It is difficult to give a brief explanation of what American summer camps for children are like because of the wide differences to be found amongst them. There are three major kinds of camps: organizational camps, private camps and institutional camps.

· Organizational camps are sponsored by such groups as the YMCA, YWCA, Girl Scouts, Fresh Air Fund, Church denominations, etc. Children in these camps are sometimes from homes in the lower economic levels, and from many different cultural and racial origins, but they may also come from middle income families. Campers pay a moderate fee, with many children receiving scholarship help. They stay in camp for periods ranging from one to eight weeks.

· Private camps are owned by an individual or family, usually by the camp director. Children are generally from middle and upper income families. These camps vary greatly in educational policy and program content, according to the particular purposes of the director. Each camper pays a fee and stays in camp from one to eight weeks.

· Institutional camps include those for mentally and physically handicapped people. These camps are for children and adults who have special needs and require special attention. Working in these camps is very demanding, and sometimes specialized experience is required.

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Camp enrollments can range from 25 to 500 children. Some are for boys only, or for girls only; many are for both. All camps include such permanent buildings as a dining hall, office headquarters, recreation hall and infirmary (small hospital). In addition, most camps have permanent cabins for housing the campers. Some provide running hot water, indoor showers and toilets. Scout camps tend to be more rugged, with campers and counselors often living in tents outdoors.

It should be noted that while camping in other countries is often an informal arrangement, with the emphasis on outdoor camping and cooking, hiking, sports, etc., American camping usually combines these activities with a program of handicrafts, dramatics, woodcraft, animal care, and special athletic instruction within a more structured environment. Overnight camping, long hikes and canoe trips are planned as special activities.

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Almost all of the camps begin their orientation training for counselors sometime between June 6 and 20. It is essential that international counselors arrive in the United States during this period. A camp has considerable difficulty arranging for a new counselor to join the staff late, and a late arrival sometimes misses important information given in pre-camp training. The summer camp period usually closes sometime during the last two weeks of August.

Counselors must plan to spend the full period in their camps. If one leaves early without full agreement with the ICEP and the camp, there will be a deduction from the travel allowance. The ICEP must be able to promise camp directors that counselors will continue their work in camp until the closing day when all counselors are free to leave.

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While camps vary widely in their program schedules, the following is given as a typical arrangement of the day's activities:

In most camps counselors have five or six days of free time during the course of the summer, often one day each week except for the opening and closing weeks. On these days, international counselors often go with other counselors into nearby towns. In some cases this may be difficult due to transportation problems. Most camps are located far from large cities. In some cases the camp make some arrangements for international counselors to visit families in nearby communities. Ordinarily there is very little free time on days the counselor is on duty. Although the programs usually not very strenuous, the counselor is responsible for his or her group all through the day and evening. Most camps also have a no smoking policy. Often, it feels like a 24-hour job...

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International counselors can make a better contribution to their camps if they bring articles from their own country that will be interesting to the campers, and will help them better organize engaging educational activities. Please think creatively. Former counselors have suggested these items:

· Songbooks, preferably with translations, tapes of national songs, and dances.

· Short stories, jokes, coins, stamps, maps, photographs, color slides for use with a projector, games, costumes, etc. (from your country).

Also, don't forget necessary items for personal comfort/protection: good old clothes, a raincoat, swimming suit or trunks, at least 1 or 2 pairs of sneakers, a flashlight with extra batteries, mosquito repellent, a padlock, a alarmed watch and/or an alarmclock. etc.

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