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summer camp Qs (not FAQs!)

Hi
I am about to apply via CCUSA for summer camp work but have a few stupid questions as the idea of camp is totally new to me:

1. As a general counsellor do you spend any time independently leading your group, say just you and them around the campfire in the evening, or planning games just for this one group - or do you spend most of the organised spare time with all the other campers?

2. Even if your camp is co-ed, I'm guessing you only get a single-sex group since you're all sharing a cabin..? Is that right?

3. If there is a single sex camp is there always a brother/sister camp close by to socialise with? (Not sure how I would cope with just girls for that long!)

4. Medical examination - does this have to be done before a certain time in your application, or is it enough to get it a week before you leave for the states? (I'm already living abroad and don't want to fly back too much)

5. When roughly are the orientation (in UK) days -is there any choice on dates?

6. Out of interest, has anyone had any real problems with the kids misbehaving?!

If anyone can answer any of these I would be really grateful!

Joey

Reply 1

Breadcake

Hey, I have spent two summers working at a girl scout camp in California each camp is different but at my camp this is how it went:

1) As a general counsellor we did spend time with solely are units leading activities, there was always at least one other counsellor with you. However, this was for a maximum of a couple of hours a day.

2) My camp was single sex, but i highly doubt that aca (the accreditation systems camps go through) would ever permit mixed cabins.

3) My camp didn't have a brother camp, however just because a camp is single sex for campers doesn't mean it will be single sex for staff. My camp certainly employed staff of both sexes.

4) Medical examination just has to be done in time for camp; you just have to have it with you when you turn up at the airport.

5) There are normally a couple of orientation day’s u.k. Around march/April time i believe (not really sure). However, i didn't go to one either of my years at camp so i can't tell you anything about them!

6) I certainly experienced difficulties with kids while I was there however, anything major you can just call in your ad staff (camp directors etc) for back up. I highly doubt that at any camp they would leave you with things you can't handle!

Enjoy your summer, am sure you will have a fab time!

ace - thanks!

stockholm

Hi
Hi. I'm Andy, I went to Summer Camp this past summer ('05) and will be returning to the same camp this June as I had such a fantastic time. I travelled through BUNAC, a much similar organisation and I would suggest that you check fully your options, and the financial outlay needed for CCUSA, before committing to them.

Onto your questions:

stockholm

1. As a general counsellor do you spend any time independently leading your group, say just you and them around the campfire in the evening, or planning games just for this one group - or do you spend most of the organised spare time with all the other campers?

As a general counsellor (or Cabin Specialist), you will be under the direction of a Group/Unit leader who will be in leadership of the group of children in your cabin and all those in the same age group which may take several cabins.
Where the evening schedule is muchly organised for you to go down as a group; this doesn't mean that your leadership skills might not be put to the test - you could be having to use your initiative to spontaneously think of a game or song to keep the kids engaged or interested.
Back in your cabin particularly during times such as rest hour - this is where you as a counsellor come hugely into play - what you do in that hour is vital, either to get them to write letters home, or to practise a new cheer for at the flagpole. Free-play is another key chance for you to show your skills, where you may be allocated a particular sports court or pitch and you could choose a conventional game associated with that area, or you could come up with something crazy !
Bear in mind that it is likely that one day of the week, just like you, your Group Leader will have his/her day off - a chance again for you to use your initiative.
However, most of the schedule is already planned out by the program office, who will tell your kids what activity they are going to next, you just move to that activity with them and aid the activity teaching staff.

stockholm

2. Even if your camp is co-ed, I'm guessing you only get a single-sex group since you're all sharing a cabin..? Is that right?

Yep, in terms of general counselling. If you're an activity specialist then obviously you end up teaching both sexes; but your living group will only consist of those of the same sex.

stockholm

3. If there is a single sex camp is there always a brother/sister camp close by to socialise with? (Not sure how I would cope with just girls for that long!)

Very often - but not always there would be a brother/sister set up so that if there is a brother and a sister in the same family they can both go to the same camping area.

stockholm

4. Medical examination - does this have to be done before a certain time in your application, or is it enough to get it a week before you leave for the states? (I'm already living abroad and don't want to fly back too much)

LOL it's not really a medical examination; it's normally a blood pressure, weight and height check to make sure that you're healthy to travel.
You'd also have your GP fill out your innoculation history. The form you'll be sent by your camp to have filled in is going to be very similar to this. Your GP may charge a nominal fee (circa £15) to complete the form. It's good to have the information in as soon as possible to your camp, but if it means have the med exam a week before you fly out and taking the form with you to camp then so be it.
Without that form however, your camp won't be able to treat you for as much as a scrape on the knee with an antiseptic wipe.

stockholm

5. When roughly are the orientation (in UK) days -is there any choice on dates?

Very often these occur in late April-mid May; and there is a choice of venues and dates - I went to one in Newcastle as I couldn't make the one in Leeds which would have been closer.

stockholm

6. Out of interest, has anyone had any real problems with the kids misbehaving?!

Not at all. Sometimes the kids get a little excitable, but that's understandable. Early doors they'll try and push you a little bit, but thats down to you being new and they don't know how to play you - thats where you've just got to lay down the rules early on.
As a first timer don't be afraid to give them respect, (but don't fall for some of the "rules" they'll make you believe!), have fun, and set a positive example. You are their role model, they will take your behaviours and behave just like that.
You are going to have a great summer I'm sure of it ! :biggrin: