AmeriCamp 2016

I want to apply for 2016 but don't if I should pick between americamp, Canada camp or Thailand camp

Reply 5

Original post by Staceyc1990

I'm thinking of applying for 2016. Can I ask why you are better/different than camp America? Thanks :smile:

Hi! I applied through Americamp. They've been ok, but haven't really had much contact since the initial application. It costs slightly more to go with them, but you make more money at the end. I worked out, that for a 19 year old, including a £45 medical check (what my doctor charged), £134 visa, £45 DBS check, flights, and programme costs, you LOSE £305 with Camp America, but MAKE about £60 with Americamp. Camp America pay $750, and Americamp pay $1550.
... Americamp still get paid $1150 directly from your camp too, so make nearly £1000 from every application (including programme fees). But just imagine how much Camp America are making off you if they're paying you so much less!

I'd recommend applying to camps directly and then using an agency like InterExchange for your visa. You'll probably make closer to a £1000 at the end of it. I know you do it for the experience, but 3 months work should not equal £60. I wish I'd heard about other options sooner, and will do it a different way next year. It's too late for me to change, but I'm still going this year for the experience!

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 6

Original post by Mojojojo

Hi! I applied through Americamp. They've been ok, but haven't really had much contact since the initial application. It costs slightly more to go with them, but you make more money at the end. I worked out, that for a 19 year old, including a £45 medical check (what my doctor charged), £134 visa, £45 DBS check, flights, and programme costs, you LOSE £305 with Camp America, but MAKE about £60 with Americamp. Camp America pay $750, and Americamp pay $1550.
... Americamp still get paid $1150 directly from your camp too, so make nearly £1000 from every application (including programme fees). But just imagine how much Camp America are making off you if they're paying you so much less!

I'd recommend applying to camps directly and then using an agency like InterExchange for your visa. You'll probably make closer to a £1000 at the end of it. I know you do it for the experience, but 3 months work should not equal £60. I wish I'd heard about other options sooner, and will do it a different way next year. It's too late for me to change, but I'm still going this year for the experience!

Did you happen to get in and what role did you apply to

Reply 7

Original post by AmeriCamp

Hey TSR!

Before you know it, it will be time to apply for AmeriCamp 2016!

Let us know if you have any questions or if you are deferring your application from 2015.

Much Love and #FreeBiscuits

AmeriCamp x

what roles are available if your not that sporty

Reply 8

Original post by Audiology-Med

Did you happen to get in and what role did you apply to

I was offered an interview with a camp, but they really weren't for me and I know I wouldn't have been happy there, so rejected it. It was in Kentucky, and was quite Christian with chapel and devotion every day, with its main aims being to instill Christian values! I also didn't tick religious camps but I guess it slipped through the net.
I have a Skype interview next week with another camp that I'm really excited about. I'm not totally sure what the job will be, possibly culinary arts, or arts and crafts.

To answer your other question about roles for non-sporty people. I'm not that sporty at all! It does limit you a bit, but there are loads. You can be a general counsellor so you just do what the kids do each day, but you spent 24/7 with the same kids this way, escorting them to all activities, taking part, as well as eating and sleeping with them. I'd quite like this and this was the role I wanted, but most camps want someone who can teach a speciality as well.
There are other activities and electives too that you can teach if you have experience, such as ceramics, painting, radio, film-making, editing, guitar/musical instrument teaching, acting, fun science, cooking, computers, woodwork etc. Just Google American summer camps and have a look at the activities they offer. There are thousands of camps (Americamp won't use them all), but if you have skills that camps want you have a good chance of being placed. If not, emphasise your experience with children, apply early and hope for a general counsellor role.

Reply 9

OP

Original post by Totsdy

I'm taking a gap year and reapplying to uni to start in October 2016. Can I apply for a support role?
And if I don't get into uni could I switch to counsellor?

You have to still be classed as a student to be support staff, so depends on the technicalities of your Gap Year. If you are still a student with the university then that should be okay, but give us a call just to check.

Some people do swap from support staff to camp counsellors, but depends on the circumstances as you can only apply for one.

How's your weekend been? x

Reply 10

OP

Original post by Audiology-Med

I want to apply for 2016 but don't if I should pick between americamp, Canada camp or Thailand camp

There are some amazing options out there and we love the guys at Camp Canada and Camp Thailand. It depends on how much time you have got? Potentially you could do Camp Canada or Camp Thailand after AmeriCamp? x

Reply 11

OP

Original post by Mojojojo

Hi! I applied through Americamp. They've been ok, but haven't really had much contact since the initial application. It costs slightly more to go with them, but you make more money at the end. I worked out, that for a 19 year old, including a £45 medical check (what my doctor charged), £134 visa, £45 DBS check, flights, and programme costs, you LOSE £305 with Camp America, but MAKE about £60 with Americamp. Camp America pay $750, and Americamp pay $1550.
... Americamp still get paid $1150 directly from your camp too, so make nearly £1000 from every application (including programme fees). But just imagine how much Camp America are making off you if they're paying you so much less!

I'd recommend applying to camps directly and then using an agency like InterExchange for your visa. You'll probably make closer to a £1000 at the end of it. I know you do it for the experience, but 3 months work should not equal £60. I wish I'd heard about other options sooner, and will do it a different way next year. It's too late for me to change, but I'm still going this year for the experience!

Hi Mojo

How are you? Hope you're good!

We just want to confirm that these figures are actually incorrect. We can't talk for Camp America as it's not our place to say what they make, but AmeriCamp does not get paid $1150 directly from the camp and we definitely do not make £1000 an application! We might be sitting on a beach in Bermuda eating luxury biscuits if we did not here in Manchester. :P

There are so many things that also have to be considered such as medical insurance amongst many other things.

Whichever way you look at it, you will make money through us and we are so thankful that you decided to come through us. The circumstances do change depending on skill sets and age as well. Albeit you are doing it for the experience it's nice to know you won't be out of pocket.

We actually pay salaries up to $1845 in different circumstances and in some cases people actually get a lot more, we just don't advertise it.

Hope this helps

x

Reply 12

OP

Original post by Audiology-Med

what roles are available if your not that sporty

We have loads!

Arts and Crafts
Drama
General Counsellors
Support Staff

A full list can be found on our website x

Reply 13

Original post by AmeriCamp

We have loads!

Arts and Crafts
Drama
General Counsellors
Support Staff

A full list can be found on our website x

I definitely would be interested in the general counsellor role, I'm hoping to apply for summer 2016 :smile:

Reply 14

Original post by AmeriCamp

Hi Mojo

How are you? Hope you're good!

We just want to confirm that these figures are actually incorrect. We can't talk for Camp America as it's not our place to say what they make, but AmeriCamp does not get paid $1150 directly from the camp and we definitely do not make £1000 an application! We might be sitting on a beach in Bermuda eating luxury biscuits if we did not here in Manchester. :P

There are so many things that also have to be considered such as medical insurance amongst many other things.

Whichever way you look at it, you will make money through us and we are so thankful that you decided to come through us. The circumstances do change depending on skill sets and age as well. Albeit you are doing it for the experience it's nice to know you won't be out of pocket.

We actually pay salaries up to $1845 in different circumstances and in some cases people actually get a lot more, we just don't advertise it.

Hope this helps

x

When you are limited for options, I agree Americamp is the best option as you break even. But, my application does say 'Pocket Money* 1550, CCUSA fee 1150'.
This indicates that the camp pays you $1150, as well as receiving the £249 application fee from me (which granted goes towards medical insurance etc.)

Reply 15

OP

Original post by Audiology-Med

I definitely would be interested in the general counsellor role, I'm hoping to apply for summer 2016 :smile:

That's awesome! Well we'd love to have you that's for sure.

How has your weekend been?

AmeriCamp x

Reply 16

HollyAre

Hi!

I'm hoping to apply for a general counsellor role, I've got experience working with kids but don't have a specific skill that I could teach - does that matter?
When you ask for three skills, is that specific things such as playing sports or musical instruments, or more general things like organisation and teamwork?

Thanks!

Reply 17

Sorry, don't wanna cause a fuss or anything. But if you don't get paid $1150 by camp why do the applications say CCUSA fee $1150, and pocket money $1550? Just trying to understand, as we pay an application fee which should cover the costs involved?

Reply 18

smileitsjess

Original post by AmeriCamp

Hey TSR!

Before you know it, it will be time to apply for AmeriCamp 2016!

Let us know if you have any questions or if you are deferring your application from 2015.

Much Love and #FreeBiscuits

AmeriCamp x

Hi AmeriCamp,

I'll be returning to camp for my 2nd summer in 2015 with the same company that I applied with for my first but I haven't been anywhere near as impressed with their service as a returner. Chances are I'll be returning for a 3rd year in 2016 and I'm definitely looking at changing companies due to the experience I've had this year.

Is there anything specific that makes AmeriCamp stand out from the other options that I have? I haven't put that much research into it yet so just thought I would ask!

Thanks!

Jess x

Reply 19

OP