Overview
Camp
America is an American cultural exchange program, based in the UK. As part of
the American Institute for Foreign Study, Camp America sends young people (18+)
to work on American summer camps. Successful applicants generally work with
American children in a specific capacity; leading them in sport, art or
water-based activities. There are also opportunities for applicants to work in
non-child facing capacities; in areas such as kitchen, maintenance or office
work.
Who are we?
Camp
America is the market leader in providing the uniquely cultural American summer
camp experience. We’ve been sending young people to the US since 1969 and have
sought to ensure the satisfaction of over 170,000 applicants. Our position within
the industry is very strong and many individuals now refer to all summer camp
related programs in the US as ‘Camp America’. In 2011, Camp America was voted
the 55th most desirable company to work for in the UK in a poll
conducted by The Guardian UK 300.
Career Opportunities
The
camp environment encompasses many different skill and vocational areas;
including land-sports, outdoor adventure, water sports, the arts, media,
catering/hospitality, special needs, child care, teaching, religious studies,
computing and the natural environment. Applicants are generally given a fair
degree of responsibility within the skill area in which they apply, and the
opportunity is there for them to practice and hone their abilities and gain
good experience, to carry forth into future employment.
Training and Development
The
Camp America program is renowned for developing and refining intangible
qualities that are vital to the modern workplace. Attributes such as teamwork,
organization, leadership, time-management, confidence and inter-personal skills
are paramount to the camp environment and applicants can expect to develop
considerably, in these areas. All applicants will be trained in Child
Protection and, in some camp environments, special needs and/or First Aid
training may be available.
What we look for
As
the main focus of the program is working with children, Camp America
specifically look for individuals who will be good role models for children. Applicants
should also have a positive, flexible attitude and, for more specialist roles –
such as lifeguarding, motorboat, sailing etc – qualifications may be desirable.
Applicants must be 18 by June 1st in the year in which they are
applying and if applicants wish to apply to the Campower program, which does
not involve working with children, they must be a full-time progressing
student.
What we offer
Depending
on the role applied for, applicants can earn up to $1200 for a 9 week
placement. Applicants will receive a minimum of 6 days off during the summer
and have all their meals and accommodation covered, for the duration. Camp
America sponsors the applicant for the J-1 visa and provides comprehensive
medical insurance. Return flights from London to New York are included within
the program fee and participants receive 15% discount on bespoke American
road-trips with our travel partner Intrepid.
How to apply
http://www.campamerica.co.uk/apply