Working at Summer Camp (America)

Kaz_NewbieMoneysaver

Hi guys,

I would just like any advice, positives, negatives, past stories, anything at all about different summer camps. I am currently looking into different organisations such as CampAmerica, CCUSA, Bunac, Americamp, USA Summer Camp etc. I know this is definately what I'm interested in and will definately go with one of them Summer 2012 - it's just hard to know which one at this very moment.

I will be 19, going alone and also looking to travel afterwards if any help can be given on travel companies also. Heard of TrekAmerica, Intrepid and CampAmericaTreks but again not sure which is best company.

Also, if anyone know of any independent websites / forums for UK 'summer camp wannabees' that would be very useful too.

Thanks in advance, will be grateful for any help.
Laura (using my mam's account )

Reef1234

I went through BUNAC to a camp in North Carolina, working as a youth counsellor for 3 months. Possibly the best 3 months of my life! I travelled alone and met tons of friends there who were doing the same. You find that everyone wants to travel afterwards to0, so you tend to group together after camp finishes. In terms of BUNAC, they were brilliant throughout the summer and paid for my flight in advance of my wages. If you don't get your visa in time though theres some great summer camps here in the uk like 'Doit4Real' with the YHA

RhiRhiMajic

I'd highly recommend checking out Make My Summer...no fees to pay up front and you get a degree of choice with where you are placed, which you don't tend to get so much with the others that you mentioned. They're also ridiculously helpful and friendly- I was all set to go to summer camp through them last year but found out the dates clashed with my graduation. For about 3 months they tried hard to find me a placement somewhere that would fit in with my dates! Fab fab fab. Due to other circumstances I ended up unable to go, and strangely enough decided to put the money I'd already saved together with another year's worth of savings, ready to do Trek America this year. I'm leaving in 16 days and have heard nothing but good things. I think if you book with TA after doing a summer camp programme you can get a discount on their tours. Well worth doing and I hope you have a great summer!

callum9999

I went with USA Summer Camp purely because they were the cheapest. If they are still the cheapest now then definitely go with them.

There was nothing amazing about them (we stayed in a hostel in New York while everyone with Camp America was placed in a decent hotel) but they do the job.

As to travelling afterwards - everyone always loves the TrekAmerica etc. trips but there is very little need to do them. You could quite easily make your own trip with people in the camp for a lot less money that will be just as good.