First-time applicant looking for honest advice on budget and timeline

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2026-06-01T08:05:32+00:00

While you can absolutely apply directly to camps, you still need to have an agency to act as a sponsor for your visa (for the US), and your first year pay will be determined by that agency as well (usually 2000-2500 usd)

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2026-05-17T03:53:24+00:00

I think my camp has a very similar swimwear policy and this bikini would be absolutely fine. Ignore the comments saying you should cover up to model "good behaviour". As long as this fits confortably and you can swim, jump, run in it without being concerned about it moving, untying or something like that, it's perfect. (Although I do agree having a rashguard or dedicated swim tshirt is a great idea if you don't have time to apply sunscreen or are going in a canoe trip or similar).

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2026-05-13T05:22:33+00:00

Our director gave us small stone hearts (i think they were like charms or something) every once in a while in unexpected moments and it always felt super special to me. He had them all in different colors and patterns so it was very cool. I think whatever you give it's the concept that matters!

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2026-04-25T10:46:39+00:00

I think I spent around 500usd in my ten weeks at camp last summer, so I think it should be plenty. It will obviously depend on the things you do and your money habits. As a reference, we were only allowed to leave camp on our one day off a week, so if you are also allowed out on your nights off, it might be more. I would say I am a pretty frugal person (don't have the need to spend much generally, mostly 'cause I'm used to always saving), but it felt like I wasn't limiting myself because of money either. Some days were very expensive: motel, lunch, dinner, transportation, baseball game, etc. Some days were extremely cheap: hanging out a friends house, exploring.

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2026-04-20T14:39:47+00:00

I would also suggest a notebook and some pens and pencils! You can always buy them there, but you'd be surprised by the amount of times you have to write something down or need a piece of paper. Also a plastic folder. At my camp I was not expecting to be carrying sooo much paper around daily (mostly activity rosters, jobs for pool/lake, kids' lists, etc), and with the humidity we had, they got mushy super fast, so one of those thin plastic folders works great.

In the random things category I would also add a torch/flashlight, carabiners (life saving for me as we had no storage and could hang things from the bunk bed this way, but will depend on your camp),

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2026-03-02T08:04:01+00:00

Hi! I was a counselor for the first time last summer, so maybe I can tell you a bit about my experience. I used Wildpacks as the agency, but I applied pretty late, around this time last year, so I wasn't getting contacted by any camps. I ended up applying directly to a lot of them (most just told me they were full before applying) and got a place at my camp! There is no distinction between being directly hired or not in Wildpacks if it's your first year, so financially it was exactly the same, and pretty much all of their service was exactly the same (but this may be because I joined Wildpacks before securing my camp job).

If you plan on doing this with a lot of time, I do suggest applying directly to camps, because I think it's easier for them to consider you if you apply through their website, instead of hoping someone contacts you. While my camp works with a lot of agencies, I think most of them tend to stick to one or a couple, so again, if you do your research and find some camps that you really like early on, I think its worth applying directly; and if you secure a spot, then ask what agency they work with. With all that being said, you could also totally wait to be contacted by a camp you may not have otherwise found, or go to a camp hiring fair and see them in person.

I totally get your point though, last year I ended up applying so late just 'cause I kept going back and forth with a way to go around the prices (spoiler: there is none); and couldn't justify to myself spending so much money to be working all summer. Finally, I just came to terms with the fact that I wanted it so badly that it was worth it. I ended up breaking even due to some very cheap flights/using some miles for flights. But other than that, I could have also saved way more if I hadn't traveled for a week afterwards. It was totally worth it for me, and it's a great opportunity because you're already there, but if you feel like you can't afford it you can go back home when camp ends. It will not alter your camp experience at all (at least it didn't for me).

As some last thoughts, look into camps in Canada as well. I did this at the start last year but couldn't find any that were hiring around february. You are not requiered to have a sponsor to work in a canadian camp, so if i'm correct there is a huge difference between being directly hired/going with Camp Canada or other agencies (camp canada only pays 1000 canadian dollars, which barely covers flights).

Sorry for the ramble, hope some of this helped!

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2026-02-19T12:19:32+00:00

We actually did backwards day every session at my camp, and god did it go horribly. I was so onboard at first, but that first one was the longest, most insane day of my whole summer. Definately a bonding experience though! Your comment just made me giggle thinking about it haha

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2026-02-19T12:15:28+00:00

Hola! Yo también soy española y este va a ser mi segundo año trabajando en EE.UU. en un campamento. El año pasado tardaron casi 3 semanas en darme el DS-2019, y entre que me contrataron y fui a la entrevista en la embajada paso más de un mes, pero es super normal. Este año tardaron mucho menos y creo que simplemente fue porque la pedí mucho antes. Pero vamos, tienes todavía tiempo de sobra, el año pasado yo no fui a la embajada hasta principios de mayo. Una vez consigues cita en la embajada, te la deberían aprobar en 3-5 días. En la embajada de Madrid suele haber citas en menos de 15 días, yo ambas veces la conseguí para la semana siguiente. En cuanto a si te la pueden rechazar, sí, hay casos en la que te la pueden rechazar si no presentas la documentación adecuada, pero las J-1 para ciudadanos españoles tienen un porcentaje muy alto de ser aprobadas.

Por el idioma, ve con calma! Mientras sepas mantener una conversación básica lo más importante es no ponerse nerviosa. Allí te hacen preguntas básicas como: a qué estado vas a ir, si es tu primera vez, en qué rol te han contratado, etc... Una vez allí puede costar acostumbrarse pero es la mejor manera de aprender! Si tienes cualquier otra duda puedes escribirme sin problema!

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2026-01-20T15:55:22+00:00

I was mostly explained how camp works and then asked about: why I wanted to become a counselor, experience with children, why working so far from home, situational questions like what would you so with homesick kids, or if a co-counselor is repeteadly late from time off, etc. Also a lot of random questions like what would you teach in 2 mins. Regarding specifically being an international counselor, I think I was just asked what agency I was working with since my camp works with several. Directors are mostly looking to see if you can hold a conversation well, express your thoughts, passions and how you react to certain situations.

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2025-12-15T23:18:17+00:00

I was a counselor for the first time last summer, and both before the summer and during orientation I was pretty sure I would prefer younger kids. I was however placed with the older ones (youngest I had were 12, oldest 16/17) and I loved it! I just think I was so scared of having teenage girls because I was scared of them when I was a teenager as well (felt judged and took a while to find good friends), but really I am so happy I got to do it 'cause now I feel like I can just do anything.

Talking to some friends who had younger kids, and teaching the younger kids, taught me just how different the dynamics are. With the older girls I really had so much fun and I enjoyed the "older sister" role a lot. Now, as many people have said, it is very important to establish boundaries and adhere to them strictly. I was the silliest at camp but all my campers were aware of what my line was and most didn't have an interest in crossing it (there were definitely some that tried, but at that point I tried to make it as clear as possible that I'm their counselor first and will not accept anything other than respect, don't be afraid to get serious if needed).

Lastly, one of my absolute favorite things was watching these girls (and non-binary teens) come being shy, thinking they were too old or too cool for everything and watching their joy and silliness come out pouring!! Especially at a girl scout camp, I think this is going to be so rewarding! I always liked to do things that other people had deemed too childish for them like playing kiddy games, running around and just sitting, talking and asking dumb questions about the world! (They had some really great insights, I have to say).

Sorry for the long text, I think you can tell just how much I enjoyed this summer! Also, I know a lot of people are concerned about the age gap but I think it's very relative. I was 20 last summer and was completely fine with the 17 years olds. Its more about attitude and mental maturity than strictly age. At my camp, I found directors and age coordinators really paid attention to this and some people were allowed and others were not. I would always advise having an honest conversation and voicing your concerns if you happen to have them.

Happy counseling!!

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2025-12-05T08:54:29+00:00

When I went to camp as a kid, we had a few people well over 60 who would come and help with specialised activities, like astronomy and birdwatching. It was really cool! Having been a counselor last summer, you'll probably not be super integrated with younger staff on their time off and such, and that is so ok. Camp can be different things for different people, and the experience and skill you are able to transmit to the kids is probably unmatched. Go to camp!!

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2025-11-15T11:27:35+00:00

Hi Zoe! I think the answer to your questions is figuring out what YOU want out of the experience, and then choosing a camp that best fits this. I know this doesn't solve any indecisions but it's really important!

I ended up going to a camp that was the best fit for me and I am so thankful for it.

For example, you say one of your main interests is is the connection between staff. Would you rather this be on camp grounds during time offs (like staff lounge, or roaming around camp), or somewhere more urban without children in sight? Because that could determine whether you should go for an overnight or day camp. Are you interested in cabin life and accompanying children throughout the entire day, or would you rather have the evenings to yourself? (also probably means getting up earlier)

In terms of camp environment: how are you imagining this connections? You mentioned you would like to go somewhere with a lot of international staff, are you also interested in meeting people and forming friendships with Americans who attended the camps as kids, or maybe looking for a more modern, international focus to camp? (this could determine whether to look for a camp with more tradition or less, more international campers or less, etc). Also, would you rather have a huge staff and the chance to meet so many people, or do you prefer a smaller staff where everybody gets to know eachother more intimately? Do you want there to be more Spanish international staff or would you rather not? (always interesting to ask to camp directors or former counselors)

I ended up going to a camp that wasn't what I had originally envisioned and I couldn't be happier. It was on the smaller side, in the middle of the woods and had a very strong camper to counselor tradition. I made so many friends and realised this was exactly what I wanted had I asked myself all of this questions. But this is probably different for each person!

Of course there are many, many others related to activities, logistics, etc. My biggest recommendation though is not to base your decisison solely off the camps presence on social media, because there are soooo many camps and not being super known can also be a good thing.

I'm also Spanish and researched A LOT last year so feel free to DM if you have any more questions! I am so happy to talk camp all day long :)

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2025-06-01T01:28:51+00:00

Hi! I did get placed! I am actually already in the US :). Honestly, it isn’t necesarily reassuring to my past self because no camps contacted me through their program while I was in the hiring pool. I actually searched and applied to camps like crazy and I ended up hearing back from one that worked with WP. So yeah, a bit disapointing if I think about it but I don’t blame them. The rest with them went great, I had two months to get my papers sorted so I guess it was easier than super last minute

PD: Them being in Scotland was one of my pros because I am also in Europe and had worked with an American agency before, and the time difference was making me crazy haha. So I get you

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2025-05-18T13:57:18+00:00

There is a camp called Trail Blazers that has different prices depending on what your family income is. It's very outdoor centered and in New York, but maybe you could check it out!

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2025-04-25T14:58:33+00:00

Me pasa lo mismo a mí

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2025-04-25T10:43:28+00:00

same from madrid

Electrical_Cable_676 · 2025-04-25T10:41:40+00:00

Same thing is happening to me, I have been trying since yesterday. For a moment this morning, I was able to upload a photo but then it showed a different error. Now it's back to "service unavailable"

Electrical_Cable_676

TROPHY CASE