Camp America

At the age of eighteen I had just finished my first term at university in Liverpool, England and was looking for a fresh challenge for the summer. I had travelled since an early age and love new adventures, so I started investigating the possibility of working abroad.

When I looked at all the different options one that appealed was going to the USA and becoming a camp counsellor. I thought the placement would offer me a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and travel whilst integrating into a new and exciting society.

I managed to get connected and after filling out the application form I had to attend an interview where it was assessed if I was right for the type of work available. This interview was extremely successful and I was told to attend a pre departure meeting month before I left for the U.S.A..

My departure date to fly from London Heathrow to New York was on the 18th June 2003, the only problem was that I still didn't have a placement at a summer camp!!! I arrived in New York, then all the camp counselors were transported from the airport to the hotel for the night whilst the company tried to arranged summer camp placements to hundreds of International staff, who like me hadn't yet been placed.

When I arrived at the hotel, I went into the main office which was sending people to camps all over the country. I felt quite apprehensive and waited as they found a suitable camp to send me too. The American man said 'Well, most of the summer camps are full now, but we have found you a place at midget camp.' I was like, hmm what?

He told me I was off to midget camp where I was to teach dwarfs to trampoline. I was a bit shocked by this, I had travelled all this way and I was to teach dwarfs how to trampoline??? But the man assured me it was great place, as he put it "When you play basketball you can dunk the hoop!" I was speechless, and went a very pale colour. It was at this point the people in the office started taking pictures of me and laughing that I realised he was only joking!!!

I was then told I would be placed at a summer camp located in Maryland. Afterwards I thought, wow midget camp would have been really fun! Luckily I went on to spend the two most amazing summers at a summer camp located on the East Coast of the United States In Maryland. During these two special summers I met so many really amazing friends from all over the world.

I would say to anyone thinking about going to summer camp, definately apply!!!

For more information visit:

http://www.summercampworldwide.com