Being a first time counsellor can be a daunting time full of excitement mixed with nerves. I was very nervous my first summer – would I make friends? Would my campers like me? How does the visa process work? What will camp life be like? Nerves are completely normal and everyone going to camp will feel these nerves. Here are a few tips and tricks I wish I knew going into my first summer.
Choosing a Camp
Choosing a camp will be one of the most important decisions you make. I was hired at a Camp Fair which was a great opportunity to meet directors in person and get a real feel for a camp. I think your gut feeling is very important when choosing a camp. Before choosing your camp, research the different types of camps whether it’s private or religious, a camp that specialises in special needs or teaches certain activities.
It’s important to remember that just because a camp is not well known it doesn’t mean that it’s not a good camp and you won’t have the best summer. Be open to all camps and go with an open mindset and you will have the most amazing summer.
Visa Process
The visa process can be daunting as it’s a new process and requires a lot of paperwork! I’m here to tell you it’s not as bad as it first seems! When you’ve reached the stage of your application where you are ready to book your visa interview the Americamp team will notify you. They will send you a detailed pdf document with all the information you need to make the appointment including a list of all the forms.
My top tips for booking the appointment are :
- Be patient – the website can refresh frequently and take you back to stage one – remember to save your progress after each stage to avoid losing data.
- Have all documents laid out in front of you – this will save you time and ensure all your information is accurate
- Make sure you set aside enough time – booking an appointment can take some time so set aside a portion of time so you don’t have to rush.
Top tips for the embassy appointment
- Prepare and check your documents- the most important thing to do is check and recheck your documents. Make sure you have your: Passport, DS2019 , DS160, SEVIS receipt, visa booking email, camp contract, visa photos and proof of return.
- Leave plenty of time to get to the embassy – the queues can get quite long so leave plenty of time.
- It’s not as scary as it may seem – although it’s nerve wracking having to go to an embassy, everyone’s there to help you and once you have your visa you're ready for the summer of a lifetime!
Flying Solo
Another aspect of summer camp that might be a scary step is the flight. For many people the flight to the states might be their first long haul flight or first solo flight. I was definitely nervous before my first solo long haul flight as I didn’t know what to expect. If you're feeling like this the best thing to do is speak to either the people at the check in desk or the air stewards and just let them know how you're feeling and they can reassure you. Take some time to grab some comfort snacks that remind you of home and put on a playlist. Once you have done a solo flight you truly feel like the world is your oyster!
Making Friends
This was my main worry about going to camp and I know it is for most people – even as a returner it’s still something I worry about. I think it’s important to remember that everyone is in the same boat and everyone there is looking to make friends! During orientation try to speak to as many different people as possible and get involved in all the activities as that’s the best way to make friends. Another thing I found difficult my first summer was seeing all the returners reuniting with people and immediately clicking back with their friends. Trust me when I say the returners also want to make new friends! The first few days of camp they may be focused on seeing the friends they haven’t seen in 10 months however that doesn’t mean they aren’t also open to making new friends. The friends you meet at camp will be your support network while you're there and will become lifelong friends!
Camper Arrival Day
Camper arrival day is a big day in the camp diary! There’s a lot of anticipation and emotions on the day those buses finally turn into a camp full of excited campers!
I remember being nervous about meeting my campers and scared that they wouldn’t immediately click with me. Something to remember is that as much as it’s a big day for you it’s also a big day for the campers – they will have just said goodbye to their parents they may also be feeling some nerves. Make sure you introduce yourself as soon as possible and ask them questions about what they are excited about for the summer. Something my division did was play name games to help everyone learn each other's names as there can be a lot to remember ! Show the kids the bunks and where their things have been unpacked so they feel at home – we put welcome signs above each camper's bed as an extra touch!
The campers will look up to you as a role model and the bond you form with them over the summer is such a special feeling.
Orientation
Orientation is one of the best times at camp, there’s not many places where people from all over the world come together to live and work together for two months and it truly is a magical experience. Orientation can be a mix of emotions- settling in and getting used to your new surroundings and routine can be hard but once you settle in and learn to go with the flow of camp you’ll love it. Orientation at my camp involves lots of training to make sure we were fully prepared for when the campers arrived – we did things like CPR training and even had someone come in to role play certain difficult scenarios with us. It was also filled with fun activities such as the Walmart trip, dance parties and games. Make the most of orientation and take the time to take it all in before the campers arrive and the summer whizzes by!
Being the best counsellor
My first summer I didn’t know what to expect or what my role would fully entail at camp. Here are my top tips to be the best counsellor you can be!
- Take part in every activity – the campers love when you take part with them and it helps you build a bond and better relationship with them.
- Embrace your silly side- camp is a place where you can truly be yourself with no judgement so embrace your silly side!
- Share the workload- being a camp counsellor can be draining at times so work with your co counsellors and support each other and it will make your job ten times easier!
- It’s okay to ask for help- there are lots of people you can turn to for support at camp whether it’s advisory staff or fellow counsellors. Being a counsellor can be difficult but it’s the team of people you work with that will help you through! Remember everyone has difficult days but the good days at camp will outweigh those days.
- Take the time for each and every camper – there are a lot of campers especially at the bigger summer camps and so taking time with each and every camper in your division can truly make all the difference and will mean a lot to them.
- Going with the flow- camp is fun but sometimes can be a chaotic environment so go with the flow and embrace new experiences and you will take so much more out of your summer!
Post camp travel
Post camp travel is one of the bonuses of being a camp counsellor- it’s time to relax and see the sites after a successful summer. My post camp travels took me from Nashville to the Grand Canyon and it was the best time!
My top tips
- Don’t rush planning your travels- friend groups can change throughout camp as you get to meet more and more people so take your time and don’t rush to book things straight away
- My recommendations – I travelled to Nashville after camp which was amazing, we were there for a weekend that coincided with a rodeo so got a truly American experience! I also went to the Grand Canyon and can’t recommend that enough! It was just stunning to see and there’s nothing like it anywhere else!
It’s time for your next adventure!
If you’ve decided to take the next steps and go to summer camp enjoy every second of it and fully immerse yourself in the experience. Camp is truly such a special place and the bonds you form will last a lifetime. The people you meet at camp will be some of the most important in your life. Enjoy every second!
