With the AmeriCamp Camp fairs fast approaching, you may be wondering what to expect. Anya Steen, a former AmeriCamp participant has provided an in-depth account of what to expect, as you prepare to take a stride towards your Summer of a Lifetime!
Hello all!
With the AmeriCamp Camp fairs fast approaching, I’d like to offer some insight into what to know, do, say and ask! These are all things I wish I had known last year as a first-timer, so I really hope this information is beneficial in some way. Enjoy!
Researching Camps before the AmeriCamp Camp fairs
Before you attend the fair, you will know what Camps will be there. My advice would be to initially research every Camps in brief: does it suit your availability and skills? If so, perfect! Then research more in depth – what are the Camps values? Camps directors will be extremely impressed if you whip them out in the interview.
Research the type of Camps it is: is it religious, a girl scout Camps or traditional Camps? They may ask what drew you over to that specific type of Camps. Once you have done that, you are good to go!
A common mistake is over-researching; this is something I did and when I got to an interview, I had forgotten everything!
Favourite Camps?
It is not uncommon for people to come out with a favourite Camps and have their heart set on it. I certainly did. My heart was set on a specific Camps and when I didn’t get hired I was disappointed to say the least. But not to worry, there are loads of other Camps out there that will be perfect for you!
Another top tip is not to rule out any Camps when visiting the AmeriCamp Camp fairs. The Camps I ended up going to was last on my list because I didn’t think I had the right availability dates. When I got there I saw that the dates had changed, and I could actually go! Keep your options open, interview with as many Camps as you can, your perfect Camps could be the one you don’t expect!
Interview tips: What to ask
When I interviewed with Camps directors I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was extremely nervous and just eager to get a job. I interviewed with about 3-4 Camps before I was offered a job. I was so excited I said yes, without thinking and asking questions.
These may seem a bit random but trust me, these are things I wish I had known before going. Something as simple as laundry facilities may be worth asking about. The facilities at my Camp were not too great and I found myself running out of clothes and getting really frustrated which may I add, is not ideal! Ask what their laundry is like, is it easily accessible? How often will you get to do laundry? Is it big? (mine had only a few machines for over 200+ people). This will be handy to know before going to help you prepare.
Time off
You don’t want to sound cheeky in your interview, I understand, but I really wish I had asked more about time off at my Camps.
If you are keen to go off Camps and explore on days off, be sure to ask if this is possible. I automatically assumed that every Camps had opportunities to go off site but this wasn’t the case.
However, we did get time off for the 4th of July and that was a nice break.
Top Tip
Perhaps my biggest tip of all is to have fun! The Camps directors want to see your personality in all its natural glory.
It’s understandable that you may be nervous but try to relax. You will meet loads of other applicants, so don’t be shy to get talking to them and make new friends – you never know they could be at the same Camps as you!
One more thing, before you are all dozing off to sleep: please don’t be disheartened if you’re not placed at the fair. AmeriCamp works with over 1,000 Camps and not even a fraction of them will be at the fair, so do not be discouraged, your perfect Camps is waiting just around the corner.
Thanks for reading and enjoy the Camp fair!
Anya Steen
For a full list of upcoming dates and to book your place at an AmeriCamp Camp fair, click HERE!
