In the Summer of 2002 and 2003 I worked at a Summer Camp for Special Needs children in a place called Honesdale in the state of Penslyvannia (borders New York State, about a three hour drive from NYC). The Camp was called Summit and it is a very very special place indeed...
I was employed as an Arts and Crafts teacher, whats known as a 'specialist' in camp language. Bascially I would run activities for different groups of children for most of the day. the children ages from 6-18 and had a variety of social and emotional problems, particularly ADHA (attention, deficit, hyperactivity disorder) and amongst others obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, aspbergers, autism etc. Summit's whole philosophy is acceptance, on the whole these are children who have not been socially accepted and their time at camp is often what they look forward to the rest of the year round.
The placement was organised for me by the comapny BUNAC, but
you can also apply through the organisation Camp America which is exactly the same. As far as I am aware BUNAC pay slightly more than CA which is an advantage. Not that I mean to get you too excited about the pay that is, you do not go and work at a Summer Camp unless you want to go for the experience, the help the kids, to meet people, travel etc. The money is dire, but still there are 1000's of applicants and you arn't guarenteed a place (although if you have some previous experience and are entusiatic etc you shouldn't encounter problems). Additionally I would recomment BUNAC over CA as a friend applied through CA and she had a lot of problems contacting them while we were away and problems booking her return flight etc.... BUNAC primarily sorts out placements for students (although this isn't essential). Summer camps also arn't the only programme available you could apply for a work America/Work Canada visa or loads of others (as I didn't participate in such programme I will leave it to interested parties to check out this information themselves on the BUNAC website).
The application process is easy, just contact BUNAC around about January and they'll send you the forms, fill them in send them back and then hopefully you will be invited to attend an interview at a City nearby. The interview isn't anything to worry about it is really nothing more than an informal chat. Once through, sit back and wait and you will be 'placed' at a suitable camp depanding on the interests and experiences you specified on application. For example I had previous experience working with children with special needs and I requetsed a placement at a special needs camp. They are all sorts of camps, camps for the average kid (varying ages), 'fat camps' (seriously), religious camps, single-sex camps, scout camps etc and they all run different activities and events. For example some camps with specialise in horse riding, otehrs in music and drama. There is easily an opening for everyone. if you don't have a specialist area in mind you can apply as a general counsellor, which basically means you will work with, sleep with, eat with one group or bunk the whole time you're at camp and you will take them around to all of the varying activities, run by the specialists (like me).
Expect to work 6 days a week, with some time off in the day and one additional evening off a week. expect to get paid about £600 for your first year, BUNAC will pay you flights etc but you're also goign to end up forking out more than you expect on membership fees, admin fees, a CRB (police) check, visa processing fees (going to have got more difficult to obtain since I attended what with 9/11 as well) etc. in subsequent years, if the camp like you they will offer you a return contract and you stand to make quite a bit more money as you apply through BUNAC as a 'returner' as you sort out your own flight etc then BUNAC won't expect as much money from you second time around, if you are good at your job you can also 'negotiate' pay with your boss!
Despite the poor pay and the long hours I would recommend a Summer working in the US to anyone with a love of kids and a desire to get out of the UK and travel. Most of the camps are situated on the East coast so it's likely you'll fly to NYC, an amazing city, it's also likely you'll make American and/or Canadain friends, always good to crash with after Camp and additionally you will meet other people from around the world!
So... have you got a few spare months this Summer???? Applications will be being taken now!!! Check out the website (just do a quick search for BUNAC on google) and see if you can make a difference this Summer!!
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Enjoyable review! If anyone is thinking about working abroad you should check out http://www.oneworld365.org
Geordidave 15.10.2007 14:51
Great review! You should really send this into www.summercampworldwide.com or pst it on their forum as it would be really helpful for people going next summer!
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