Why We Commissioned a Real Illustrator for Our New Camp America T-Shirt

We’ve got a new Camp America T-shirt, and we did things a bit differently this time.

No AI.
No templates.
We commissioned a real illustrator.

Not to make a statement for the sake of it, but because Camp America has always been about real people, real experiences, and doing things properly, even when there’s an easier option.
 

Finding the illustrator

We found Ollie (@os.illustration) on TikTok. He actually draws, spends most of his time outdoors, and tells stories through his work. His style immediately felt like camp - energetic, imperfect, and full of life.

Not polished.
Not corporate.
Just human.

So we asked him to design our latest Camp America T-shirt.
 

Why a hand-drawn design fits Camp America

Working at a summer camp in the USA isn’t neat or predictable, and that’s the point.

Camp America is built on real-life experiences: showing up, getting involved, learning as you go, and connecting with people from all over the world. Camp is loud, messy, funny, challenging, and rewarding in ways you can’t script.

A hand-drawn design made sense.
Something with movement.
Something with personality.
Something that didn’t look auto-generated.

The final design reflects exactly that: full of energy, slightly rough around the edges, and unapologetically human.
 

Camp jobs are still 100% IRL

This also links back to something we’ve been talking about a lot recently.

AI can do a lot, but what it can’t do is run a summer camp.

Camp jobs rely on human skills AI can’t replace - confidence, leadership, empathy, adaptability, and real connection. You can’t automate supporting a homesick camper or building trust with a group of kids. You have to be there.

That’s why summer camp jobs in the USA still matter, and why Camp America focuses on experiences that build skills employers actually care about.
 

How to get the T-shirt

Come to our final in-person Camp America Job Fair.
Meet camps face-to-face.
Get placed.

When you get hired, you’ll get the T-shirt.

No gimmicks.
Just a small reminder that you chose something real.

Final Camp America Job Fair

📍 London
🗓️ Saturday 28 February
📍 QEII Centre, Westminster
🕚 Doors open at 11:00am
🏕️ 50+ US camps hiring

Meet camps.
Get hired.
Get the tee.

👉 Sign up for the final Job Fair

Already placed?
If you’re heading to London for your visa appointment, you can pick one up from Camp America HQ too.

Just DM us on Instagram with your size and when you’re planning to come by, and we’ll have one ready for you:
👉 www.instagram.com/campamerica69