Hi

My main skill which I have enforced is dance on my application however, I would not want to be doing this everyday for the whole of the summer. I would prefer to be involved in all the activites. I havent been placed yet but was just wondering if you are expected to stick to one activity or you are involved in a variety of things?

Thankyou

Emily

It would really depend on the structure and organisation of the particular camp, Emily!

Many specialist counselors do tend to spend the whole summer teaching their assigned activities, although these only take up part of the day (say four to five hours). The rest of the time, they join in with general camp life.

If you are employed as a general counselor, then you would probably help out with all the activities going on, but you wouldn't actually be teaching a specific area.

There are fewer general counselor openings these days than there used to be, and many camp directors seek people with strong skill areas, who can also double as general counselors when the need arises!

I think flexibility is the key, as it can never be guaranteed exactly what you will be doing for the whole two months you are at camp anyway, due to unforeseen circumstances (for example staff /campers might leave part way through camp, or not turn up at all, or there might be more campers than anticipated, necessitating more staff).

From personal experience there are pros and cons with both roles!

If you are a specialist, you are generally doing what you love all day, every day, being in contact with most of the campers, which is great, but you can occasionally miss out on exciting events / trips as you have to stay on camp to teach your activity to kids not involved in the special events!

If you are a general counselor, you usually look after one particular group for the duration of their stay at camp (which can be between 1 and 8 weeks). This allows you to build up some great relationships with your campers, but you don't always get much of a chance to interact with the other kids!

Also, if you have a particular talent for something, feelings that you are 'missing out' can arise from time to time if you are a general counselor!

Good luck with being placed! I hope you get what you want, but please try to take whatever might be offered to you, as you are sure to have a great summer, just being immersed in camp life as a whole!!

I think it depends on what camp you are at. I had an interview with one and you would be a general counsellor but also have a specialism.

I also haven't been placed, but after my talk with someone amazing at the camp America offices I am putting my whole trust in them to find me a place. And staying postivie.

I hope you get this sorted and I wish you all the luck of getting placed

CA can do it! I know they can

Xxx

Thankyou!

Hope you get placed as well!

Emily x