Camp America/AmeriCamp etc any good?

helpimcrap · 30 Oct 2017 at 16:43

Hi all,
I've been considering going to America next year on a summer camp as a counsellor or a helper.

What are peoples opinions on the best company or way to do it?

Or should I not bother? lol

peterwalkley · 30 Oct 2017 at 18:39

I'm just picturing the camp from the second Addams family film.

FlakGunna · 30 Oct 2017 at 18:48

peterwalkley said:
I'm just picturing the camp from the second Addams family film.

I instantly pictured this

Josh · 30 Oct 2017 at 18:51

"This one time at band camp..."

Dav4 · 30 Oct 2017 at 18:51

I’ve worked with a few people in the past who done it when they were younger and they all said it was an amazing experience.
I’ve always thought it sounds good on paper but that you would probably get there and just be surrounded by spoilt rich kids moaning for weeks on end.
Lol at the Addams family shout

helpimcrap · 30 Oct 2017 at 19:08

Dav4 said:
I’ve worked with a few people in the past who done it when they were younger and they all said it was an amazing experience.
I’ve always thought it sounds good on paper but that you would probably get there and just be surrounded by spoilt rich kids moaning for weeks on end.
Lol at the Addams family shout

That's just it - the spoilt rich kids thing wouldn't be an issue as most kids nowadays are getting on high horses - "you can't say that, you can't do anything to me" etc shortly before they abuse an old person and get away with it.

It's something that appeals as i'll be on summer holidays from Uni.

I'm after ideas for which one is best? Camp America is about £800 but free food and lodgings and about $900 back after 9 weeks. AmeriCamp is about £350 and about $1500 after 9 weeks?
I'm unsure if that is too good to be true?

Dav4 · 30 Oct 2017 at 19:16

The few people I worked with were camp America from what i can remember and they all had only positive things to say about it.
Have a google around I’m sure there will be plenty of threads on the student room forum about what to expect or which one is best to go with.

dowie · 30 Oct 2017 at 20:12

helpimcrap said:
I'm after ideas for which one is best? Camp America is about £800 but free food and lodgings and about $900 back after 9 weeks. AmeriCamp is about £350 and about $1500 after 9 weeks?
I'm unsure if that is too good to be true?

Hang on, you've got to pay them??? Or is that £800 for your flights or something?

I'm not sure that is too good to be true? Surely you're there as an employee no? What happened to minimum wage?

FlakGunna · 30 Oct 2017 at 20:30

That AmeriCamp actually looks really good. I've never heard of anything like this before.

FlakGunna · 30 Oct 2017 at 20:31

dowie said:
Hang on, you've got to pay them??? Or is that £800 for your flights or something?

I'm not sure that is too good to be true? Surely you're there as an employee no? What happened to minimum wage?

This is to cover lots of things I guess, medical insurance, accommodation, food every day, working visa, discounted flights etc. AmeriCamp looks cheaper. Plus you get money back.

helpimcrap · 30 Oct 2017 at 20:32

dowie said:
Hang on, you've got to pay them??? Or is that £800 for your flights or something?

I'm not sure that is too good to be true? Surely you're there as an employee no? What happened to minimum wage?

I pay them£850 for flights/VISAs etc. Everything is then included and I get about $900 at the end and a month free to travel before flying back or something?
Minimum wage is whatever America is?

helpimcrap · 30 Oct 2017 at 20:34

FlakGunna said:
This is to cover lots of things I guess, medical insurance, accommodation, food every day, working visa, discounted flights etc. AmeriCamp looks cheaper. Plus you get money back.

It looks to be about £270+VISAs etc V £599+VISAs but I'm wondering if it is cheap for a reason?

Both give money back - $1500 V about $900-$1250?

Peerzy · 31 Oct 2017 at 20:42

Won't it get in the way of becoming a pilot, lorry driver, doctor and any other career dream threads I've missed recently?

Peerzy · 31 Oct 2017 at 21:05

Or becoming a Physio and a driving instructor in Australia?

helpimcrap · 31 Oct 2017 at 21:09

Haha, currently I'm a lorry driver most weekends.

I'm also studying Physiotherapy at university.
This is something that could potentially take the place of an observation placement I have to do next year and also I'm off all summer so I will have a few months I can do this in. It helps towards my CV, especially if I work with kids who are challenged in some way either physically or mentally. But I'm not sure about hat as 9 weeks could be too much too soon...

iamdjdz · 31 Oct 2017 at 21:16

My brother met his now wife at Camp America. The one he did was north New York state and the kids they got were mainly from New York and Buffalo and were involved in gang related stuff so it was a release for them. He loved it and while it had challenges he had a whale of a time. I'd say do it!

helpimcrap · 31 Oct 2017 at 21:24

iamdjdz said:
My brother met his now wife at Camp America. The one he did was north New York state and the kids they got were mainly from New York and Buffalo and were involved in gang related stuff so it was a release for them. He loved it and while it had challenges he had a whale of a time. I'd say do it!

Thanks for the input.

Good stuff - just checked Americamp out more - you have to buy your own flights and sort medical/CRB out so that's another £600!

Makes Camp America seem a bit better,

dowie · 31 Oct 2017 at 21:43

So if you're booking your own flights and visas what exactly are you paying for? Surely you're there to work for them and get paid no?

helpimcrap · 31 Oct 2017 at 21:49

dowie said:
So if you're booking your own flights and visas what exactly are you paying for? Surely you're there to work for them and get paid no?

From what I can work out everything is free except getting there food/lodgings and you get a bit of money. I don't entirely get it hence why I'm asking.
Camp America seems like a better and simpler option - a little bit of money but not much. Essentially you are paying for the flights and Visas but still about £800..... some food for thought.

dowie · 31 Oct 2017 at 21:51

If everything is free and you're paying for flights and visas yourself then what is the fee there for? It just seems rather odd or rather a good scheme by these camps, aren't they supposed to be paying you?