Camp America has been running since 1969 and thousands of young Australians have enjoyed this as part of a GAP year. It is a highly structured experience – safe, but exciting and challenging.
Check the Camp America website to see the many interesting options available through Camp America. www.campamerica.com.au
The website is fantastic and provides all of the information you and your teenager will need. Here are just a few programs offered…
Au Pair
Au Pairs live with an American family and look after the children. Au Pairs are paid a good allowance and food and accommodation are provided.
Camp America Counsellors
Camp Counsellors work in one of the many summer camps American students often attend all around the USA. Camp Counsellors lead activities and generally help to look after the wellbeing of the American students. They have to be outgoing, fit, mature, love getting involved in various activities and possess a ‘have-a-go’ approach to life.
Camp Counsellors have food and accommodation provided for them and are paid a one-off salary of approximately USD$1,200 to $1,575 depending on their age and experience. This is a generous payment considering the fact that participants have the time of their lives and taste another country and culture.
Global Projects
Global Projects are 1 to 3 month placements offered in France, Italy, Spain or Thailand. Participants live with a local family and swap all meals and accommodation for 15 hours English conversation per week. Sounds like a bargain! These placements are available right throughout the year and would be a wonderful way to experience living in another country in a well-organised placement. Even looking at the fantastic images on the website is enough to make this a serious consideration. ‘Explore! Teach! Imagine!’ Young people should certainly think about this unique option.
All of these experiences offer young people an opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and taste life in another country in well-structured settings. These experiences can change young people for the better. Often they return with a greater appreciation of how lucky we are in Australia. They return with their sights set on new and interesting careers as well as being bitten by the travel bug. This is a positive outcome and many teenagers decide to take up more part-time work while studying so that they can complete another overseas voluntary work placement or study tour offered through their tertiary institution. It’s all good!
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