What is Americamp?

Monday, June 13, 2016

Hi!

Of course this is another long post. I have decided that maybe before reading any of my posts it is best to sit down with a cuppa and some biscuits...

Okay, so I've realised I've started doing a blog about Americamp, and I have had feedback that some people don't exactly know what Americamp is!


So Americamp is pretty much what it's says on the tin, Camp in America! It is a GREAT CV booster, future employers will love it.

Most people have probably heard of the typical "Camp America" whom are a company who have been running for years.

Americamp is probably one of the most recent companies - however, it has been named the best summer camp company for the last 5 years running and in 2015 had a 100% placement rate!

Unfortunately, not everyone is #plACed at a summer camp, despite completing the application forms, so the placement rate Americamp has is outstanding! 

First of all, you do NOT need to go with a company to attend a summer camp in America, you can do it all by yourself separately! However, this would mean you would have to deal with all the paper work, find a visa sponsorship and placement etc on your own! So stressful! 

For first time campers it seems pretty common to go with a company, also, it ensures a secure base for you to contact back in the UK if you need any help (either throughout the application or when you're in the states) and also enables you to meet fellow Americampers before you go. Also gives you some stability to know that you don't have to del with the boring stuff and ensures that you definitely have everything you need (for instance any paperwork) for your time abroad. Personally, I would always go through a company, especially Americamp.

Companies: 

There are of course many different companies which enable you to work in in a summer camp. Just know that ALL these companies I will name below ALL offer the same job roles. At camp, you could be working with people from ANY of these companies, (not just brits either!) as the company acts as a gateway to enable you go to camp. The companies are:

- Camp America (probably the most well known company)
- Camp Leaders
- CCUSA
- Bunac
aaaaaaand... AMERICAMP (the best company, you can read why in my previous post "why Americamp?")

I'm sure there are more, they are the only ones I know! Do you're research! But Americamp hasn't been named "The Best Summer Camp Organisation" for 5 years in a row for anything y'know!

So, what do you do at camp?

Camp America includes you flying over to the states for 9 to 11 weeks and working with children of all ages at summer camp. This is in effect a summer job.

You do get paid for the time you are working for the camps, the pay varies from which organisation you go with - Americamp has the highest pay.

Going to camp could include you teaching or assisting children in their daily activities. This role is called a "Camp Counsellor" specifically, and activity counsellor. The activies at camp can range from watersports, horseriding, arts and crafts, performing arts, film producting... the list is endless!

OR you can be a general counsellor, which includes being with the same children from a period of either 1/2 weeks, or the whole time at camp, making sure they are at the correct activities at the right time etc. For both a general and activity counsellor, you complete the same application form.

Here it is best to mention, the length of time the children attend the summer camp can vary from 1-2 weeks, up until a whole 8 weeks at a time! Also, you do have pre camp training for a week, by the other blogs I have read, it seems that this is full of team building activities and also what to do if you have freak weather such as if a tornado hits... Scary!  

OR you can apply for a "support staff" role, meaning you would NOT be working with the children, you could be working in the kitchens, cleaning or in the offices!

Along the grapevine, I have heard that camp is VERY demanding, it is such long hours but very rewarding.

Where will I be placed?

You do not have much control over where you are placed and can not afford to be mega fussy. So do not get your heart set on being placed in a camp in New York or LA because it may not work out that way.

You can literally get placed ANYWHERE over America. You could be contacted by a camp director directly and asked for a skype interview, or you could in fact get placed at one of the many camp fairs.

Camp fairs are the most common ways to get placed, they usually take place around mid January. They give you get the chance to meet camp directors face to face and have a little interview with them and get placed on the spot!

You recieve information about all the camps attending prior to the fair. You have to narrow the list down considering the dates you can go to camp, and also the skills each camp is looking for. Research a few and pick about 3/4 of your favourites and research them in depth.

Camp fairs do give you more choice about the state you wish to be placed in, but it is not guaranteed the camp you love will hire you! Also, remember you get chance to travel for a whole month after camp, consider visiting your dream destinations post camp!

Can I get placed with a friend?

Yes, I have heard this is true! BUT, consider this, EVERYONE is in the SAME boat as you and experiencing everything you are experiencing! Everybody is immensely scared about flying a quarter of the way around the world alone, it's natural. You do not want to be placed with a friend and end up clinging to each other for 9 weeks, camp is really a place to meet friends from all over the world and even the locals, don't tie yourself up!

BUT... if you do however wish to be placed at the same camp as a friend, at the camp fairs, you and your friend can both be interviewed by the camp directors together.

Types of camps:

There are various types of summer camps in America, ranging from :

Day Camps (where the children only attend the camp during the day, essentially like a 9-5 job)

Special Needs Camps

Religious Camps

Speciality Camps

Girl Scout Camps and probably many more!

The application form explains what each of the camps require. The more camps you tick, the more likely you are to be #plACed

In most of the camps - probably besides day camps, you will be most likely staying in a cabin with the children themselves and responsible for waking them up in a morning etc! So it is literally full on 24/7, don't expect a holiday.

How old do I have to be?

For Americamp, you have to be 18 by the 1st June! I'm pretty sure there is not an age limit either?! Correct me if I am wrong Americamp.

How much will I get paid?

Entirely depends on your age! If you are 19 you get $1550 for the whole 9 weeks, there will be more info on the website, or contact them directly on facebook or twitter, they're always happy to help.

Remember, whilst you are at camp you get your food and accommodation anyway so you don't have to worry about food or spending money unless you have a day off!

By the sounds of it, camps work differently, some camps you get periods through the days off and by the sounds of it, you get at least a day off every week or so, which is your chance to travel out of camp and explore.

Do I get to travel after camp?

You do get 1 month to travel after camp! From what I can gather, most people make after camp travel plans with the friends they make at camp!

I personally want to take advantage of the whole month travel post camp! I know the average time to travel after camp seems to be 2 and a half weeks, but I am looking to extend my visa until the end of October, as after my post camp travels (hopefully with friends I meet and also a few girls who I already know from sixth form whom are doing Americamp), my parents and aunty are hopefully flying out and we are going travelling for a few weeks together! I am also hoping to visit one of my current sixth form friends in LA as she is going to a performing arts university! YAY.

I really hope this has answered and cleared up everybody's question!

If not, feel free to leave a comment and I will try answer as best I can, or, alternatively, contact Americamp!

The next post I have already written! It will be about the whole application process ♥

Jade x x

twitter: jadexleanne
Instagram: jadeoutram_

www.americamp.co.uk




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