I’d spent most of my life avoiding babysitting jobs and quietly admiring people who seemed naturally good with children. Working at an American summer camp for two months felt completely out of character for me. In truth, I only applied because my boyfriend had spent the past two summers there, and the thought of doing long distance again didn’t exactly appeal. He spoke about camp constantly, how amazing it was, how much he loved it, until I was honestly sick of hearing about it. But now that I’ve experienced it myself, I completely understand why. I think I talk about it even more than he does.
I spent the summer working as a general counsellor at a camp in Upstate New York. My job was to look after a group of eleven-year-old girls, taking them from activity to activity each day and being their go-to person for absolutely everything. It was exhausting, emotional, and constantly chaotic, but it was also one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Somewhere along the way, those girls stopped being my campers and became my children. Saying goodbye at the end of the summer was far harder than I ever expected.
What I loved most was how quickly the camp atmosphere pulls you in. At first, I couldn’t stop laughing at the nightly “alma” song and the dances we had to learn for every event. It all felt a bit over the top and cheesy. But within a few weeks, I was completely invested, singing at the top of my lungs, dressing up for themed BBQ’s, and counting down to each evening’s activity; camp has this beautiful ability to turn even the most sceptical people into full believers.
Going into it, I was nervous about the social side of things. I knew my boyfriend would be there, but I also wanted to find my own independence and make new friends. To my surprise, camp made that incredibly easy. Everyone arrives in the same position: far from home, a little unsure, and eager to meet people. I made friends from all over the world, from Ireland to Australia, and by the end of the summer it felt like we’d known each other for years. One day at camp is the equivalent to a year at home. Even though I had gone into it with someone I knew, I realised that camp is one of those rare experiences where you could go completely alone and still never feel lonely.
I genuinely believe everyone should do summer camp at least once in their life- because if a self-confessed camp sceptic like me can fall in love with it, anyone can.
One of the unexpected joys was being away from my phone for two months. We had limited access to signal and Wi-Fi, which at first felt like a nightmare, but soon became one of my favourite parts of the summer. Without the constant distraction of social media, I found myself more present, more connected, and genuinely happier. It was refreshing to focus entirely on real conversations and experiences rather than what was happening on a screen.
After camp ended, I took advantage of the 30-day travel visa that comes with the experience. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore the US after working so hard all summer. I travelled to New York City, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans, Austin, Fort Worth, and Dallas, each with its own character, culture, and rhythm. From the live music on every street corner in Nashville to the jazz-filled nights in New Orleans, it was an unforgettable way to end the summer.
Of course, summer camp isn’t without its challenges. It can be expensive to get started, as you have to pay agency and visa fees upfront, and the pay itself isn’t huge. But what you gain is far more valuable than the money. You get real-world experience, independence, and confidence. You learn how to work as part of a team, manage responsibility, and adapt to new situations, all skills that look brilliant on a CV. More importantly, you gain memories and friendships that stay with you long after the summer ends.
Now that I’m home, I still find myself talking about camp constantly. It’s all I’ve spoken about since I got back, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. I’m already hoping to return next year, although will face the challenge of writing my master’s dissertation out there. It sounds dramatic, but camp truly felt like home.
If you’re even slightly tempted by the idea, I can’t recommend it enough. Whether you go with friends or completely alone, there’s something for everyone. You’ll come back more independent, more open-minded, and probably a little heartbroken to leave it all behind. I genuinely believe everyone should do summer camp at least once in their life -because if a self-confessed camp sceptic like me can fall in love with it, anyone can.