62 READER STORY
Films about American summer camps like The Parent Trap and Moonrise Kingdom have captured the imagination of many a child. It’s just as fun as it looks, says
Find out what goes on behind the scenes at a summer camp in the US.
When we were children, my sister Zanri and I watched The Parent Trap over and over again. We promised each other that one day we would go to an American summer camp, just like the one in the movie.
Years later, I was on a hike near Clarens with two of my US colleagues. (I work at the American International School of Johannesburg.) At a viewpoint, one of them said: “This view reminds me of the hills around the summer camp I worked at for 18 years.” My friend was talking about Camp Betsey Cox in Vermont, and one casual remark set the wheels in motion…
A year and thousands of kilometres later, I sat at a table in a lodge. More than a hundred girls were streaming through the door. Some were in horse-riding garb, others in swimming costumes. Three sat down next to me and began plaiting each other’s hair. At the door, the members of another group were asked to please leave their bows and arrows outside.
The girls all started to sing, pounding out a rhythm on the table with their fists. It was dinner time at Camp Betsey Cox!
I had arrived at this summer camp deep in the forests of Vermont, in north-eastern USA, two weeks previously. For the next 10 weeks, my job was to teach the girls how to play tennis. As “camp leaders”, we’d been trained as lifeguards and we’d been taught the American Camp Association’s rules and regulations. We’d also done workshops with themes ranging from “Leadership in a multicultural environment” to “What to do when you come across a bear”.
Summer camps are hugely popular in America. During July and August, thousands of children head off to camps across the country. They play outside, roast marshmallows over the campfire and sing songs around the dinner table. The aim of the camps is to make new friends, experience new things and learn life skills. There are camps where the kids may bring their cellphones, but Betsey Cox has a no-cellphone, no-Internet and no-Wi-Fi policy. Letters and postcards are the only way to communicate with the outside world. Needless to say, the girls wrote a lot of letters! The postman visited the camp at 10 am and 4 pm every day. Bags of post were sorted and dropped off at every cabin. I also love writing letters, and I sent one with the Pond Express every day – a canoe that goes from Betsey Cox to Camp Sangamon (for boys) across a small lake called Burr Pond (pictured opposite page).
By the time the kids arrived, the leaders had already settled into camp life. Like the others, I decorated my corner of the cabin with photos, battery-powered lights and a pot plant. Each camp leader sleeps in a cabin with about 10 girls. The camp is home to 120 girls
between 8 and 15 years old.
A bell would ring every morning at 7.30 and the girls had half an hour to prepare for breakfast. In the dining hall, we sang, ate and listened to the announcement of the activities for the day. Three experienced cooks prepared delicious meals like flapjacks, scones, wraps, hamburgers, curries – even bagels and doughnuts over weekends.
After breakfast (and a cabin inspection), the girls spread out over the camp grounds. There were plenty of activities on offer: horse riding, pottery, hiking, arts and crafts, gardening, farm work, paddling in kayaks or on paddleboards, woodwork and more. The girls would do two activities in the morning, followed by half an hour of free time. After lunch, the camp fell quiet while they took a nap, wrote letters or read until 2.30 pm. In the afternoon, they would do two more activities until 4.30 pm, and then have more free time until dinner at 6 pm. In most other settings, teenagers would be glued to their phones, but not here! The tree house was packed with kids learning how to play card games. Groups wandered down to the water while some of the camp leaders did yoga on paddleboards.
The girls also spent hours making friendship bracelets. They would gather on top bunks in cabins and make one bracelet after another. As summer camp neared its end, their arms were covered in bracelets of all colours and patterns. The evening programme usually ended at 9 pm. Sleep, eat, play, repeat – except on Wednesdays, when the girls went on outings that ranged from climbing mountains to visiting museums.
I took 12 girls on a three-day hike to Mount Mansfield (1 340 m) – the highest peak in Vermont. On summit day, we hit the trail before dawn, and I was amazed by the scenery as we left the tree line and walked into the clouds. I couldn’t help but feel immensely privileged. In 10 weeks, I made several close friends and explored one of the most scenic states in America. And I got used to fireflies instead of lights showing me the way at night.
I WANT TO GO, TOO!
How do I apply? International Exchange of North America (IENA) is the best option. I contacted Camp Betsey Cox directly because I wanted to work there specifically. After a few Skype interviews, I was hired as a tennis coach. I still had to apply via IENA to get a work visa, and I had to take out medical insurance. Cost? You pay for your flights and your visa. The camp provides transport to and from the airport and pays the IENA fee. A camp leader’s salary is typically in the region of $180 to $300 (R2 600 to R4 400) per week, depending on your qualification. In the end, the trip cost me nothing – I even brought some money home! When? Summer camps usually run during July and August. The 2020 camp dates are from 28 July to 22 August, plus two weeks beforehand for the orientation session.
Who can apply? Anyone older than 18. It counts in your favour if you’re in a leadership position – like a teacher, youth leader, or sports coach – or if you’ve worked with children in the past.
How long does the application process take? About five months. It’s best to start in November the previous year.
Tip: Research the different camps. If you can’t survive without a hair straightener, make sure the camp has electricity.
Contact: iena.org; campbetseycox.com; campsangamon.com