Program Description
All camps share one common goal: to give campers
an enjoyable learning experience in a
beautiful outdoor environment. |
Purpose of the Program
Camp Experience USA allows international
students and other qualified individuals with a
genuine interest in children to experience the
American tradition of summer camp. The goal of
Camp Experience USA is to help applicants from
around the world share in this unique experience
by matching them to a camp in the United States
that fits their interests and skills.
Length of Stay
Camp Experience USA places international
students and youth workers at summer camps
throughout the United States.
Participants are available to work from the
beginning of June through the end of August as
either Support Staff or Counselors for a period
of 8-10 weeks and receive a stipend, roundtrip
transatlantic airfare and the opportunity to
travel within the United States upon completion
of the program. Though camp is definitely lots
of fun, it's not a holiday for staff !
Options
Camps hire two types of counselors: General and
Special Needs. (Waterfront Staff and Ropes
Course Instructor and SupportStaff, see
descriptions below).
Your unique skills, qualifications and
interests largely determine your camp placement
and duties. Camps make the determination as to
which position you will have at camp. Tell us
all about your skills on your application and at
your interview !
As a general or specialist counselor you are an
instructor, a leader, a role model and a friend
to children ranging in age from 6 to 16 years of
age. Your primary responsibility is to ensure
their safety, overall supervision and well being
and to make their camp experience fun and
rewarding. You will most likely be living in a
cabin or platform tent with the children. All
counselors perform a wide variety of activities
and duties with children and each day brings
something new and exciting!
• PARTICIPANTS who supervise campers are
called Counselors.
• PARTICIPANTS who work to keep the camp
running are called Support Staff.
• GENERAL COUNSELOR OPTION
General Counselors work with a group of
campers for which they will be responsible, 24
hours a day, for the duration of their stay.
They live with them, eat with them and escort
them to all of their activities.The counselor
will also most likely sleep in the cabin with
their group of kids at night but in some cases,
may be given separate accommodation.
General counselors may also be responsible for
assisting at activities and organizing program
events, for the safe and efficient running of
their activity throughout the day.
A general counselor plays a variety of roles
while at camp: guardian, advisor, companion, and
keeper-of-the-rules.They will go through
extensive training at the beginning of camp in
order to learn what will be expected f them in
these roles.
General counselors, depending on skill level,
certification and teaching experience, may
qualify for the Specialist Status Bonus .They
teach one specific activity (such as tennis,
ceramics or swimming) to different groups of
children throughout the day. They will have to
plan activities for a wide age range. This is
determined by the requirements the Camp Director
places on the position.
If you believe you qualify for this status, you
should confirm your eligibility with your Camp
Director prior to arriving at camp
REQUIREMENTS:
-Be fluent in English
-a cheerful, hardworking attitude is a must!
-at least 18 years of age by June 1st 2003
- be a good communicator.
- experience working with children in their home
country
- flexible, energetic, enthusiastic, and dedicated, be
able to live by a strict set of rules.
- a strong sense of humor and positive attitude
-available to depart for the US at the beginning of
June.
Note: If you do not have
experience with children, but are still interested in
working at a summer camp,we recommend you to check the
Support Staff Program Option! You must adapt to the lack
of privacy and basic accommodation. You will also be
expected to adhere to strict camp rules for campers and
staff: no smoking, no drinking of alcoholic beverages
and a nightly curfew.
• SPECIAL NEEDS COUNSELOR OPTION
Gain invaluable experience toward your
long-term goals !
You will not be assigned to a Special Needs
Counselor position unless you specifically
request that we do so.
As a Special Needs Counselor you will have to
play a special role in your campers’ lives,
being a confidant and friend !
REQUIREMENTS
are similar to working as a general or
specialist counselor. Also there are many
others, such as:
-experience or interest in working with people
both children and adults with disabilities.
-stronger commitment, dedication, enthusiasm and
energy levels as you will be working with
populations who’s needs are greater and more
specific.
- to help your campers with a wide range of
daily personal needs such as bathing, feeding,
and toileting, and help them throughout the day
with their chosen activities such as sports,
arts and crafts etc.
-be a carring person, have the ability to
listen, offer encouragement and sometimes,
sympathy.
- have the ability to lead, motivate and inspire
the campers.
• SUPPORT STAFF OPTION
Support Staff applicants must be full-time
university students between the ages of 18 and
30.
It's the best option for those who don't feel
their skills and experiences are suitable to
work as a counselor.
The common Support Staff Positions :
Maintenance :
maintaining equipment, and facilities
Housekeeping:
cleaning cabins, dusting, making beds
Kitchen :
food preparation, dishwashing
Laundry:
collecting, washing, drying and folding clothes
Dining Hall:
cleaning, serving and clearing tables
Those placed in a camp support position can
expect to be housed in a separate facility from
the campers likely with other camp support
staff.
Your day will begin early, particularly if you
work in the kitchen, in order that the camp is
ready for the day, and your day will generally
end after dinnertime. Support Staff clean the
camp, feed the campers and maintain the camp
facilities.
Support Staff can expect to work 12-14 hours a
day in very demanding jobs. However, due to the
physical nature of the position, they receive a
higher stipend.
You will be given time off, usually a day a
week and certain hours during the day, during
which time you can rest or see some of the
neighbouring area (if transportation is
available)
REQUIREMENTS:
-Be fluent in English
-Be a university student, teacher, youth worker
or individual with a specialized skill
-a cheerful, hardworking attitude is a must!
-at least 18 years of age by June 1st 2003.
- be prepared for a lot of hard work and long
hours, but also a lot of fun.
- experience working in one of the support areas
listed under Camp Activities.
- must be flexible, energetic, enthusiastic, and
dedicated, and must be able to live by a strict
set of rules.
-available to depart for the US at the beginning
of June .
IMPORTANT: In order to participate on the
Support Staff Option, you must be a be a bona
fide full-time student at the time of
application.
Your student status will be verified by your
American Cultural Exchanges (ACE) local
representative / overseas partner organisation
prior to issuing J-1 documentation, and you
should be prepared to provide written proof of
student status when you go to apply for your
visa.
Also you must have evidence of your registration
for a full-time course of study for the 2003/4
semester.
F eatures & Benefits
What American Cultural Exchanges
(ACE) Offers Participants:
Pre-Selection orientation and interview
One camp placement offer including a stipend and
room & board for the duration of the camp
session
Documents to obtain a J-1 Visa
Medical insurance
Round-trip airfare
Arrival Orientation
Assistance with transportation to camp
24-hour support for the duration of the program
Independent travel time after camp
Certificate of Completion
Self-Travel Applicants:
Self-Travel applicants are responsible for purchasing
their own flight to America. In return for this, they
receive a $500 Travel Supplement in addition to their
regular stipend.
Note: Only your
American Cultural Exchanges (ACE) local
representative / overseas partner organisation can
decide if applicants are Self-Travel, and this decision
is made for everyone from that American Cultural
Exchanges
(ACE) local representative / overseas partner
organisation before the season begins. If you are unsure
whether you are a Self-Travel or Regular applicant,
please contact your your American Cultural
Exchanges
(ACE) local representative / overseas partner
organisation.
Program Cost
Our 2003 Fees:
For more information please contact your
American Cultural Exchanges (ACE) local
representative / overseas partner organisation.
Participant Earnings
Camp Support Staff receive 'pocket money' at
the successful end of their 9 week Placement on
camp. This may be payable weekly or monthly.
Camp Experience USA Participants who have an
internationally recognised Certificate in a
sporting area or those with verifiable
experience with challenged populations HAVE TO
contact their Camp Director to determine if
there is a bonus applicable to them.
Note: support
staff should make sure that they take enough
funds with them to cover there living expenses
for at least the first week.
Camp Types
Summer camps are located throughout the United
States, typically in rural or wilderness
settings and serve as an escape from city
life.The camp season typically lasts 9 to 11
weeks.
Most camps have crafts and sports facilities, a
large dining hall and cabins or platform tents
for sleeping.
Each camp caters its program to the campers'
age, gender or area of specialization. However,
camps do share some common factors.
There are different types of summer camps.Each
camp has its own philosophy,structure,
clientele, duration organization and purpose. We
will only place you at a camp type that you
select !
Traditional / Private
-owned by individuals and families. Facilities
are well maintained and
-campers come from higher-income families.
Religious
-Christian or Jewish organizations.
- religious involvement will vary from camp to
camp.
- be prepared to lead religious activities and
programs.
Day Camps
-between 7 am to 6 pm daily. Camps may be
-located in cities, on college campuses or at
traditional camps.
-accommodations for international staff either
on the camp site or with a host family.
Special Needs
-children and adults with physical, mental
disabilities.
- traditional camp activities.
Specialty
-specialized programming such as sports, music
or weight loss.
Underprivileged
- non-profit organizations.
-safe, positive camp experience. Sessions are
generally 1 to 2 weeks long. Camps seek
-youth/social work experience required.
Boys / Girls
- provide a variety of traditional camp
activities to build character and skills.
-run privately or by a non-profit agency.
Adult / Family
-children and their family can participate in
activities together or separately.
- excellent vacation-style settings.
Note: Remember,
camp types can overlap !
Camp Activities
This is a list of activities that a typical
camp will offer children:
Rock Climbing Archery Basketball
Ceramics Drama
Gymnastics Lifeguarding
Photography Boating Tennis Dance
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