Camp AmericaReviews 43

Im currently completing my last days at a summer camp in Missouri. I have had a positive time. There are obvious negatives to the experience (40 degree heat, barely and time off, and the area camps are situated in is typically the 'middle of nowhere' so it feels very isolating) but anyone who does the appropriate research before signing up should be very aware of these facts.
What first timers are typically unaware of is the amount of money Camp America take of your paycheck- particularly in comparison to other agencies (Americamp, BUNAC etc).
To put it into numbers, my camp paid me around 4500 dollars this summer (10 weeks work), however after Camp American deductions, this totalled to 1500 (and i booked my own flights). Camp America sorted my insurance (also this is incredibly limited) and placed me with my camp, however I have a very hard time figuring out how this would cost 3000 dollars.
Camp America are a for profit agency, and typically capitalise off of young people with little experience or knowledge about working abroad- so little understanding about the extent of money taken from them.
Costs prior to arriving in America are also EXTENSIVE. Visa fees around 200, flight costs were around 800, background check 70, additional "agency fees" around 500.
Camp America have took around 3600 dollars from me this summer, with very little to show for it. My international camp friends who went with BUNAC or Americamp earnt significantly more than me each paycheck for doing the same role.
Camp in America is a very good experience, just go a non-profit agency!x

I'd avoid Arbutus Hayowentha if I were you. One of my friends had a minor problem with drinking at a campfire, WHILE ON HER TIME OFF She was legal to drink in her home country and didn't expect any problems in the US. She got a ticket for underage drinking in US. No big deal, but the camp director fired her immediately, despite the fact that she wasn't on camp time! No help was offered, she was basically just dismissed in a rural area in northern michigan.

By the way, others at the same campfire did not get dismissed. There are clearly favorites from the camp director, and if you end up on her bad side, good luck to you.

Earlier this year I spent the best 3 months of my life at Camp Louemma in New Jersey through the Camp America Program. I was incredibly nervous at first and wasn't entirely sure that summer camp was for me, but the Camp America staff were constantly on hand to help giving you great advice and tips on how to sell yourself and achieve a great placement for the summer!
I am now half way through my application to spend a second summer in the USA - and I can't thank Camp America enough for the opportunity.

I spent summer 2015 working at a Girl Scout camp in Upstate new York. I did this through Camp America who supported me the whole time. I found that if I have any questions, no matter how silly or small, they would always be there to help and always provided lots of support while completing my application and the whole time I was in the USA. Camp America are the only organisation who sponsor the J1 visa and I found this really process really easy and camp America made everything so simple and uncomplicated. This organisation allowed me to go and experience working on a summer camp and then I got the opportunity to travel after. Camp allowed me to gain confidence, independence and learn who I am and I cannot thank camp america enough for allowing me to have the best summer ever and I can't wait to go back for Summer 2016!

I did Camp America in summer 2015 working at a camp for disadvantaged children. The staff at the Camp America were extremely helpful along the whole application process and whilst I was out in America. It was the best summer of my life, I made so many great friends and it's something I'll never forget!

After being unsuccessful at 2 recruitment fairs at the start of 2015, I was feeling extremely disheartened and really did not think that I would be placed! I waited and waited then received the ready steady go offer so I was able to get my visa sorted (which is one of the reasons that Camp America are a great company)! I ended up being placed at the end of April! I would definitely say that even if you are unsuccessful at the recruitment fairs, never give up hope because camp has changed my life! I had the best summer, met so many amazing people are changed the lives of so many children. Camp America are great because they offer you so much support in getting you placed and getting you to camp! I would definitely recommend them as an organisation!

After 3 years working at Camp Hayowentha, Camp America have been great! I was placed at the London recruitment fair in 2013, I didn't have many skills, but past child care experience and a persistent attitude got me placed. Visas, flights and insurance was all made easy thanks to the CA staff. Not only was their support team great in the UK, but in America too. In three years, I have had friends who have had family emergencies, needed to move to another camp or just needed help and advice, Camp America has always delivered. If you want the best chance at getting hired and have the security in knowing you're not alone, choose Camp America.

Love working with children, have a passion for a skill and the love and ambition to travel. Camp America has given me all those things! I have been a life guard for the past 3 summers in the USA! The friends you meet, the children you teach and the environment you live in are a mixture of wonderful things during your time as a camp counsellor! Now on my 3rd year as a Brand Manager and 2nd year as a interviewer. Camp America has changed my life! 5* :D

I always wanted to do camp America and was forever counting down the days until I was 18 so I could apply. Applications opened for summer 2015 and I started straight away; I wouldn't even look back now. It was definitely the best decision I ever made and I can't thank the Camp America team enough. Yes, there's going over the US and having a blast for 9 weeks, but I couldn't have done it if it wasn't for the consistent support of the CA team in London; they work their butts off to find you that placement of a lifetime.
Summer 2015 was a summer of lifelong memories and friendships and I can't wait to do it all again for summer 2016! YAY CAMP!

Could not fault the office or the service in any way, the guys and girls in the office do so so much for each applicant and have always helped me out. They care and want you to have an awesome summer! After being hired at one of their super recruitment fairs and becoming a two time returner I absolutely love CA and cannot thank and praise them enough. If you want to go to camp for summer you shouldn't be using any other organisation, the original and the best. CA!

I worked at a Private camp for girls in Vermont (Fairlee) and was a chef or 'kitchen assistant' at Aloha Hive, The Aloha Foundation. Was majorly out my comfort zone and wanted to go home as soon as I saw the camp and got there but I actually had one of the best times of my life... Great organisation, has 6 camps in it and the 3 main camps would meet up for socials, American colleagues and public were friendly, learned how to deal with different characters and whole experience was a massive challenge for me. Went travelling after for 3 days with a friend from the US who was my neighbour in our halls flat at Uni - went to Boston and NYC... Awesome end to a once in a lifetime opportunity. Of course there are going to be good and bad things from experiences, you appreciate the good things more after bad things and bad people and whole thing builds you more as a person. There were mostly great people though :) Recommend it once but wouldn't do it again, I'm a family person and got things to do, but great opportunity to have and pretty much the only time in my life I could do it :)

This summer was the best one I have ever had, and I know when I return next summer it will be even better. What people don't realise is how much of an impact your time at camp will have on you and your life. Camp doesn't just go away come September, it is always there in your head and everyday you will hear yourself saying, 'I remember...' or 'This summer was so great because...' Camp is a place to learn new skills, have fun and be yourself, and because of this you will make the best friends you could ever imaging. These friendships have been built on a strong foundation of camp and will grow and last forever. These are the people you will speak to every day and cherish the memories. Camp is a place to laugh, grow and make a difference, why wouldn't you want to do that? Is it even really a question?