I Worked at a Summer Camp in the U.S., and Here’s Why I Will Be Returning.
As the days grow shorter and we all settle into autumn, it is the perfect time to reminisce about the past summer and start looking ahead to the next one.
Last summer, I worked as a camp counsellor at a summer camp and yes, it is better than in the movies and, I must admit, I haven’t had a single day where I haven’t thought about the life I had over the summer.
How did I end up finding out about the job of a camp counselor? Well, that’s a funny story. Last December, I came across an advert for summer camps on Facebook and was immediately interested – the idea of getting to teach horseback riding, experiencing camp life and, obviously, living in the United States for the summer instantly lit a variety of Christmas lights in my mind. So, I did my research on the job of a camp counsellor, sent my application and found my camp only a couple weeks later.
My camp is in Connecticut. I flew into New York City and had a real pinch-me moment as I was walking the streets of Manhattan after 9pm accompanied by my coworkers, lugging behind me my pink suitcase. After a crisp 22 hours of travel, I fell asleep before I had the chance to chat to my colleagues but, as is only fitting, I woke up the next morning at 6am to get a glimpse of the city before we had to head over to camp.
Working at summer camp is not the easiest job you will have: the days are long; the heat gets to you (we saw temperatures approaching 43°C); there will be days where you are tired. However, I found it one of the most fulfilling jobs I’ve had. Getting to teach campers about horses and horseback riding, getting to know my campers and being able to produce memories through experiences is an incredibly rewarding opportunity that you’re going to carry with you for a long time. At camp, you find meaning and joy in the little things, such as rest hour conversations, gazing at the starry sky, and singing during campfires. You find yourself enjoying living with other people, minimizing the use of technology and embracing the outdoors.
During the week we ran activities through the day, and after dinner we had an evening activity, the content of which changes daily. An evening program may be a square dance, showcase, or a pool party, and many have favorite evening activities they are specifically looking forward to. As I was a barn counselor, I spent my days at the barn and evenings with my village. Sometimes, I found myself equipped with a camera and other times I had the opportunity to participate in athletics or adventure activities!
Over the summer, I had countless s’mores, saw four different sessions, adapted programs for rainy days, experienced square dance and Kaos, rode a zipline, made an unknown number of bracelets, grew as a leader and learnt that I absolutely adore teaching.
Will I be returning to camp? My answer is a short, sweet, and definitive yes.
Do I recommend working at summer camp? Absolutely! If you think you would love to work with children, are ready for long days filled with fun and adventure and have a skill you could teach at camp, I think going to camp is an incredibly valuable experience where you learn a multitude of lessons you could not learn in this specific form anywhere else. Camp is a unique environment, providing opportunities to grow every single day as a person, a counselor, and a friend, and should not be underestimated as an experience and a job.
What is the process like to apply?
My experience is only my personal one – there’s multiple agencies offering camp placements, and I only have experience of one agency. However, I will give you a few pointers of what your application and visa process may look like.
I sent my application in late December, and I feel it was the perfect timing. This allowed for me to have plenty of time to schedule my visa appointment at the United States embassy, take care of any additional documents needed and organize my life back home for my absence over the summer. The general rule of thumb I’d consider in sending your application is the earlier the better, as then you will not be as hurried in the process of finding your camp and acquiring your visa.
When it comes to your application, the one advice I am going to give you is to be honest with yourself and your answers! Your answers are going to affect the activity areas you will be considered for at camp, and thus filling out your application carefully is going to help you have a successful summer. Consider what you want your camp experience to be like and find a camp that matches your preferences – I interviewed with a few different camps before committing to mine.
If you are worried about not knowing everything you must take care of, worry not! Your agency is going to help you make sure you have all the required documents. I felt supported through my journey and found the process rather straight forward in the end.
If you’re interested in working at a summer camp but have any questions on the topic, I’m happy to answer them. Just send me an email and I will get back to you!
