'What is Summer Camp?' Your Guide to a Summer of a Lifetime

For those asking, "What is summer camp?'" you've actually taken your first steps towards a summer of a lifetime. Once you learn about this wild and wonderful adventure, it's hard not to go and sample it.

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You may have seen it in major American films, like American Pie or The Parent Trap. Summer camp in America is a key part of childhood, shaping campers into the adults they become. Plus, there are over 15,000 summer camps in America alone, so it's an absolute pillar of life there.

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But summer camps have become bigger than just one country. Summer camps are now in Canada, China, Thailand, and more, with countries realising that not only is it great fun for kids, but it's healthy, a form of development, and provides an opportunity to learn in a fun environment.

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"Yeah, yeah, okay, but aside from allllll of that, what actually is summer camp?" "Why does everyone love it and go every year?" Well, here's your guide to learning about what makes summer camp jobs abroad; It's the season that everyone loves.

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What is summer camp?

A Summer of a lifetime, that's what.

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For staff, whether local or international, it's an opportunity to work abroad for a season, often for about 8-10 weeks, where you'll lead activities or groups of kids, helping positively impact the next generation. 

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You can split camp stays into two main types: day camps and overnight camps. 

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Day camps are where campers come for the day and then leave to head home and stay with family. 

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At overnight camps, campers stay in accommodation on site, with camp counsellors to look after them every step of the way.

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Before summer camp starts, you'll get the chance to explore your new surroundings, carry out training, and do a load of ice-breakers to get to know your fellow staff. It's good fun and allows time to acclimate to a new setting. 

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When campers do arrive, this idyllic, still setting out in the woods becomes an absolute hive of activity; it comes alive.

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The campers come for a week or two at a time, and when they leave, the next intake arrives. 

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You'll be out and about in nature, as most summer camps are rural. Camps have incredible lakes for watersports, trails for horse riding, halls and complexes for sports, climbing walls, and more. There's something for everyone.

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As staff, you'll be in the thick of things, getting your hands dirty, and being part of the fun each minute.

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Are summer camps still a thing?

Summer camps are not only 'still a thing' but are globally bigger and better than ever.

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Everyone knows camp in America, with the earliest summer camps dating back to about 1880. 

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Since then, the growth has been crazy.

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These days, hundreds of thousands of campers and staff go, with destinations including summer camps in Canada, China, Thailand, and more.

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It's come a long way since the 1800s, too. 

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Some summer camps have become small towns with coffee shops, merchandise huts, sports halls better than education providers, and lakes normally reserved for postcard-worthy national parks. No wonder in America, summer camp has become a $3.5billion industry. 

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So summer camps are not only 'still a thing'; they're one of the biggest things going.

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How does summer camp work?

Summer camp works thanks to the tireless work of staff around the world.

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Each camp has a core staff team that is there year-round. These Camp Directors are the leadership team, who deal with everything from finances to recruitment to ensure the smooth running of the camp.

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Yet the magic comes when all the summer staff come in. It's known as cultural exchange. People grow and build bridges by connecting people from around the world, realising that we're much more similar than you know. This positive interaction broadens the minds of both campers and staff alike.

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Based on their experience, the staff will be in one of three roles: camp counsellor, activity specialist, or support staff.

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A Camp Counsellor is with the campers most of the time. They're a consistent link between the campers and the camp. They'll take them from A to B, deal with issues, and be their role model throughout. It's an intense and rewarding role at camp.

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An activity specialist is exactly that; a specialist in a particular activity. So, if you're a watersports instructor, you'll be out on the boats teaching the likes of water-skiing, or rock climbing enthusiasts will be working at the climbing walls. Groups of campers will come to you with their counsellors in 1-hour slots, and you'll take them through from safety and kit to the actual activity. 

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Support staff are key in keeping camp running; it couldn't be done without them. This involves maintenance staff, kitchen and cleaning staff, and reception staff. These key roles must be filled for the camp to run effectively and safely.

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Your day-to-day can look slightly different depending on your role. 

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For example, support staff tend to get up earlier, as they must prep the kitchen before breakfast. The activity specialist's main part of the day is between 8:30 and 5, when most activities are carried out, whereas camp counsellors have a pretty 'always on' mode.

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What does summer camp look like?

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The view that summer camps are styled with traditional wooden cabins isn't far from the truth, but how it's done varies.

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Some people think it's a rustic wooden cabin with no electricity. Although there are a few camps out there for those looking for that experience, there certainly aren't many. 

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In fact, most camps have kitted-out accommodation, with all the mod-cons to keep staff happy. 

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The grand wooden halls and cabins are still there but matched with a modern take to keep everyone comfortable.

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Most camps are definitely rural, as they're built to be an escape from everyday life.

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The beauty of summer camp is its outdoor nature and the ability to connect with the environment, so expect forests, lakes, trails, and more.

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Our friends at Camp Leaders have pulled some of their favourite images together, which you can check out below:

Where can I go to summer camp?

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Summer camps may have started in America, and you can still work at them in all 50 states, but they've undoubtedly grown worldwide since then.

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One of the fastest-growing summer camp countries is Canada, with Camp Canada sending people to summer camp in Canada for countless years. 

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For those wanting to contribute to a different area of the world, Adventure China is for you. It's an opportunity for you to work at a summer camp in Asia, which provides a culturally immersive, fascinating experience. 

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In other parts of Asia, Camp Thailand is getting bigger and bigger, showing that there are many summer camp opportunities, no matter where you want to go.

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How long is summer camp?

Summer camp length depends on where you go, both the country and the location in it.

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If you're going to summer camp in America, you'll likely be required for about 9 weeks; summer camp in Canada keep it slightly more open at 8-10 weeks, and summer camp in China is 8 weeks. 

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They tend to run through early August. Once your contract has finished, you're free to go your own way. 

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But many camps offer 'post-camp', which is the chance to work for an extra week or two. This allows families to tour the camp to see if it's the right fit for their kids. 

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It's much more relaxed, and you tend to get paid more than your initial wage, so it's a great way to earn extra travel money.

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When does summer camp start?

It's often from the start of June, but the official start date can depend on training weeks, etc. 

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Certain activity specialist roles, such as lifeguarding or watersports, will need you to complete mandatory training before you're allowed to work in the country, so this can mean you'll get to camp a week or so earlier. 

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How much does summer camp cost?

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The cost of summer camp varies depending on the agency, inclusions, and whether you're going for the first time or returning.

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You'll pay an initial fee to the agency (which tends to be between £300 and £500), including support throughout, visa fees, your placement, and more. Be sure to research, as inclusions (and the actual wage you receive at camp) vary from agency to agency. 

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There are additional fees, such as flights and embassy fees, so it's best to budget in advance. 

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The great thing is that you'll earn a wage when away, and accommodation and food are included, so you'll be able to live comfortably.

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How old is ‘too old’ for summer camp?

Summer camp is an inclusive place, and for the majority, there are no age limits.

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For example, if you go to summer camp in America with Camp Leaders there are no age limits. 

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In the past, they've had people +50 years old go to camp and were some of the most integral people there, so anyone can make an impact.

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For Canada, you'll need to be between 18-30, purely because of that's the request of the Canadian government to get the required work permit. 

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So we've tried our best to explain 'what is summer camp' in just a few words.

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The thing is, summer camp is such an impossibly hard thing to describe; it has to be experienced to be understood. 

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There's a great line we're told at camp: ' For those looking in, it's impossible to understand, and for those involved, it's impossible to explain,' which sums it up nicely. 

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You'll have the summer of a lifetime at camp, and when you're back, you'll find it just as hard to explain all the little moments that made it what it was.