Published 6 September 2013, by Jess
2006 took me on one of the very best experiences of my life! It is then that my love for travel became my lifes passion. I was accepted as a Waterfront Counsellor on a Summer Camp in Connecticut, USA.
My Application
At the end of 2005 I applied to be a Summer Camp Counsellor through the International Exchange Program (IEP) in Australia.
At this stage in my life I was a qualified Swimming Instructor and actively working as one. Growing up in Australia, swimming had been a huge part of my life in which I participated on a competitive level. If I was going to be anything at Summer Camp, it was going to be a swimming instructor!
The application process requests that you compile a bunch of photographs that show you actively demonstrating your expertise. So I included pictures of me in my job as a swimming instructor as well as playing ball games with some of my younger cousins.
Once you submit your application to IEP, everything is out of your hands. IEP submit your application and from there it is up to the American Camp Recruiters/Owners/Managers to select you depending on the needs of their camp.
I remember the call came through on a Tuesday morning to say I had been accepted as a swimming instructor and lifeguard on a camp in Torrington, Connecticut. A rush of excitement came over me, followed by a pile of nerves. My first solo overseas trip was now becoming a reality.
Why International Exchange Program (IEP)
My sister had previously worked on a US Summer Camp and went through IEP too. I did a little research and found that compared to companies like ‘CampAmerica’, IEP actually paid better. At the time I was there, the exchange rate was low, so I basically earnt the cost of my flight over, however a program such as this is more about the experience and less about the monetary incentive.
I would highly recommend IEP to anyone looking to become a camp counsellor. They organise a lot of the tedious tasks involved with trying to work overseas such as the Working Visa.
http://www.iep.com.au/summercampusa
Camp Life
This really does depend on the camp you are placed on. My camp varied significantly to the camp my sister was on and also the camp my friend was on. I was placed on a Summer Camp in Torrington, Connecticut.
On arrival, my first week at camp was a ‘get to know you session’ as the first week was only Counsellors and no Campers, however all of the waterfront staff were required to complete and pass the ‘American Lifeguard Association Course’. So, along with setting up the jetty’s on the lake, cleaning the pool, installing the games on the lake (inflatable trampoline and rock climbing) and making sure the bumper boats were working, we also had to complete and pass our lifeguarding course. You could say it was a busy week for those of us on the Waterfront.
My camp had an age range of 6 year olds to 17 year olds and was both male and female. Camp ran for a period of 8 weeks with parent day falling mid way through.
As a Specialised Camp Counsellor, my role was to teach the kids at camp how to swim and to complete specific milestones allowing them to pass their swimming stage.
As a Waterfront Counsellor, we were probably the busiest of all counsellors on camp. During breaks from activities at camp, waterfront staff we routinely rostered on so that the pool and lake could remain open for the campers. However, if I had my time all over again, I’d be a Waterfront Counsellor every time. The group of people I worked with were fantastic, and having to spend so much time together I think worked in our favour, as we all got along quite well.
Camp days ran to schedule, allowing the campers to stick to a routine. The flag was raised every morning and National Anthem sung followed by breakfast and then activities began for the day.
Tennis Courts with the Girls Bunks in the background
Camp Counsellors were allowed to go into town to the nearby bar once the campers were getting ready for bed. Some Counsellors were put on bunk duty, which meant they would have to stay outside the bunks to make sure the kids went to sleep. Others were put on activity duty which meant they would have to stay on camp grounds and help out with camp run activities for the older children. “Van nights” were held three (3) times a week in which the Counsellors could take a van from camp into the local bar ‘Memories’ to party and dance etc. All Counsellors were required to ‘sign in’ to camp before 1pm by signing a sheet of paper to say they arrived back to camp. There were consequences for those who didn’t.
Down time
The motto on our camp was “Camp is about the Campers, not the Counsellors”, while camp is an amazing experience, it is still our responsibility as Counsellors to make sure the kids are having the time of their lives. Saying that, Counsellors down time is the time to have your fun!
During the eight (8) week camp experience, I received five (5) days off camp and one (1) over night stay away from camp. Many of the American Counsellors were quite willing to provide their cars to us foreigners for our days off, which was extremely kind of them and very helpful. For my overnight stay, myself and 10 others drove to Boston, Massachusetts and spent the night there getting up to all sorts of mischief. One of my days away from camp was also in Boston where I attended a Boston Red Sox game at FenwayPark, an amazing experience. Whatever you choose to do, just adds to the experience that is camp.
Boston Red Sox Game, Fenway Park
Special Events
Depending on the camp you are on and the campers you are bunk counsellor for, special trips are organised for the campers.
Niagara Falls
The kids who were 15-17 years old were among the group on my camp who visited Niagara Falls on a two (2) day stay away from camp grounds. The counsellors who were bunked in with them were required to attend as chaperones.
Colour War
Colour War was a HUGE deal on my camp, it promoted team work, healthy competition and was a bucket load of fun! There is generally a really elaborate way of Colour War “breaking” each year to which is a complete surprise to the Campers and Counsellors (those who aren’t in the know), as I heard it sometimes involved fireworks, helicopters and midnight wake up calls. Colour War is a five (5) day competition where the entire camp is split into two teams, Red and White. It involves various activities/competitions earning points for teams along the way, it also included a piece of artwork that was judged and a ‘build’ that was judged. During Colour War, there is no speaking in the Dining Hall, however when you are outside and about camp, you can be sure to hear plenty of camp cheers in support of the two teams.
Colour War Build Team
Bobcats Amatuer Baseball Game
We also took a day to attend an amateur baseball game in Connecticut, this is also the location where ‘Colour War’ broke.
Six Flags Amusement Park
We spent the day with our Campers going on rides, eating and having lots of fun!
Jack D Gordon Basketball Competition
An annual basketball game held between CampWah-nee and a rival camp, this is a chance for all of the foreign CampCounsellors to wear their countries flags with pride.
Girls Camp Olympics
All of girls camp was split into four (4) teams – Blue, Red, Yellow, Green. Teams verse each other in different activities such as tug-of-war, leap frog relays and throwing competitions to earn points in order to win the Olympics.
DJ Jeff
A DJ came to camp to play for all of the Campers at a disco in the Dance Studio. A great time for Campers and Counsellors to relax, let loose and have some fun!
Banquet Night
Held towards the close of camp, Banquet Night is a chance for Campers and Counsellors to dress up elegantly, take photos, enjoy a nicely cooked meal with your bunk mates/kids and to reminisce on camp.
Waterfront Staff
Australians at Camp Wah-Nee
The Experience
If you are looking to make some “easy” money, then the USA Summer Camp experience is not for you!
If you are looking to work hard, have fun, make lifelong friends and enjoy making memories of an experience you would otherwise never have, then the USA Summer Camp experience is for you!
Some of the friends I have made at Summer Camp have travelled across the world and come to stay with me. I’m still in contact with friends from Camp as those who have been are the only ones who will truly understand the experience.
Camp was my first overseas trip by myself and it is what gave me the travel bug I have now, for which I will be eternally grateful. It opened my eyes to the way others live, cultural differences, manual labour (putting together the jetty for the lake) and opened me up to new experiences. I cannot recommend camp enough, if you are considering it, do it, do it now! You won’t regret it!
My bed at camp
My bunk at camp
The End of Camp
The last night of Camp, all Campers and Counsellors sit on the banks of the Lake (waterfront counsellors on the Jetty) while two chosen Counsellors row out on the Lake. The camp year is set on fire while songs to reminisce camp are played. This is done to signal the end of the camp year and new beginnings.
Passport 2 the World 