08 Jan 2014

What’s a summer camp gap year?

Have you seen American movies or TV shows where all the kids go to camp for their summer holidays and do all kinds of activities with their camp counsellors? Well, if you want to work at a summer camp during your gap year, then this is the kind of place you’ll be staying at, and the kind of work you’ll be doing on this break, which usually runs from June to August.

You will have food and a place to stay, with other expenses taken care of, in return for having fun.

Is it made for me?

If you can relate well to children and teenagers, have a happy, fun and active nature, don’t mind living it a little rougher than usual sometimes, can stomach camp food, and can handle all kinds of childhood and teenage angst, then you might become everyone’s favourite counsellor at summer camp! Of course, you’ll need to pass all kinds of criminal and children checks, and have a clean record, and any relevant experience or qualifications will help, although you will get training before you go and on the job.

What will I do with myself at a summer camp?

Being a camp counsellor is the main kind of work, but being a camp counsellor doesn’t mean you’ll be in an office helping kids in therapy all day long. This kind of work means you’ll be leading lots of group activities at camp, and there’s a big variety of activities to do. You also might be involved at meal and bedtime routines, supervising camp members, or helping other counsellors. Playing games and sports, making crafty things, going on outings, looking after animals and rocking out at camp discos are all in a day’s work, if you can call it that.

Where can I do it?

The U.S.A is the most popular place for doing a summer camp gap year, because they’re so big on it over there. There are always vacancies and opportunities during their holiday season for this kind of work. But don’t worry Year13 can also get you unique placements in Canada and Croatia, just ask us!

What will I experience at summer camp?

There will be no end of entertainment when you work with children and teenagers! You’ll feel like a big kid at heart yourself after a few days there. There’s a great feeling of accomplishment when you see everyone having a good time, and knowing that you’ve helped take care of these kids, when they’ve come to camp for all different kinds of reasons, some good and some not so good.

How is this good for my career?

There are lots of career options that a summer camp gap year will help with. You will have learned skills and experience skills which can help you break into education, sports, health and fitness, counselling or running youth programs, so go get into the great outdoors!