Is Camp America Worth It? My Honest Experience

Travelling alone and taking part in something as huge as Camp America is exciting, especially for someone like me, who loves meeting new people and exploring new places. All I had known about camp was from The Parent Trap and reviews online that gloated a “life-changing” experience and “the best summer of my life”. Naturally, I went in expecting the ultimate experience… but reality had a few surprises in store.

Camp life wasn’t quite the “ultimate experience” I imagined, but boy, it was definitely an experience. Here’s my honest take.

Training Week

The first week at camp was filled with meetings and icebreakers that made me question my life choices. I quickly bonded with my fellow advisors and was excited to start working with the campers. That excitement hit a bump when I sprained my ankle in the first week. Suddenly, I went from ready to take on camp to learning how to drive a golf cart left footed, a secret talent no one asked for. I missed training, struggled to meet my campers, and had to rely heavily on my new friends.

The Reality of Camp Life

My ankle healed, but the real exhaustion that came with camp life set in. Days started at 7 a.m. and ended somewhere around 1 a.m. Basically, my sleep schedule was now a vague suggestion. Breaks were a contradiction as advisors were expected to supervise kids during free periods and meals which felt like herding caffeinated cats. With only five days off across two months, the feeling of being trapped was real. Sometimes, survival meant that every knock on my door was a test of my stealth skills, usually ending with a whispered plea to another advisor: "Please tell them I’m not here".

Challenges & Responsibilities

Being an advisor meant a ton of responsibility, often without proper support. My role was assisting the children while also expected to manage assistant advisors and bunk counsellors, many of whom were also struggling themselves. There were times I was expected to handle calls from worried parents, and even send children home for extreme homesickness or inappropriate behaviour.

The administration was often absent… I think they were hiding from us or maybe testing our survival skills. In the last week, I barely saw my campers because we were made to write an evaluation for every child and counsellor we supervised (roughly 40 in one week). End-of-camp bonuses went to bunk counsellors. Advisors got… eternal gratitude and the experience of mild PTSD.

The Good

Despite all the challenges, I made friends who stayed up with me late planning our kids' activities, and laughed with me when I'd slip on my crutches on the way to lunch. The experience was tough but I'd be lying if I said there wasn't some definite highs:

• I made some of my closest friends, especially among fellow advisors who were going through the same struggles.

• I built genuine connections with campers who I still miss.

• There is a sense of community with like-minded people who I still keep in touch with today.

• I gained perspective, experienced hilarious moments, and made memories I’ll never forget.

The Bad

There were definitely some lows, but I don’t always overreact… oh wait, yes I do. And really, nothing bonds people like shared trauma. Especially when that trauma is simultaneous food poisoning at 11 p.m., turning the bathroom into the most popular spot in the middle of the night.

Here’s a summary of some of the toughest parts:

• Long hours with minimal breaks and supervision responsibilities.

• A lot of exhaustion and little personal time.

• Heavy responsibilities with minimal training.

• Little support and at times appreciation from administration.

• Low pay compared to workload and responsibilities.

  
  

Would I Do It Again?

Honestly? Probably not. Camp America was basically a two-month endurance test disguised as a summer adventure. But I do sometimes miss the friendship and the laughter, I mean when will I ever have the chance to work and live with my best friends for 2 months straight again? Maybe I would consider it again... but only if they come with me.