BS: Childrens Holiday Camps USA - Advice

Subject: RE: BS: Childrens Holiday Camps USA - Advice
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 16 Sep 10 - 02:43 PM

Good point there Betty. It's only the second day since she said she wanted to do it, so points like that are very important.

Subject: RE: BS: Childrens Holiday Camps USA - Advice
From: Bettynh
Date: 16 Sep 10 - 02:41 PM

I remember being a camp counsellor. It was fine for a month or so, but after that I wanted OUT at least for a day. And I had no transportation. If your daughter is looking for an experience in the great American outdoors, fine, but be sure she has transport out of there.

Subject: RE: BS: Childrens Holiday Camps USA - Advice
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 16 Sep 10 - 02:38 PM

Hi Becca
I may be wrong on this, but on the first year, don't the agencies also require some time with them, before they go?

If not, that sounds interesting. Do you have any info that i can research?

Camp America say that all applicants must be availabe from the start of May, but no later than June 20th or somehing like that.

Thanks

Subject: RE: BS: Childrens Holiday Camps USA - Advice
From: Becca72
Date: 16 Sep 10 - 02:34 PM

Arthur,

If she isn't married to a certain region, she should keep looking. I know here in Maine our schools don't get out until mid June and summer camps are July/August deals.

Subject: RE: BS: Childrens Holiday Camps USA - Advice
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 16 Sep 10 - 02:09 PM

Ah well that sorted it out.
My daughter doesn't finish her studies until the end of June next year.
I think most of the people who are going to work in America for the summer camps have to be available from May.

She is disappointed but has accepted it.

Thanks for all your help.

Subject: RE: BS: Childrens Holiday Camps USA - Advice
From: Melissa
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 08:07 PM

I worked at a Girl Scout camp that had English/French girls on staff. They were treated well and I don't think they were required to have any background with Guides.

Their pay didn't work the same as the rest of us and I got the notion that they were 'paid' with money they paid for the experience. Is that how it works?

Subject: RE: BS: Childrens Holiday Camps USA - Advice
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 05:30 PM

Thanks Joe
Thats exactly what I was looking for.
I will get my daughter to use your info.

Subject: RE: BS: Childrens Holiday Camps USA - Advice
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 05:29 PM

I'll second Joe on the American Camping Association.

~ Becky in Tucson
who credits a lot of her personality to the Farm & Wilderness Camps and consequently sent her son there, too. I passed up the chance to work there for an internship in Alaska, though.

Subject: RE: BS: Childrens Holiday Camps USA - Advice
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 05:22 PM

Hi, Arthur-

I'd suggest that whatever camp she chooses, should be accredited by the American Camping Association (follow link for hiring information). The ACA certification is a rigorous process, and will do a lot to ensure that your daughter is in a good place. I might suggest that it might be good to choose something other than an expensive private camp - wealthy children can be difficult to deal with.

Back on the 1960s, I was very impressed by the camps operated by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The Girl Scouts run wonderful camps, too; but I imagine they might want your daughter to have had experience with the Girl Guides.

I worked at a Catholic boys' camp for five years during college, and I credit it for changing me from a shy, spineless wimp into the sparkling personality that I am today. Kids worship camp counselors, and it does wonders for a person's self-esteem.

I can teach her some really camp songs and stories if she'd like....

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Childrens Holiday Camps USA - Advice
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 05:19 PM

Just had a look Kat and looks a bit like that.
Thanks for posting though.

Subject: RE: BS: Childrens Holiday Camps USA - Advice
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 04:34 PM

My sister always worked at Girl Scout camps. Not sure if you have to have been one to be a counsellor or not, though.

Subject: BS: Childrens Holiday Camps USA - Advice
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 03:46 PM

Hi Mudcatters in the US need guidance and help. This could also apply to mudcatters from UK who have knowledge of teenagers working in Childrens Holiday Camps in the summer in USA.

My daughter (19) who is starting her degree next week towards teaching Primary Children in the UK, is planning to apply for a job next summer in the States working in a summer camp.

Has anybody got first hand knowledge of the Camp Companies that are good and reliable and trustworthy.

Camp America springs to mind

Most of them require advance payments with re-imbursements later.

I need to be sure that my daughter applies to companies that will look after her properly and are not con merchants.

Many thanks for any help.