Hundreds of camps - we'll find the one to suit you!
Wild Packs works with over 300 different camps across the USA and they are all approved by the American Camp Association, which is like the Ofsted of the camping world. These camps are similar in lots of ways but will also have a number of their own traditions that make them special and unique.
Camp sessions vary from one to eight weeks in length, with up to 600 campers! That’s a lot of kids, but there’s a lot of support provided, too.
Start your summer camp adventure
Prepare to be pleasantly surprised! It’s suddenly so easy to see yourself in America this summer.
Overnight vs. Day Camps
Most of the camps that hire international staff are known as ‘sleepaway camps’ which obviously means that the children will stay overnight and sleep in cabins or bunks. Staff will live in the cabins with the campers and provide round-the-clock care for them.
Day camps are a little different in the fact that the campers will go home in the evening and return the next day. At these camps, staff will generally live together in shared accommodation.
Co-ed vs. Single Sex
The boys and girls you look after at camp will sleep in separate accommodations – even at coeducational (co-ed) summer camps. In some cases, they will even have different campuses.
They will meet up for some activities but will generally remain in single-sex groups when in activities during the day.
Single-sex camps are generally designed to cater specifically for the different interests and individual needs of boys and girls. Their programs are often more focused on developing skills and campers generally thrive in this environment. Where there are separate camps for boys and girls in the same area, they will often get together for certain social events during the summer.
Many of the top camps in America are all-boy or all-girl environments and come highly recommended by members of the Wild Packs team!
Traditional Camps
The vast majority of the camps that we work with fall into this category. That’s because they offer a wide range of ‘traditional’ camp activities including sports, outdoor adventure, performing & creative arts, aquatics and horseback riding.
Campers are given the opportunity to participate in all of these activities at some point throughout their stay, and they can often choose to focus on their favourites.
In addition to the daily activities, there will be a number of special events throughout the summer that really encompass the spirit and traditions that have evolved over the years.
Faith Based Camps
Some camps will be set up to cater for campers of a particular faith, usually Christianity or Judaism. Whilst they will still offer the same activities as traditional camps, they will also incorporate some religious practices as part of their program.
If you are a member of a particular faith and would like to work with campers who share your beliefs, please don’t hesitate to let us know. In fact, a large proportion of the children that go to camp will describe themselves as Jewish, and some non-denominational camps will only serve Kosher food to cater for this.
Specialist Camps
Some camps may focus more heavily on one particular area, such as the arts, outdoor adventure or sports. We also work with camps that cater for child and adult campers with additional needs (such as learning, emotional, physical or mental disabilities).
These camps generally look for skilled and experienced staff members who can provide a higher level of care.
Non-Profit Camps
Whilst many camps will charge a fee for campers to attend, there are some wonderful organisations out there that give children from less-privileged, inner-city backgrounds the opportunity to experience the magic for a much lower price.
These camps still offer many of the same activities as private camps; however, they are generally smaller and may have slightly more rustic facilities.
YMCA Camps
It’s fun to camp with the YMCA! Not to be confused with the famous song, the YMCA is the largest camping organisation in the USA and they run some phenomenal camp programs for hundreds of thousands of children.
Girl Scout Camps
These camps pretty much do what they say on the tin, which means they’re all about providing outdoor camping experiences for members of The Girl Scouts organisation.
As you might imagine, these camps are all female and generally focus on outdoor living skills and adventure.
Application and Interview Cost You Nothing
Prepare to be pleasantly surprised! It’s suddenly so easy to see yourself in America this summer.
Want some more details and examples of camps?
Visit our partners, Ticket4TwoPlease, and find out the potential experience you could have at various types of camps.
