Camp America// Future Plans
After slaving away for an hour, I have finally completed my Camp America application. It's not entirely done yet though, I'm going to have to find £69.00 to pay as a deposit fee...and that's not money I can find under the sofa. Best get working.
The application wasn't really easy, obviously filling in the personal details like my height and weight was. But I had to write a personal essay about myself. And I'm not exactly the most interesting person on the planet. So, I just rambled about being bubbly, my passion for art and photography, and how much of a bookworm I am.
They want me to make a video of myself as well. Something like a 'vlog'. Just introducing and talking about myself. I have the most hideous voice and a strong northern accent so hopefully they won't be too put off, fingers crossed!
Then, their was all the itsy-bitsy details like my passport number and all that jazz which was a bit tedious. But, if I get a place, this will all be worth it.
Anyway, you're probably wondering what the hell I'm going on about...
For those of you who don't know, Camp America is a scheme that offers people from the age of seventeen and a half an amazing oppurtunity to go out and be a camp counsellor.
COUNSELLOR!?
No, not like an emotional therapist. A camp counsellor is basically someone who helps organise, arrange and watch over the activities that the camp guests participate in. You are responsible for the enjoyment of each and every guest that is at the camp you are doing your placement at and making sure they have a summer to remember.
You are given the option of seven different kinds of camps. Single sex camp, faith camp, specialist camp (e.g. fashion camp, art camp, space camp), special needs camp, private camp (more like a resort, like on High School Musical 2!), Girl Guide Camp and camp for disadvantaged kids. Wow, I've never used the word 'camp' so many times in a single sentence before...
I've gone for girl guide camp, specialist camp and camp for disadvantaged kids. Girl guide camp, not because I'm one of those goody-two-shoes kind of people, but I went to Brownies and Guides when I was a lot younger to help with my social problems and stuff because I was rubbish at making friends for myself so mum thought it would help. And it did to an extent. So I have the experience...and gained my 'fashionista' badge from it. I feel so sad for remembering that.
Specialist camp, because of horse riding and art. I used to do horse riding a lot and was a member of that big 'Pony Club' thing. In horsey world, it's equivalent to Guides. I got a badge for that...the mucking out badge but I didn't mention that because I don't want to be cleaning up horse poo for nine weeks in America. And it's also a bit embarrassing...
Single sex camp, I have no idea, I just don't really have a legitimate reason to have a problem with going to a camp full of girls.
Disadvantaged kids camp? This camp is funded by the Camp America organisation and it is my most preferable camp to work at. The kids that come to this camp are from the poorest parts of the USA and this is a once in a lifetime oppurtunity for them to put them on the right track and give them something fun and memorable to do other than summer. Camp America set up these camps as these children and young adults are more prone to joining gangs during summer and winter breaks so it also keeps them safe and doing something productive. They may even find a new hobby they will want to take up when they go home or back to school. So it really is life changing for them and I want to be part of that experience.
Without sounding too selfish, it's also going to be a real eye-opener for me and good fun. Also, it's going to be a once in a lifetime oppurtunity for me too. When else am I ever going to be able to do western style horse riding. Or water ski-ing. Going out to a real American baseball or basketball match. I've always wanted to go to America and if I get this placement it will finally happen.
I've also always wanted to work with kids. I don't know how else to say that without sounding weird. I don't mean it in a weird way at all. When I was eleven I wanted to be a paediatric nurse, but I was hopeless at science and never listened. Then I watched 'Nativity!' and instantly wanted to become a primary school teacher (OI! Don't tease..it's a good film). This involves kids and I've been looking at it for a good few years now, so I'm really keen to do it.
Most of the camps are based around New York as well. Your first week in America before you go off to work at the camp, you get to have a week to yourself being a tourist. Shopping in New York, going out for meals, Broadway, live sports, clubbing etc. I've never been to America in my life. Call me a pig, I'm actually really looking forward to the food there. Especially the Marshmallow Fluff and Hershey's. So I'm probably going to come back to the UK about a stone and a half heavier.
There's not much else I can really say other than that I am really excited to find out if I have made it to the interviewing process. I've completed my application form and everything and am waiting to hear from the Derbyshire interviewer. But, it sounds amazing. I know I haven't been but if there's anyone reading this that wants to work with kids as a career, or just fancies a really fun summer, go to the website and apply now before it's too late. Just a heads up though, you have to be eighteen by your departure date!
Website: http://www.campamerica.co.uk/
The application wasn't really easy, obviously filling in the personal details like my height and weight was. But I had to write a personal essay about myself. And I'm not exactly the most interesting person on the planet. So, I just rambled about being bubbly, my passion for art and photography, and how much of a bookworm I am.
They want me to make a video of myself as well. Something like a 'vlog'. Just introducing and talking about myself. I have the most hideous voice and a strong northern accent so hopefully they won't be too put off, fingers crossed!
Then, their was all the itsy-bitsy details like my passport number and all that jazz which was a bit tedious. But, if I get a place, this will all be worth it.
Anyway, you're probably wondering what the hell I'm going on about...
For those of you who don't know, Camp America is a scheme that offers people from the age of seventeen and a half an amazing oppurtunity to go out and be a camp counsellor.
COUNSELLOR!?
No, not like an emotional therapist. A camp counsellor is basically someone who helps organise, arrange and watch over the activities that the camp guests participate in. You are responsible for the enjoyment of each and every guest that is at the camp you are doing your placement at and making sure they have a summer to remember.
You are given the option of seven different kinds of camps. Single sex camp, faith camp, specialist camp (e.g. fashion camp, art camp, space camp), special needs camp, private camp (more like a resort, like on High School Musical 2!), Girl Guide Camp and camp for disadvantaged kids. Wow, I've never used the word 'camp' so many times in a single sentence before...
I've gone for girl guide camp, specialist camp and camp for disadvantaged kids. Girl guide camp, not because I'm one of those goody-two-shoes kind of people, but I went to Brownies and Guides when I was a lot younger to help with my social problems and stuff because I was rubbish at making friends for myself so mum thought it would help. And it did to an extent. So I have the experience...and gained my 'fashionista' badge from it. I feel so sad for remembering that.
Specialist camp, because of horse riding and art. I used to do horse riding a lot and was a member of that big 'Pony Club' thing. In horsey world, it's equivalent to Guides. I got a badge for that...the mucking out badge but I didn't mention that because I don't want to be cleaning up horse poo for nine weeks in America. And it's also a bit embarrassing...
Single sex camp, I have no idea, I just don't really have a legitimate reason to have a problem with going to a camp full of girls.
Disadvantaged kids camp? This camp is funded by the Camp America organisation and it is my most preferable camp to work at. The kids that come to this camp are from the poorest parts of the USA and this is a once in a lifetime oppurtunity for them to put them on the right track and give them something fun and memorable to do other than summer. Camp America set up these camps as these children and young adults are more prone to joining gangs during summer and winter breaks so it also keeps them safe and doing something productive. They may even find a new hobby they will want to take up when they go home or back to school. So it really is life changing for them and I want to be part of that experience.
Without sounding too selfish, it's also going to be a real eye-opener for me and good fun. Also, it's going to be a once in a lifetime oppurtunity for me too. When else am I ever going to be able to do western style horse riding. Or water ski-ing. Going out to a real American baseball or basketball match. I've always wanted to go to America and if I get this placement it will finally happen.
I've also always wanted to work with kids. I don't know how else to say that without sounding weird. I don't mean it in a weird way at all. When I was eleven I wanted to be a paediatric nurse, but I was hopeless at science and never listened. Then I watched 'Nativity!' and instantly wanted to become a primary school teacher (OI! Don't tease..it's a good film). This involves kids and I've been looking at it for a good few years now, so I'm really keen to do it.
Most of the camps are based around New York as well. Your first week in America before you go off to work at the camp, you get to have a week to yourself being a tourist. Shopping in New York, going out for meals, Broadway, live sports, clubbing etc. I've never been to America in my life. Call me a pig, I'm actually really looking forward to the food there. Especially the Marshmallow Fluff and Hershey's. So I'm probably going to come back to the UK about a stone and a half heavier.
There's not much else I can really say other than that I am really excited to find out if I have made it to the interviewing process. I've completed my application form and everything and am waiting to hear from the Derbyshire interviewer. But, it sounds amazing. I know I haven't been but if there's anyone reading this that wants to work with kids as a career, or just fancies a really fun summer, go to the website and apply now before it's too late. Just a heads up though, you have to be eighteen by your departure date!
Website: http://www.campamerica.co.uk/
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