Camp America

[pipdawg]

My 18 year old daughter is thinking about going to the USA to work at a summer camp this year. She will be going alone. I would really like to hear about anyone's previous experience of this - either first hand or maybe your child's.

[Sycamore3House]

A lad I worked with did this. He was at the camp for a number of weeks and then was a childminder for an 7 & 9 year old. After this work he had 4 weeks to travel in the states before returning home. All his visas were sorted, accommodation etc. he enjoyed the work and by the time he went off on his own he said he had a good feel for the country. I think he had already been to college when he went.

[Peaspeculiars]

No personal experience, but a few of my friends did Camp America after university and absolutely loved the experience. They met so many good friends out there. One now works as a 'soccer' coach in the US, one works as a teacher in Miami and another works in education in Canada. All happily married with kids.
Judging by their experiences - there were a lot of young english students working out in the camps as 'counsellers' at the time (just over 10 years ago) so they didn't get home sick and felt very welcomed and supported by the employers.

[Peaspeculiars]

Pip - have a peek at this website which may offer your daughter more options if it's not specifically children that she wants to work with. My friends have said that no-one does Camp America to make money as the pay is minimal (but enough to travel a bit after the summer season) but go for the experience and being able to add it to the CV.

http://www.bunac.org/uk

[anneasquith]

my friends daughter went last year on her own, she loved it and made lots of friends, great experience,

[pipdawg]

Thanks for all the advice. I suppose I now deep down that she'll have a great time and it will probably be the making of her. Just a bit of a reluctant mother here.