Before Camp
5th December 2018 | Before Camp,
Blog
4 Summer Camp Phrases Explained Know your Camp Christmas from your 10 for 2? Here are 4 Summer Camp phrases explained… Life at camp is a bit like a bubble, so much so it even has it’s own language! Don’t worry though, because, after a few days, you’ll be as fluent as everyone else. Camp Christmas Just because it’s the middle of summer and you’re in shorts and a t-shirt doesn’t mean it can’t be Christmas. Every year, camp staff and campers come together and celebrate as if it was December 25th. There’s a visit from Santa, wrapped presents, and a feast at dinner time! 10 for 2 If you spend 10 months counting down to the two you’ll spend at camp, then you’re living 10 for 2! A summer at camp will be the best summer of your life. If you return to camp, you’ll experience it over and over! Hot Days One of the great things about working at camp is getting paid to have fun in the sun. When it gets too hot to do anything, you’ll get a Hot Day. The day’s all about time in the pool and pizza! Paperwork Counselors get downtime to re-charge their batteries during the day, and that time is sometimes called Paperwork. Off for a quick snack? You’re doing your paperwork. Need the loo? Paperwork!
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18th February 2020 | Before Camp,
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What’s Stopping You Going to Summer Camp? The thought of going to an American or Canadian summer camp for 9 weeks can be pretty daunting. However, the experiences and challenges you will face while at camp will equip you with new skills for life. You’ll grow in ways you never knew all while making great friends for life from all over the world. The things that are stopping you going to summer camp may seem like reasons to not go, but we’re here to ease your hang-ups! Leaving Behind Friends and Family Being away from your friends and family can get you feeling homesick especially if it’s your first time away from home. However, at summer camp you’ll find a bond like no other with your fellow counselors as well as the campers. In addition, you’ll be experiencing an exciting new challenge in a fresh environment. Summer camp will provide you with your own little camp family and if you do find yourself missing home, a quick Skype call will put you at ease! University or College Dates You’ll find at camp that a lot of your fellow counselors are also students. It’s always worth checking with your tutor about your end of term dates as you may actually finish a lot earlier than the date stated which will help you with going to camp. Comparatively, if you’re hesitant about missing graduation it’s worth checking if you can graduate in the Autumn so you can both attend camp as well as receive the full graduation experience! Camp typically comes to a close mid-August which means you’ll be back in time for when your course resumes in September or October! Summer Job at Home over Going to Summer Camp A summer at camp in America is a once in a lifetime experience. Not to mention, you also get paid while you’re there! Having international work experience is also really great for your CV and going to summer camp will help you secure more opportunities in the future! At camp, you’ll be able to demonstrate to future employers your adaptability to new situations, your commitment to work as well as exceptional team working abilities. It’s also worth checking with your employer if you’ll be able to return to your position when you’re back from camp. Not Having Enough Skills The fear of not having the right skills for camp is a worry a lot of people have, trust me! Nevertheless, this shouldn’t hold you back from applying to head out to camp in America! You’d be surprised at the number of different skills you could be doing while at camp, as well as the transferable skills you have. From sports to computer science, there is a role for everyone at camp. Whatever your skills, hobbies, and interests, there’s a perfect Summer Camp job waiting for you. If you’re ready to discover more about a summer at camp Apply Now!
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9th December 2018 | Before Camp,
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Struggling to get the perfect gift for the Camp Counselor in your life? Christmas is just around the corner and the USA Summer Camp team are here to save the day! It’s time to forget the boring socks and give the camp enthusiast what they really want this Christmas. Take a look at our top 12 Camp Counselor gift ideas to get some inspiration! Friendship Bracelet Kit If you give your future Camp Counselor a friendship bracelet kit, they will be guaranteed to be the coolest person at camp. One of the biggest camp traditions is making friendship bracelets so if your camp counselor is ready and prepared, they will be already a step ahead. Also, who doesn’t want to be rocking friendship bracelets all year round too!? Polaroid Camera This is one of our favourite Camp Counselor gift ideas! If you have a bigger budget to spend, get them a Polaroid Camera. With this gift, they will be able to capture special moments and print the picture on the spot which is so cool! They can give the pictures to their campers, friends and also decorate their cabin! They’re also great for travelling and the campers will love taking selfies with them too. Water Bottle This is something every Camp Counselor needs for the time at camp. They will put it down for one second and never seen it again. NEVER. Trust us, they will go through them like there’s no tomorrow! To prevent this, get them a water bottle that has a crazy design or name engraved so if it does go missing, everybody knows whos it is. They’ll definitely thank you for it when they’re at camp! A Taste of Home It’s hard to say this but, chocolate in America just isn’t the same. (I know, we were disgusted too) Hershey’s is nice and all, but there’s nothing like the taste of the British delicacy, Cadburys. Gift your friend with a care package that includes some English chocolate, sweets, drinks and you can’t forget the tea bags! There’s nothing better than having a taste of home. Summer Camp Film Motivate your Camp Counselor and show them all the fun they’re going to have next summer with a traditional Summer camp movie. The USA Summer Camp team recommend watching Camp Rock and Parent Trap for a movie night! Grab the popcorn and comfy PJ’s to complete the night. Your Camp Counselor will be ready to hop on to the plane to camp after receiving this gift! American Power Adaptor If your Camp Counselor can be a bit forgetful sometimes, they will really benefit from this present! As the plugs in America are different from the UK, travellers will need an American Power Adaptor to be able to use their electronics. These are cheap to buy and can be easily found in most supermarkets! White Tees For a cheap and easy gift, every Camp Counselor needs white tees. It’s the worst feeling when it’s time to tie-dye with the campers and you forgot to bring a white tee. Bummer. Tie-dye is one of the best activities on camp so make sure to prepare your counselor with this gift. Waterproof Watch As most camps don’t allow counselors to use their phone whilst on the job, having a watch is super handy. They will need to stick to times and make sure their campers are at their activities so having a watch will help massively. Also, we recommend getting a waterproof one as it is likely they will be in the pool or lake every day! Travel Journal Your friend is about to have the best experience of their life and this gift is the perfect way to reminisce and keep special memories safe for years to come. Buy your friend a travel journal so they can document their travels, souvenirs, pictures and tickets stored away from their adventure in America. It definitely is one of the best ways to remember their experience in the US! Head Torch If you want to give them a practical gift this holiday, get them a head torch! It can get very dark at night while at camp. A head torch will be very handy when walking around camp at night and when going back into your cabin after your night off. Go Pro If your Camp Counselor is a keen videographer, this gift will be perfect. The Go Pro is waterproof, tough and easy to whip out in-between the action. Camp Counselors will be able to film their Summer Camp experience and keep the memories forever. If you do buy them this amazing gift, tell them to send us the footage because we’d love to see it! Dollars This gift is essential! If you’re unsure what your counselor needs or wants, get them American dollars for their trip to the US. They can spend it while they’re at camp or save it for their 30 days of travel! They can purchase what they want while in the US or save it towards accommodation and fun activities after camp. Plus, who doesn’t love to receive money?! So there you have it. They’re our top 12 Camp Counselor Gift Ideas for the Holidays! From head torches to Go Pros, your Camp Counselor is going to be spoilt for Christmas and ready to smash the summer. All thanks to you! (You can thank us later!) If you’re going to be a Camp Counselor yourself, send this to your friends and family to make sure you get what you need for your summer in the states! Happy Holidays!
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1st December 2018 | Before Camp,
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Staff Spotlight – Meet James It’s time to meet James, one of the team who co-manages our National Support Team. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the staff at USA Summer Camp. We have a wonderful bunch of people who work hard to help make the best summer of your life a reality. Meet James I’m James, but most of my friends call me Squirtle because of a tattoo on my leg. I co-manage our National Support Team with Jess, who help all our applicants get their profile up and running. I also help make sure our applicants have a smooth journey from when they apply to when they fly to America. My Favourite Work Memory We ran a charity event in the office raising money for Mind and the Jacob Abraham Foundation. All the staff in the office were set little rules they couldn’t break for the week and if they did, they had to pay a fine. My Day in Three Words Tunes, caffeine, and deposits. My Favourite Place I’ve Travelled The favourite place that I’ve travelled to is a really hard one to choose! When I went interrailing in 2016, I visited so many different places such as Amsterdam, Paris, and Prague. Berlin stands out for me because I visited the Berlin Wall and the general vibe of the city too. My Summer Camp Experience I’ve not been to camp yet, but I’m heading out for my first summer at camp in summer 2019. I’m kicking myself that I’ve never done it before! The Best Thing About Camp Self-development, learning new skills, and seeing the kids develop their skills are going to be rewarding. Also, the independence of being able to go to America for the whole summer is something I’m looking forward to. My Favourite Place in America My favourite place in America is San Francisco – I visited in 2015. Alcatraz was absolutely fascinating and the seafood at Pier 39 was the best I’ve ever tasted. It’s definitely top of my bucket list to go back!
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18th November 2018 | Before Camp,
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Staff Spotlight – Meet Laura It’s time to meet Laura, who manages the Irish USA Summer Camp office! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the staff at USA Summer Camp. We have a wonderful bunch of people who work had to help make the best summer of your life a reality. Meet Laura I manage the Irish USA Summer Camp office. I’ve been working here for over three years now. I look after anything and everything from our programs, staff, National Support Team, and participants. I began in a marketing role after I got back from my first summer at camp and have loved every day since! My Favourite Work Memory We’ve had so many memorable conferences and trips abroad! But my favourite recent memory was our Office Olympics. We had a day that was packed with activities. From rubber band archery to miniature desk bowling! My Day in Three Words Tea, laptop, and puppy. My Favourite Place I’ve Travelled Prague is my favourite place that I’ve travelled to. We were lucky enough to spend some time there during the 2016 USA Summer Camp global conference. It’s a beautiful city with so much history and so many places to explore. Top tip: Book a Segway tour to squeeze as much as you can into the trip! My Summer Camp Experience I’ve spent two amazing summers at Camp Micah in Maine, a traditional co-ed Jewish camp. I worked as the Head of Photography for both summers and absolutely had the best time of my life. My time was mostly spent teaching photography to the campers and taking photos of the many different activities at camp. When I wasn’t behind the camera I was with my girls in the bunk, at campfire, or trying a new activity. The Best Thing About Camp The best thing about camp is the connections you make with campers and the staff. The impact camp can have on you is priceless. You’ll walk away with unforgettable memories and a lifelong home-away-from-home. My Favourite Place in America My favourite place in America is Disney World in Orlando. It’s the happiest place on earth… apart from camp of course. The summer just gone was my sixth visit a Disney park. Is that too much?
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10th November 2018 | Before Camp,
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Staff Spotlight – Meet Jess It’s time to meet Jess, one of the USA Summer Camp team who’s worked at a Girl Scout Camp in America. We have a wonderful bunch of people who work had to help make the best summer of your life a reality. In this series of blogs, we’re shining a spotlight on the staff at USA Summer Camp. Meet Jess I’m Jess, but I go by DooWop at Summer Camp. It’s a Girl Scout tradition to have a nickname. Everyone calls you by your nickname, even the other staff, and it’s part of the camp magic. At the start of training, we have a naming ceremony where we write down our real name and then burn the paper in a fire. The idea is that you forget the real you and start afresh, leaving real-world issues behind. I’m a completely different person at camp! My Favourite Work Memory My favourite work memory is from the Job Fairs that we run every year. Helping our applicants get hired on the spot by the camp of their dreams is the best feeling ever! The fairs also a great way to meet the applicants that we speak to on the phone all the time. My Day in Three Words Proof-reading, singing, and organising. My Favourite Place I’ve Travelled My favourite place that I’ve travelled to is the Seychelles. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I worked on a conservation project there for a month, collecting data on turtles, tortoises, birds, and a couple of species of trees. The island I stayed on had no running water or electricity, so it was completely out of my comfort zone. I had the most incredible experience and met some of the best people ever. It was this experience that helped me get ready for camp and changed my mind on my career path. My Summer Camp Experience I’ve been to camp five times. I work at a Girl Scout Camp in Maryland. In my first summer in 2014, I was a General Counselor so I got the girls up in the morning, took them to activities, and got stuck in alongside them. During my second summer, I was STEM Manager, teaching science, technology, engineering, and maths activities to the girls. This was a really fun role because I got to interact with all the campers in each session. I was also Kayak, Canoe and Archery trained. Summers three and four were spent building our Leadership programme for our oldest girls. I absolutely loved this role! I got to work with some of the most incredible campers and really help them develop into the fantastic young women they are now. This year, I was a Youth Leadership Manager. The role was split between the Leadership programme and running camp. The Best Thing About Camp The best thing about camp is meeting so many incredible people from all over the world. Being able to see some incredible girls flourish into powerful young women is really rewarding. My Favourite Place in America My favourite place in America is either Yosemite or Acadia National Park. I’ve camped in both of these places and I’m pretty sure a bear nearly joined us on a few occasions! We went to Yosemite just after the Grand Canyon and the contrast between the two made Yosemite even more incredible. I just love being outside and in nature, so any National Parks are ideal for me!
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20th November 2018 | Before Camp,
Blog
Jack’s Guide on Applying to Summer Camp Looking for a guide on applying to Summer Camp? The best summer of your life is waiting for you! Today’s Guest Blogger, Jack, spent last summer working at a camp in Pennsylvania. In his post, he talks us through his ultimate guide to applying to Summer Camp. Getting Started I started in the same position as most people: not being quite sure of what the summer ahead has in store. Getting a J1 visa and a job at Summer Camp in America can feel like a daunting process, but USA Summer Camp made it easy. I found out about them on a Facebook advert, and they had lots of videos and photos of the people they’d helped send to America. They immediately had my attention and so I filled out an application form online. Next Steps After a really informative phone call with one of the team the next day, I signed up and had started my journey to America. It was time to build up my profile and try and sell myself to some of the camps hiring for students like me. The profile is a good place to highlight your skills, hobbies, and show off your personality. Make sure you stand out! Summer Camp Interview Within a week, I got an interview with a camp in Pennsylvania – International Sports Training Camp. The interview was really informal and I enjoyed it. I got hired and started planning my trip to the east side of America. People shouldn’t treat their Summer Camp interview in the same way as a graduate interview. Camp Directors want to see that you’re a laid back person that has a passion for working with kids. You don’t need to be nervous. Just enjoy the conversation and showcase yourself, and you’ll be fine!
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11th December 2018 | Before Camp,
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Staff Spotlight – Meet Peter It’s time to meet Peter, one of the team who works in the USA Summer Camp office in Ireland. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the staff at USA Summer Camp. We have a wonderful bunch of people who work had to help make the best summer of your life a reality. Meet Peter I spend my day helping to make sure people get to go out to camp and have the most amazing summer! I’m usually on the phone reaching out to applicants to help them start their journey to get on board the programme. I try to make sure that every applicant gets to have the same experience that I had when heading out to camp. My Favourite Work Memory On my first day on the job, I was asked if I wanted to go back to camp. I didn’t think I would be able to when I got this job, but I got straight in touch with my Camp Director. Being able to go back to camp every year is the biggest perk of the job and I’m so lucky that I get to do it. My Day in Three Words Go to Camp! My Favourite Place I’ve Travelled My favourite place that I’ve travelled to is Alberta in Canada. We drove through the Rockies from Jasper to Banff, and I’ve never experienced anything like it. If there is one road trip I could ever recommend people do, this is it! Even in the middle of Summer, seeing the snow topping the mountains is just immaculate. We paddle boarded on Lake Edith, saw elk, moose and even a few bears! My Summer Camp Experience I’ve been to camp twice – both times at Camp Chief Hector. I’m the only member of the team in the USA Summer Camp office in Ireland to go to camp in Canada. We specialise in hiking, camping, canoeing, and out-tripping activities. I love it there! I started out as a Camp Counselor in my first summer, but for my second, I worked on the horse riding section. We took the campers on trails, and this year, we saw a wolf pack on one of them. It was an incredible wildlife sighting! The Best Thing About Camp The best thing about camp is getting to meet new people and make genuine connections with them. I have had friends from all over the world come and visit me back in Ireland. It’s great for travelling because I get to couch surf when I go and visit them! My Favourite Place in America My favourite place in America is Seattle – it’s stunning and such a beautiful city. It was the first stop on the road trip that my friend and I went on after camp last Summer. We got chowder bread bowls and watched a Seattle Mariners baseball game.
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8th November 2018 | Before Camp,
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Summer Camp is the Best J1 There are lots of ways to spend your summer, but we think Summer Camp is the best J1. Thousands of people go to America to complete their J1 at camp and have the time of their lives. Here are three reasons why we think Summer Camp is the best J-1… We Help You Secure a Job at Summer Camp If you’re looking for a summer job abroad, it can sometimes be hard to find a job in America.We can help you find the perfect Summer Camp job for you, so there’s no need to stress. You can just sit back, work on your profile, and wait for all the interviews to roll in! You Get to Do New Things At Summer Camp, you get to do things you just wouldn’t do on a typical summer job abroad. From being paid to Jet ski, take part in Summer Camp activities, and just act like a kid all day, Summer Camp is the best J1. Forget working in a boring bar or restaurant for the summer, work at camp instead! Make an Impact In any other job, you won’t have the same impact on people as you would at Summer Camp. As well as becoming best friends with your Co-Counselors, you’ll create a special bond with the kids. You’ll guide them to become better people, help give them the best summer, and be a big kid with them. If Summer Camp sounds like the Best J1 for you, why not apply here?
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1st August 2018 | Before Camp,
Blog
What is Camp in America? Summer Camp’s a right of passage for many teenagers and twenty-somethings, but you might be wondering: what is camp in America? American children live in much busier towns and cities than us Brits are used to. Summer holidays are much longer Stateside too. Every summer, children from all over the country head out of the city and into the great outdoors for a summer of fun. Camp in America is all about helping those children learn new skills, try out new activities, and make friends. What do Staff at Summer Camp Do? When you work at camp in America, you’re there to help the children – also known as campers – get the very best out of their camp experience. There’s a massive range of activities on offer at camp. Summer Camp staff are there to help make sure everyone’s getting involved and having fun. Whether it’s helping a camper overcome their fear of the climbing wall or being a shoulder to cry on for someone missing home, there’s lots to keep you busy. Most of the people we help get a job at Summer Camp will be working as a Camp Counselor. The role’s unbelievably rewarding and great fun, but it’s full on. Why Work at Camp in America? Now you know the answer to ‘what is camp in America?’, you’re probably wondering why you should spend a summer working there. Spending a summer working at a Summer Camp in America means you’ll be paid to have fun, play games, and sing songs. Let’s be honest, that sounds better than any other job advert you’ve ever seen… right? Paid. To have fun! Getting a job at Summer Camp will help make you more employable too, and you’ll pick up invaluable skills. Apply for Camp in America If you fancy having the best summer of your life working at camp in America, then why not apply now?
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