All that's good at Camp America by Emilia Palmer

Emilia R Palmer (DON, 20-22)

This summer I did Camp America and to say it is the best decision I have made would be an understatement. I worked at Camp Echo just 2 hours north of New York City and then travelled for a month afterwards. The whole experience was so enriching, and I have learned so much about myself. I have made some amazing friends from all over the world. My confidence has improved massively, not least from jumping on a 9-hour flight on my own to spend 3 months 3,000 miles away from home. It has broadened my perspective in many ways, and by collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures around the world, I’ve been able to greatly expand my understanding of different viewpoints and experiences.

It was a very last-minute decision to go to camp. I assumed I would spend my summer doing internships, but I decided to try something new and push myself out of my comfort zone. I knew that I enjoyed working with kids after having worked at the CCB International Summer Camps the two years previous. One of my favourite movies is The Parent Trap, and it inspired me to want to experience something like that myself. For me, Camp America was an opportunity to work with kids in an environment I knew I loved with the additional bonus of a month’s travel afterwards!

A typical day at camp would be 8.15am wake up to the reveille (not quite a real life trumpet like in The Parent Trap but an announcement over the tannoy system) and then to the flag pole to raise the flag at 8.30am. After breakfast, as an activity counsellor I would set up my activity. I was a high ropes counsellor which meant that I spent most of the day on the ropes course or climbing wall. All camp counsellors are assigned a bunk and during any free periods I would go and find my kids and join in with whatever activity they were doing. After 6 activity periods with lunch in the middle, I had my period off to spend in the staff room with AC. Each evening, there would be a different activity until 9pm which included from discos, varsity basketball games, fashion shows and live band karaoke. Highlights included: college week, free periods in the pool and lake with the kids and the staff talent show.

After 2 months at Echo, I then spent the next 4 week travelling the states. I was fortunate to be able to have travelled to some amazing places! We started with a staff party in NYC and then most people went to Nashville for a few nights. I then travelled west with a smaller group and did a road trip. We went to: San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, down Highway 1 to LA, Las Vegas, a few national parks in Utah, Grand Canyon National Park and Sedona. I then travelled with one friend to Chicago, Philadelphia and then back to NYC. It was a busy 3 weeks which went by way too quickly. I saw some incredible places and made some incredible, life-long friendships with people from all over the world! Summer 2024 will always be a special one!

If you love working with kids, I would highly recommend going to camp! You get the chance to teach your skills in sports / art / outdoor activities to campers which is so rewarding! It’s a great experience for personal growth, and not only that, it’s a great opportunity to travel around the states! 

Although I wouldn’t want to attract people away from the CCB summer camps. I am grateful to both Sharon and Martyn for the opportunities they gave me for the 2 summers I was there.