[mollymustard]

Originally Posted by Holamigo

well everyone likes to go to an Ordinary one so they are quite popular.. what about girl scout camp ?
You probably have a good chance with an underprivaledged camp as it would be quite hard!

What I liked about my camp was - that there was a different 'camp' every week.. first week was people with HIV, second was TBI - adults with traumatic brain injuries..

we had one week which was for underprivaledged kids - I was lucky my campers weren't too bad but a LOT in my cabin had such an attitude!

The boys cabins were so naughty! - one boy smashed the window and glass went in his wrist!
So be prepared for real kids with attitudes! they have come from a not-so-good background so I understand why they act like they do.

Is it really difficult to get an 'ordinary' camp then? I dont really want to do a girl scout one as I really want to work with both sexes and I already assist running a Brownie pack in the UK so I want something really differnet.

I'm prepared for underprivaledged I've got some experience of that area, but I'd love the traditional american camp experience ideally.

I know its a bit early to ask all this but what happens when you arrive? Do you get down to work straight away or do you get a day or so to settle in?

[Loulabell]

Does anyone know how much it costs to go back as a returner? CCUSA still haven't got back to telling me, after 2 weeks!!

[Holamigo]

Originally Posted by Loulabell

Does anyone know how much it costs to go back as a returner? CCUSA still haven't got back to telling me, after 2 weeks!!

Hmm I know its ALOT cheaper. I remember one of the returners talking about it.. can't remember how much she said though! i'm sure they will get back to you if you keep nagging them.

[Holamigo]

Originally Posted by mollymustard

Is it really difficult to get an 'ordinary' camp then? I dont really want to do a girl scout one as I really want to work with both sexes and I already assist running a Brownie pack in the UK so I want something really differnet.

I'm prepared for underprivaledged I've got some experience of that area, but I'd love the traditional american camp experience ideally.

I know its a bit early to ask all this but what happens when you arrive? Do you get down to work straight away or do you get a day or so to settle in?

oo you have a really good chance! especially if you already assist running a Brownie pack - any camp will like that and that your applying quite early!

It was mad when i arrived! I felt so overwhelmed with it all.
I arrived on the sunday night then we had monday off -we all went to the mall together!
Then on Tuesday Training began! which was so boringg! and that lasted until the first week of June.

Not every camp has training I don't think.. Thats why a lot start in June.. I just had to fly out earlier in May especially for it.

[benlewis13]

Every camp should have a training/orientation week, some peoples late flight dates may mean they miss it though.

[mollymustard]

Originally Posted by Holamigo

oo you have a really good chance! especially if you already assist running a Brownie pack - any camp will like that and that your applying quite early!

It was mad when i arrived! I felt so overwhelmed with it all.
I arrived on the sunday night then we had monday off -we all went to the mall together!
Then on Tuesday Training began! which was so boringg! and that lasted until the first week of June.

Not every camp has training I don't think.. Thats why a lot start in June.. I just had to fly out earlier in May especially for it.

Just finished application and paid! As soon as I did it I started feeling a little nervous already It seems such a scary step when you think about it in too much detail!

[Holamigo]

Originally Posted by mollymustard

Just finished application and paid! As soon as I did it I started feeling a little nervous already It seems such a scary step when you think about it in too much detail!

oo well done for getting it in so quick!
I know how that feels! I had to wait for 4 months after I put mine in.. there was so many times I wanted to withdraw it! I'm so glad I didn't!

You will have such an amazing experience, one that you will never forget!
Just remember that!

[mollymustard]

Originally Posted by Holamigo

oo well done for getting it in so quick!
I know how that feels! I had to wait for 4 months after I put mine in.. there was so many times I wanted to withdraw it! I'm so glad I didn't!

You will have such an amazing experience, one that you will never forget!
Just remember that!

Really!? Its good to know its not unusual to feel like that.
I've looked online at some peoples experiences and lots of them seem like a mixed bag - with a general good experience but some really depressing/low times espeically in the first week.

What was your camp like food and accomodation wise?

[Holamigo]

Originally Posted by mollymustard

Really!? Its good to know its not unusual to feel like that.
I've looked online at some peoples experiences and lots of them seem like a mixed bag - with a general good experience but some really depressing/low times espeically in the first week.

What was your camp like food and accomodation wise?

yeahh there were definitely some low times! but i was always surrounded by people so I didn't even have time to think most of the time! The first week was so exciting & scary- there were times when I felt a bit down! but it was fine because other people were in the same boat!
HAha the food! = awful - I've gained over a stone! :/
we had 'cook outs' (BBQ's) every week at the dance.. which was hot dogs, burgers etc.. not a lot of healthy food at all.

The accomodation was quite rustic! I thought it would be worse though!
there were cabins at main camp.. which we shared with about 10 other people on bunkbeds.
Then the toilets& showers were like a 3 minute walk in the forest! VERY scary in the middle of the night when needing the loo especially if you see a racoon! The toilets had shower curtains on -not doors! which was kinda annoying and hard to have some privacy but you get used to it.
We had to change cabins everyweek - which was a pain when moving stuff.. and I constantly had to live out my suitcase but then I am kind of glad because i got to know different people!

There were a lot of things that we werent told before! which I was quite angry at and so were the other Brits at the camp.

Like the fact that we wouldn't all get campers in every camp!
One of the head councellors (who was british) told us this.. and it was as if they were keeping it a secret! because next thing the manager asked her to come to the office and camp america were on the phone and they were ready to take her to the airport! so she nearly got fired over it.. she had to step down from head counsellor to counsellor in the end..
so theres little things like that you have to watch out for.. they can fire you so easy over there!

[mollymustard]

Originally Posted by Holamigo

yeahh there were definitely some low times! but i was always surrounded by people so I didn't even have time to think most of the time! The first week was so exciting & scary- there were times when I felt a bit down! but it was fine because other people were in the same boat!
HAha the food! = awful - I've gained over a stone! :/
we had 'cook outs' (BBQ's) every week at the dance.. which was hot dogs, burgers etc.. not a lot of healthy food at all.

The accomodation was quite rustic! I thought it would be worse though!
there were cabins at main camp.. which we shared with about 10 other people on bunkbeds.
Then the toilets& showers were like a 3 minute walk in the forest! VERY scary in the middle of the night when needing the loo especially if you see a racoon! The toilets had shower curtains on -not doors! which was kinda annoying and hard to have some privacy but you get used to it.
We had to change cabins everyweek - which was a pain when moving stuff.. and I constantly had to live out my suitcase but then I am kind of glad because i got to know different people!

There were a lot of things that we werent told before! which I was quite angry at and so were the other Brits at the camp.

Like the fact that we wouldn't all get campers in every camp!
One of the head councellors (who was british) told us this.. and it was as if they were keeping it a secret! because next thing the manager asked her to come to the office and camp america were on the phone and they were ready to take her to the airport! so she nearly got fired over it.. she had to step down from head counsellor to counsellor in the end..
so theres little things like that you have to watch out for.. they can fire you so easy over there!

Ahh speaking of food - I'm vegetarian. Is it going to be really really bad for me

Sorry I don't understand - you didn't get campers at every camp? You mean there were some weeks with nothing to do?

[Blink2009]

I'm thinking of applying through the ccusa website for summer 2010.

Does anyone have any experience with dealing with them and could give me any advice or pointers?

[Holamigo]

Originally Posted by mollymustard

Ahh speaking of food - I'm vegetarian. Is it going to be really really bad for me

Sorry I don't understand - you didn't get campers at every camp? You mean there were some weeks with nothing to do?

nope because they had employed too many staff.. and so not all counsellors were needed! some camps brought there own counsellors with them! so at one time we all werent needed!

We had 'work projects' which we still got payed for but they were a load of crap!

First week of camp I had to work in the kitchen! it was awful.
its gonna be a bit hard being a vegetarian.. because they are all about meat!.. but i'm sure you could tell the cook at the start of the summer so they know.

Another week.. we had to rake leaves and shovel horse poo! (not joking) everyone was pretty angry about it!

but the campers made the experience for me I try to forget about those pointless weeks really.

[SensiDub]

Looks absolutely terrible. I'd imagine it'd be like living in one of those over top Disney Channel sitcoms where everything is 'awesome', and all that dancing.

[benlewis13]

Originally Posted by SensiDub

Looks absolutely terrible. I'd imagine it'd be like living in one of those over top Disney Channel sitcoms where everything is 'awesome', and all that dancing.

And thats what makes it so great!

[Holamigo]

Originally Posted by SensiDub

Looks absolutely terrible. I'd imagine it'd be like living in one of those over top Disney Channel sitcoms where everything is 'awesome', and all that dancing.

yepp was exactly like this!
very cheesy camp songs that you have to sing before every meal !
and we had to dance after meals too.

was fun

[Expression]

Originally Posted by Holamigo

yepp was exactly like this!
very cheesy camp songs that you have to sing before every meal !
and we had to dance after meals too.

was fun

Too right. It appears strange looking in - and to be honest, for the first couple of days you try to figure out the hugging, hi-fiving, dancing and general ethos - and you think "I'll never be like that, what have I got myself into?!"

And those of us who have been and done it, all know that by the end of it, we're just as into it as the Americans!

That said, you wouldn't do some of that stuff down the high street, it just works because it's summer camp.

[bexicle89]

Originally Posted by mollymustard

Is it really difficult to get an 'ordinary' camp then? I dont really want to do a girl scout one as I really want to work with both sexes and I already assist running a Brownie pack in the UK so I want something really differnet.

I'm prepared for underprivaledged I've got some experience of that area, but I'd love the traditional american camp experience ideally.

I know its a bit early to ask all this but what happens when you arrive? Do you get down to work straight away or do you get a day or so to settle in?

The earlier you apply the easier it's going to be to get placed somewhere 'normal' but if you put down on your preferred list of camps 'Special needs' or 'Girl scouts' you may be headhunted as many people don't apply for those camps.

The camp I worked at brought in underpriveledged children and I personally had no issue with it, some of them I met were the kindest kids I have ever met, there isn't a stigma attatched, they really thought of counselors as older siblings and a few poured their hearts out, the stuff that was said wells me up right now. They really appreciated the unity of friendship at camp.

I know somebody else answered your question. But I'll give you my two cents, this summer I worked at a Christian Church run camp in the South for 8 weeks... compared to many other camps we did very little work in regard to skills, leading activities we didn't do at all - that was all by ministers etc.

So what our days were like:
7.30 wake kids, get ready.
8.15 go to flag raising and line up for breakfast,
9.15 go back to cabin and do teeth,
10.00 drop kids at bible class,
11.00 marshal kids from b/c to activity.
12.00 muster (songs and praise)
12.15 lunch.
1.15 Cabin time/ball field.
1.30 escort kids to activity.
2.30 pick kids up to go to get snacks and go pool.
4.10 leave pool and return to cabins. 5.15 flag lowering and dinner.
6.30 organised recreation with kids.
19.30 snack time.
20.00 evening program.
21.30 everyone return to cabin.
22.00 lights out for kids.
12.30 lights out for staff.

My co-counselor and I stayed in a cabin with an average 12 girls aged 11-15 (the camps only lasted one week and thus changed so often).

[mollymustard]

Originally Posted by bexicle89

The earlier you apply the easier it's going to be to get placed somewhere 'normal' but if you put down on your preferred list of camps 'Special needs' or 'Girl scouts' you may be headhunted as many people don't apply for those camps.

The camp I worked at brought in underpriveledged children and I personally had no issue with it, some of them I met were the kindest kids I have ever met, there isn't a stigma attatched, they really thought of counselors as older siblings and a few poured their hearts out, the stuff that was said wells me up right now. They really appreciated the unity of friendship at camp.

I know somebody else answered your question. But I'll give you my two cents, this summer I worked at a Christian Church run camp in the South for 8 weeks... compared to many other camps we did very little work in regard to skills, leading activities we didn't do at all - that was all by ministers etc.

So what our days were like:
7.30 wake kids, get ready.
8.15 go to flag raising and line up for breakfast,
9.15 go back to cabin and do teeth,
10.00 drop kids at bible class,
11.00 marshal kids from b/c to activity.
12.00 muster (songs and praise)
12.15 lunch.
1.15 Cabin time/ball field.
1.30 escort kids to activity.
2.30 pick kids up to go to get snacks and go pool.
4.10 leave pool and return to cabins. 5.15 flag lowering and dinner.
6.30 organised recreation with kids.
19.30 snack time.
20.00 evening program.
21.30 everyone return to cabin.
22.00 lights out for kids.
12.30 lights out for staff.

My co-counselor and I stayed in a cabin with an average 12 girls aged 11-15 (the camps only lasted one week and thus changed so often).

Sounds good
I've said I'd work with Underpriveledged or just in a Private Camp either would be fine for me now I've thought about it!
Did you find it a bit strange with its religious tones?

What was the overall experience like? Would you really recommend going?

[Blink2009]

how much money would you reccomend taking? such as when you get a month off after the program has finished to do your own thing.

[bexicle89]

Originally Posted by MollyMustard

Sounds good
I've said I'd work with Underpriveledged or just in a Private Camp either would be fine for me now I've thought about it!
Did you find it a bit strange with its religious tones?

What was the overall experience like? Would you really recommend going?

1. The Religious element was prominent, ie praying before everything, but if you go anywhere in the South you're likely to encounter it, it's a pretty God fearing place.
2. I loved the experience, it was hot like 38C everyday, during the times we weren't in charge of our kids we got to hang around with other staff and had a day off a week. I got the independence w/e off and went to New Orleans, which is amazing and deffo now my fave city in the world.

Also the experience is the best place to meet people, I've made so many friends and got to travel afterwards, I deffo reccomend it to anyone.

Originally Posted by Blink2009

how much money would you reccomend taking? such as when you get a month off after the program has finished to do your own thing.

I took less than £100 in cash by mistake, it ended up lasting maybe 2/3 weeks, but I took my cards with me and used them.
If you have ccusa/bunac arrange your flight - you get a deducted cheque at the end of camp, but if you arrange your own flights you can get your cheques fornightly without anything taken away.
Cashing 'checks' in the US is difficult, it's different than here because you can get it done instantly at walmart with a US drivers permit, otherwise without a US bank account its hard, most people just wait to cash it when they get home, so think of that when bringing money. I was lucky that I knew someone working at a bank so.