Gap Year Advice and Information

Look Forward to Summer 2005 - BUNAC

Working on a children’s summer camp in the USA is a popular and low cost way of spending a summer working abroad.  However many peoples initial reaction is… ‘American kids….NO!’

SO WHAT ARE THE THOUSANDS OF YOUNG BRITS WHO DO SUMMER CAMP USA GETTING OUT OF IT?

Well first of all summer camps are not an ‘easy’ summer. In fact you may work harder than you have ever worked in your life. However there is a good chance it will also be the most rewarding, challenging and fun summer of your life.

Summer camps are an institution within the USA; American kids have a longer summer holiday than children in the UK. For many it is the norm to go to camp for part of that long ‘vacation’. At some camps the children stay for 4 or eight weeks, at others there may be a new group of kids every once or two weeks.

Camps vary enormously. Private traditional camps are typically paid for by parents and cater for children from comfortable backgrounds. There are also camps run by charities which offer breaks for children from more disadvantaged backgrounds. These may be run by organisations such as the YMCA. Other camps may have a specific religious focus.  There are also camps for children with special needs such as physical or mental disabilities. Whatever your skills or interests there will be a camp to suit you!

What all camps have in common is a need to recruit qualified and experienced staff to work with children. Each year BUNAC’s Summer Camp USA programme places thousands of young people at jobs on summer camps. The type of people BUNAC is looking for:

•    Have experience of working with children a leadership capacity

•    Are able to teach a sport or activity (e.g. swimming, riding, drama, arts & crafts etc.).

In return BUNAC...

•    Interviews and places you in a position that best matches your skills.

•    Arranges your flights and visa.

•    Provides full support in the UK and USA.

SO WHO TAKES PART ON SUMMER CAMP USA?

Simon Marshall was a Sports Management student at Sheffield Hallam University when he first decided to apply for Summer Camp USA.

“In my first year on camp in 2003, I was employed as a hike counsellor, which not surprisingly involved taking groups of campers on hikes! In 2004 I went back to camp and was primarily employed as one of the camp DJ’s which meant that I played the music at the ever-popular camp dances, taught campers how to DJ and mix together the music that they loved, and broadcast music that they would not usually hear on the camp radio station!”

Michelle Tirrell was a Medical Microbiology student at Newcastle University

“I worked at Camp Kinder Ring.  This camp was a traditional private residential camp in upstate New York, catering for regular campers aged from six to sixteen.  During my first year I was a general counsellor which meant I lived in a bunk with about 10 kids and would go to their activities with them and generally be as much of a kid as they were!”

Both Simon and Michelle agree that taking part on Summer Camp USA is an amazing experience.

Simon says “I had spent other summers working at the local cinema, and was determined to do something different. I’m a bright lights, big city type of person however I love my time on camp. I have made the most amazing group of friends from all over the world and the connection you build with the kids is incredible. It really is the most rewarding experience I have ever had.”

FUTURE BENEFITS

Summer Camp USA not only gives you a packed address book, taking part also looks great on a CV whether or not you are planning to work with children in the future. Your summer experience will leave you able to demonstrate that you have the following personal qualities:

•    Leadership experience.

•    Experience of working in a team.

•    Independence.

•    Responsibility.

•    A sense of adventure!

MONEY MATTERS

Taking part on BUNAC’s Summer Camp USA is possibly one of the best value opportunities to work abroad during the summer.

•    Up front costs are in the region of £260. This covers the programme fee, fully comprehensive insurance and the cost of your visa.

•    Your flight, food and accommodation are all provided. Although you do not have to pay for them up-front you pay for them with your salary for camp whilst you are working, however you will also get some cash!

•    If you are under 21 you will received a minimum of $820 If you are over 21 a minimum of $880

 It is not too late to apply to Summer Camp USA for summer 2005.

For further information and a brochure go to www.bunac.org
or call BUNAC on 020 7251 3472.