times during the summer
when I felt homesick and over tired, but there were always
people there to pick me up and make me feel better until
I realised that I really wouldn't be having nearly as much
fun at home as I had been having working at camp.
After
camp, I travelled with camp friends, we got dropped in Boston
and decided to stay 3 nights in the city in a hostel, we
then took a coach to the coast and stayed in Hyannis in
Cape Cod in an 'econo lodge' with beautiful beaches and
blue skies! From there we travelled to New York City and
went our separate ways as my friend from home flew out to
meet me and we spent a week in a hotel.
Do a
BUNAC program, they are amazing and can change your life!
My
Summer Camp USA experience...
Adam
- BUNAC,
Summer Camp USA
I knew
from early on I wanted to take a gap year; the prospect
of travel was always enticing. Also I just couldn't bare
the thought of going straight from my school career to another
stage of education without a break. As such I got involved
in Summer Camp USA, working at a camp in Connecticut, mainly
on the waterfront. After working here I headed off on a
coast to coast road trip of America.
I've
got lots of favourite moments from the summer, but one experience
that stands out involved me getting one of the kids, who
cried and screamed just at the sight of the swimming pool,
to gain water confidence and to swim (even if it was a doggy
paddle). Seeing him playing and laughing around with the
others on the last day really filled me with a sense of
achievement. One of my other favourite moments was an evening
in Monument Valley - local Navaho Indians took us to the
best spot to watch the sun rise, and just as it pierced
the sky they played a flute that filled the whole valley!
Amazing.
At risk
of sounding extremely corny, during my time away I learnt
so much about myself. Like so many people my age I had absolutely
no idea what I wanted to do, or in what direction I wanted
to point my life. Seeing that there is so much diversity
in the world really helped put things in perspective. I
also developed my leadership skills and having so many kids
to look after 24 hours a day I feel confident in any situation
working with children.
Besides
the moral rewards I gained from working at camp during the
summer, going with BUNAC,
the only not for profit company I came across, meant I earned
a decent wage for my hard work. This was very helpful as
it provided my spending money for the travelling I did after
camp allowing me to take up the once in a lifetime opportunities
e.g. sky diving over Las Vegas and flying through the grand
canyon in a helicopter. It was also good to know that all
the work you put in was being rewarded.
To anyone
considering a gap year, I would say to consider it carefully
as it is a big personal decision - but you have to ask yourself
when else you will get the opportunity to go and work, travel
and experience other parts of the world you want to explore.
In light of that I would say seize every chance you get,
try everything, and take everyone up on their offers, even
if it's just a place to stay! If you are new to travel I
would highly recommend BUNAC's
Summer
camp USA programme as it provides a good base for travel,
allowing you to adjust to the culture and earn pocket money.
It's also a very easy hassle free process with most of the
application being online at bunac.org. Stay open minded
and have fun in everything that you do!
Life
at camp...
Mark, BUNAC
Summer Camp USA
Camp
this summer has been really good - as it is my first time
to America it has been cool to experience the culture and
people over here!
BUNAC
were awesome in doing everything needed to prepare me for
camp and the pre-departure orientation back at home was
great, especially because my camp director was there talking
about camp!
When
we got to America we were greeted at the airport by a rep
for BUNAC
and were then taken to a hostel in New York City - it was
awesome! At camp the first week was spent at orientation
with the camp preparing us for the kids arrival. We also
played lots of fun games so that we could get to know our
fellow counsellors, this included being in teams for competitions
where teamwork was vital! It has led me to form many great
relationships with fellow counsellors from places all over
the world including the UK, USA and Australia. This is mainly
because everyone over here is so approachable and you get
along from the word go! Many of my friends and I have already
talked about meeting up once camp is over and also to travel
around America together!
The
camp itself is beautiful, we have a huge lake and over 300
acres of land which has many different sports facilities.
The facilities are fantastic and are maintained very well
by staff, as I am a soccer specialist I can say that the
pitches have been maintained to a great standard! The food
here is also really good even though there are around 600
children and 260 staff to feed - it's is still at a very
high quality!
The
children at camp can be challenging but you also have some
very 'wicked' times with them, I have already bonded with
many of the campers and it gives you great satisfaction
when a camper comes up to you and says how cool you are
and how much they liked your session!
After
camp itself has finished I am hoping to go to Miami with
a few of the guys that I have met, which itself tells you
how good the relationships are that you get with fellow
counsellors.
Overall
so far camp has been great and I would highly recommend
coming over here as it is an opportunity of a life time!
Although there can be some challenging moments you have
fellow counsellors to help you bounce right back up again,
which is a great feeling to have.
Camp
+ teaching = a great combination! Kirsty
- BUNAC, Summer Camp USA
Working
at an American Summer Camp with BUNAC is a great way to
get good experience working with children if you are thinking
of, or are, studying to become a teacher.
I worked
at Camp Sesame/Rockwood, a camp near Washington DC which
catered for disadvantaged children. Having come from different
backgrounds to myself, the kids were challenging sometimes,
but I soon learnt to understand and help them. Camps provide
a safe environment for kids to forget any troubles and just
be a child. The best thing is the fun you have with the
kids! From mud face paint to jumping in the lake fully clothed,
at camp you learn to take advantage of your 'inner child'!
I worked
at camp whilst studying for my PGCE at Nottingham University
and the time I spent at Summer Camp USA was really valuable
to my teacher training. I was confident in my own ability,
which really helped when stepping in front of a new class
of fourteen year-olds! Camp is great for getting to know
young people as themselves; to have fun and enjoy their
company, ideas and enthusiasm. I think in a classroom it
is easy to forget that sometimes.
I feel
so lucky to have had the opportunity to work at an American
Summer Camp. Camp not only let me travel, meet great people
and have a brilliant summer, but taught me skills that have
helped me every day of my teaching career so far.
I would
recommend anyone involved in teaching to spend a summer
at camp with BUNAC;
the skills you'll learn will help you throughout your career,
and provide you with a new outlook on children, learning
and fun!
Summer
at Brant Lake Camp...
Name:
Richard Small
Camp: Brant Lake Camp, Upstate New York
Position: Area/Group head of Intermediate B (10-11yr
olds)
Years at camp: 6
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. My experiences at camp are unrivalled
and it's something that I love to do. As I am writing this
I am finalising my visa for my sixth summer at Camp and
there could be more...
I
had put aside one summer to go and be a camp counselor because
as a kid I remember watching 'Bug Juice' in the school holidays
and thinking "I want to go". I never had the chance as a
child and i wanted to travel on my own so i started surfing
the internet for a route into this adventure, which led
me to www.bunac.org.
At
the time i was 17 and wasn't really eligible for summer
camp (generally you have to be 18 to apply), However i would
turn 18 before i flew out and was eligible for a J1 visa.
Throughout my teenage life I gained a lot of experience
of working with children - i was head coach for 2 youth
football teams (with coaching badges) and junior captain
at the local golf club and also worked in a children's adventure
centre as a leader.
This
luckily got me accepted into the visa sponsorship program
via BUNAC
and i was eventually selected at the last minute by 'Brant
Lake Camp'. Now a lot of people said that i would be too
young to do it, even in the interview they didn't fancy
my chances of getting a placement but they (BUNAC)
kept trying and for that i have to thank them.
At
a later date the camp director even said it was a last minute
gamble that he selected me due to another member of staff
withdrawing a week before the start of camp. (I don't mean
to discourage younger applicants but it is much easier to
get onto these programs if you are over the age of 18 and
have at least some experience of working with children in
a leadership role.)
Brant
Lake Camp is a predominantly Jewish sports camp for boys
aged 7-16. It is rather affluent with children mainly coming
from the New York City area. It has a strong family tradition
and even has fourth- generation campers (Their great grandparents
went to the same camp). The kids stay at camp all summer
and generally return year-after-year (40 of the 55 graduating
campers had been returning there for 7 years or more). More
info is here (www.brantlake.com)
So,
a week before i left for the states i got the acceptance
email from the camp director telling me i'd be a counselor
at his camp. The worrying thing for me was that camp would
be in progress when i arrived - all the other counselors
had been there for a fortnight and the kids got there 5
days later. I would be thrown in at the deep end!
To
say I was apprehensive would be an understatement but i
had always wanted to do this so I took the plunge and accepted
the offer. A week later i set off for the States, on my
own, to one of the busiest cities in the world. As it was
late there was only one other counselor at the BUNAC
hostel that night but the guys there gave us all the information
we needed. Wandering around the city that night was an experience
i'll never forget.
The
next day i took off to the bus station and got the Greyhound
to the Adirondack Mountains, up-state New York. It took
5 hours but the scenery was beautiful. america is so vast,
all people tend to see are images of deserts and cities
but we drove hundreds of miles on the freeway into the mountains
through thick forests. It was then i realised another thing...
my hayfever didn't occur in America.
I
arrived at camp wondering what i'd be faced with, i knew
no-one, had no idea what job i'd be doing or what kids i'd
be looking after. but the first face i saw was a guy called
Richie, the camp owner. He recognised me instantly (he knows
everyone before they arrive and i have no idea how he does
it!) and showed me round, introducing me to kids, counselors,
alum and the rest.
What
took me aback was not the vastness of the camp, nor the
beauty of the surroundings, what caught my eye was how much
fun everyone was having. There were kids and counselors
everywhere playing games, having lessons and having fun.
It
was then i knew i'd made the right decision. About an hour
later i was settled into my bunk with another counselor
from England with six eight year olds asking continuous
questions. (and to answer the popular myth: they do all
think we know the queen at that age).
To
cut a long story short, the summer went like lightning,
every day was better than the last and the progress the
kids made was amazing. 'Soccer' as they call it was just
getting popular over there and the willingness to learn
and progress was 10 times what it is with children over
here. They listen, they're polite and as i said before,
they're fun. In a flash it was visiting day (where the kids
had so much candy I was nearly sick!), colour war, tournaments
against other camps and then the final day came - it was
over.
The
boys that were crying with homesickness on the first day
were crying because they had to leave, Everyone piled onto
the buses back to the city as the counselors got ready for
the second part of the adventure - post-camp.
I'll
break the story to quote my camp's director; "To every child
here you will be their friend, their big brother, their
dad and their teacher". It's said at the start of every
summer and only takes 30seconds with the kids to understand
and believe it. They hang on your every word, they love
your attention and will follow you round until it gets dark.
From
the first moment you meet the kids to the last, they're
your friend. even during the winter i keep in touch with
some of the kids who send me emails telling me they've just
won a 'soccer' game or lost a tooth etc... You make friends
for life at camp!
To
learn more about working at summer camp with BUNAC
visit: www.bunac.org.uk
Name:
Katherine Schofield
Company: CCUSA
Camp: Camp Wah-Nee
Job: Summer Camp Counselor
What
is the difference between David Beckham and Durham University
student Katherine Schofield? We are both going over to
America this summer to play a sport that we both love
- Beckham with LA Galaxy and I'm heading to Camp Wah-Nee,
but I bet I'll have more fun!
That's
right, Beck's may earn slightly more money than I will…..in
fact £127, 999,000 more, but in my opinion, I'm more of
a celebrity than Becks in Camp Wah-nee. This will be my
second summer and I know compared to 'Golden Balls' I'm
the man at camp ….. does Beck's get dressed up as Harry
Potter (not if Posh has anything to do with it) … no I
don't think so!
Last
year I made the big step of deciding to experience what
a children's American Summer Camp has to offer. Summer
camp in America is a huge tradition, but it is something
that people in the UK rarely have opportunity to experience
- although, after watching films like 'American Pie',
I hardly thought that I was missing out on much - I mean
'Band Camp' is not my idea of fun, but as I found out
there are other types of camp's which are definitely fun.
On
June 14th 2006, whilst I sat playing Super Mario on a
plane bound for New York, the waiting was almost over.
Only three months earlier I had expected that my holidays
would be spent working in the local supermarket, watching
the days drag by. I had applied with a company called
CCUSA
to work
at a summer camp, and with exams and the usual end
of year routine, the time flew and I was suddenly on my
way to Camp Wah-nee camp in Connecticut to be a Sports
counselor.
What
had I let myself in for? I was going to spend all summer
in a good job looking after bratty American Kids. Surely
I had gone insane. I was nervous at the thought of having
to play teacher and surrogate parent to hundreds of children,
and especially American ones. In reality, unlike the notorious
American stereotypes, the children turned out to be well
behaved and inquisitive - obviously with the occasional
mischievous little kid.
For
three months, being an English person in camp full of
Americans, I became a celebrity, just because they loved
my accent! I remember one kid saying "You're so cool",
and I asked why and he replied "oh, just coz your British
and British people are always cool", but that wasn't it,
I thought I could expand on my celebrity status when another
kid asked me if I knew David Beckham?
"Of
course I do!" ………. It went down a treat, although that
may come back to haunt me if they ask me if I can get
tickets to the first LA Galaxy game which Beck's will
play in….well they assume you know everyone from the UK!
My
days comprised of teaching/assisting sports whilst getting
a tan, cookouts, campfires, playing all those wacky American
sports, doing overnight trips, and I learned how to mountain
board because it looked like a laugh. I had never been
in a place where you could do everything -even stuff that
you have never done before, like water skiing, rock climbing,
horse riding, baseball….I found I had plenty of spare
time to do all these.
Then
there were the night activities where you needed a spray-on
layer of mosquito repellent to be able to effectively
play 'Capture the Flag' out in the wilderness! I always
looked forward to meals of corn dogs, tater tots, PB &
J sandwiches (that's peanut butter and jelly, jelly really
being jam) and of course, the ultimate in camp treats,
S'mores (a biscuit, marshmallow and chocolate campfire
creation). I had to be there for triumphs, disappointments,
laughter and tears.
If
someone had told me before I left just what I would have
to deal with, I would probably have cancelled my ticket
and stayed at home, but being there, and learning new
things, it became second nature. You're the one that tucks
the kids in at nights, wakes them up in the mornings,
and the ones they look up to and idealize. Although camp
life probably isn't for everyone - I had to dress up for
theme nights (I was Harry Potter more than once) and be
more patriotic than ever with the Union Jack painted across
my face in international team games (the UK team always
beat the other international counselors heading up the
Australian and New Zealand teams!), there are different
camp types to choose from - private camps, special needs
camp, underprivileged camps, day camps, agency camps,
religious camps - so what ever your interest there is
a camp suit you.
But
the good thing with CCUSA
is that you choose what style of camp you go to, as well
as the type of job you do (General
Counselor, Specialty
Counselor or Support
staff). Camp was followed by one month, 6000 mile
trip around the USA by train with my 8 new best friends
from camp - paid for by the wages I received from working
at the camp. I visited Portland, San Francisco, Salt Lake
City, Denver, Chicago and New York. I was knackered by
the time I reached New York, but I saw so much and met
so many people that it was definitely worth it.
Highlights
include lying on the beach in California, Quad Biking
in Utah, White Water Rafting in Denver, visiting the Sears
Tower and a Cubs baseball game in Chicago and the silence
of thousands standing at the World Trade Centre site on
September 11.
I left the USA with memories I won't ever forget and friendships
I couldn't have made back home. Working with people 24/7
and not being able to leave when the going gets tough,
you get to know your co-workers (your friends) better
than anyone else. How else can you get an experience,
where you play sport all day, whilst earning money and
getting a tan? Certainly not in Yorkshire anyway!
I
know it sounds cheesy, and I would have never said this
before I experienced it, but it was definitely the best
summer of my life, and I would recommend it to anyone
- including you Mr Beckham!
