29/04/2011
Top 10 tips on what to take to summer camp!
Mike participated in BUNAC’s Summer Camp USA Programme last year. He was placed at Camp Regis-AppleJack in Upstate New York and at camp he worked as a lifeguard, a swimming instructor and a group counsellor and it was an amazing and life changing experience for him! Here are his top tips on how to prepare for camp...
1) What not to wear. When packing your bag for camp, leave your designer jeans in the wardrobe. Instead bring old clothes or clothes you don’t mind throwing away after camp.
2) Blame it on the Weatherman. For the majority of your time in the States it will be very sunny and very hot. However, when it rains, it rains hard! Make sure you pack a good waterproof jacket.
3) Money, Money, Money! Although you get paid for working at camp, this money often gets paid in full to you on completion of your contract. As a result, I would advise you to take around $500 to spend on your days off.
4) Valuables. One of my main concerns before I went to camp was where I was going to store my valuables: passport, money and return flight ticket. Don’t despair! Most camps will have a safe so just ask your camp director for them to keep your valuables there. However, be aware, that you may need to give the camp director a few days notice of when you want to retrieve your valuables from the safe.
5) Bring your MP3 and make a wicked playlist. My camp didn’t have television or the internet, as a result, I listened to my MP3 a lot, so download some good albums and audio books.
6) Pack fancy dress. A massive part of camp life is fancy dress, whilst at camp I dressed up as a zombie, a cowboy and the Easter bunny. The crazier your costume the better!
7) Bag or Suitcase? The age old question that plagues all travellers: whether to pack a rucksack or a suitcase? I took a rucksack and would advise you to do the same, it came in very handy on camping trips and travelling around the states after camp.
8) Travel shaver (for guys!) Due to the full-on nature of camp life, I found it almost impossible to find time to shave properly in the mornings. As a result, I would recommend you take a portable travel shaver which is quick and easy to use.
9) Photos. The kids at camp will be absolutely fascinated by you and your English accent! I lost count of how many times I got asked whether I lived in a castle, ate roast dinners for breakfast or personally knew the Queen! My best advice would be to bring a number of photos of where you live, your family and your pets with you to camp. The kids will love it!
10) Walking boots. Make sure you have some good walking boots to take with you to camp. My camp was located deep in the Adirondack Mountains and we went on lots of camping trips and hikes. Ensure that you have ‘worn in’ your boots before you get to camp, as wearing brand new stiff walking boots on a 20 mile hike is a guaranteed way to get blisters. In addition, bring some blister plasters with you, just in case!
That concludes my top tips on how to best prepare for camp. I hope you found it useful and wish you the best of luck on your summer camp adventure!
Applications for Summer Camp USA 2012 open in September this year. Boost your chances of getting placed by applying early!
For more information about working at a summer camp with BUNAC in 2012 please visit: www.bunac.org.uk or call 020 7251 3472.
Summer Camp Jobs
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With work, travel and volunteering opportunities around the world, travelling with BUNAC will be one of the most fun, challenging and rewarding experiences you’ll ever have!
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Summer Camp USA gives people over the age of 18 the opportunity to spend 8 to 9 weeks living with children between May and August on an American summer camp.
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Find a USA summer camp job in 2012, boost your chances of getting placed by applying early!
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Spend 9 weeks gaining valuable experience, making lifelong friends and visiting exciting new places on Summer Camp USA.
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BUNAC’s Kitchen and Maintenance Programme (KAMP) provides an easy and affordable way for students to work and travel in the US over the summer.