How to increase your chances of placement

Jay enjoying camp...

It’s quite difficult to ‘make the cut’ for Camp America – you need to be dedicated in your quest for ‘heading to camp’ – as we only want those who really want this.We don’t just take anyone. We only accept the best.

In saying that – it’s not out of anyone’s reach – just takes some effort from you – and for you to do what we say – we’ve been placing people at camp since 1969 – we know the Camp Directors, we know the camps, we know what they like, what they look for and what they don’t like to see.

So – here’s a quick guide to getting in to Camp America and getting placed.

Flexibility – be flexible in your camp types to consider – and your attitude. The Kiwi ‘can do’ attitude sells well overseas – adapt that into your application.

Enthusiasm – we can’t get past an applicant who oozes enthusiasm – it’s contagious – and we love it. Incorporate your passion for this into your application and your video.

Maturity – if your Mum or Dad calls us – that does not show us how mature you are! We really think it’s important (as do camps) that you are mature enough to handle the application and placement process alone without the need for your parents to help you or intervene if it gets too hard for you – this is a job after all. It’s part of the overall test – if you can’t handle that alone – you sure won’t handle Camp.

Skills – obviously some skills are more sought after than others – you can see a list here – and if you are 18 or younger and planning to apply – please look into certifying yourself in one of these. The more skills you can LEAD the better. Be confident in your ability to teach children the skills you are good at. A camp Director will most likely not hire someone you can only ‘assist’.

Teaching tennis to a child is very rewarding

Types of camps – quiz up on the types of camps and then try and say yes to all – this will open up your placement chances considerably. The one type of camp we get alot of applicants syaing ‘no thanks’ to on their application form – is those with some degree of Christian Emphasis. Read on for why…

For many faith camps, a belief in the practiced faith is not a pre-requisite for counsellors, however, being open-minded, respectful and willing to learn about the lives and faith of others is essential. They won’t be hiring you to teach bible study if you know nothing about it… you’ll be employed to teach what it is you do know. So you’ll be teaching tennis (for example) to kids from a family of that faith. You won’t be teaching bible study!

Unless that’s your skill.

Photos – choose two photos (you only get to show us 2 – so make sure they are the best you can find) – recreate them if you don’t have any, make sure they show ACTIVITY – hence the name Activity Photo – and make sure it’s preferably of one of the high demand skills and not rugby, netball or cricket. No team shots with you standing doing nothing. It must show activity and must show you clearly.

Here’s a great example…two activity photos…can you tell who the applicant is and the activity in each (hint – one’s good – other not so)

Great - we can see the applicant AND the activity - and that she is doing it

Whats the activity at a glance?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video – this will make or break your application – if you get creative and have fun with it – the camps will absolutely love it.

Here’s a great example. And yes – she is placed now.

If you are not technically minded here’s a few tips;

• Small Digital Photo cameras often take video – use one of those if you don’t have a video camera
• Make sure it’s smaller than 16MG and meets the following criteria (movie file types)…
• Get a techie friend to help you

 

 

Grammar/Spelling/Presentation – it’s all about presenting yourself as best as you can – so that means no text language in your application. Use capitals. Proof read it 4 times. Check your spelling. Americans don’t look too fondly on typos and spelling errors.

Facebook – clean up your Social Network pages – Camps WILL look for you online.

We give you a full two pages of tips once you start applying, if you’ve applied and haven’t read them or haven’t followed them – and are not placed yet – now might be a good time to review them and make some changes to your application.

Applications are still open for High Demand Skills.

Placements happen all the way through to June.

What are Camps Looking For?

When you speak with a camp – maybe by email, phone or Skype  – that’s after you’ve been accepted of course, you may wonder what it is they will ask, and what they are wanting to hear.

Here’s  few tips.

I have witnessed many different Camp Directors interview styles, in person…. and the one thing I can tell you for SURE – is that they are all different. They all look for different things in a person – and sometimes that can change between directors of the same camp.

Have you heard of the Halo Effect? In recruitment – we tend to hire, or like others, that are most like ourselves. We think we did a good job and so someone ‘just like us’ would be perfect. It’s a classic ‘no no’ in the world of HR – but it happens all the time. We can’t help it – we automatically get along with others with similar values as ourselves.

So – take a Camp Director – he or she will be most likely to hire someone they like. Full Stop. They obviously have been drawn to your application because you have skills they are looking for – so your job is to be ‘liked’ during your interview with the camp.

Sidenote – some camps will just hire you based on your video and what you have written, phew!

Ok – so back to being ‘liked’.

• Talk about your skills and talents with enthusiasm – smile – they can’t see it but they will ‘feel’ it – it makes a big difference to your voice.
• Be passionate about your skills and what you could offer their camp.
• Be interested in their camp – ask questions. You know what it’s like when you meet a new person and they really seem interested in you. You get along with them better, more quickly.
• Be honest – no point telling them you are a trained Lifeguard – if you are not.
• Be flexible – don’t tell them what you can’t do but be open to holding up your hand to learn what it is you need to know before you get to camp.
• Listen – DO NOT speak over the person interviewing you – wait till they have finished speaking before you start your reply.
• Don’t ask what ‘you’ll get’ from the camp (time off, internet access etc)

They will be looking for someone who is knowledgable and proficient in the skill listed on the application form. If you get a call – or a Skype request – that’s your chance to get the interviewer to ‘like’ you.

Some Camps will talk mostly about your skills.

Others will ask you about your childcare experience.

Others will ask about why you want to go to camp – do you have enough money.

And then there will those camps that are mostly concerned with your personality and how you’ll integrate with the returning staff they have already hired to come back.

So – good luck – hope these tips helped.

Check your email – and your junk folder – daily. Make sure you voicemail is ‘appropriate’, and your Facebook page too.

Maybe you'll get a job teaching riding

Which Camp is best?

Firstly – for those of you still waiting for a placement, or contact from a Camp – don’t worry – the camper registrations close off in March/April so by then they know how many staff they need you see. In the old days they were always full (pre-recession) but now they have to take each year as it happens. So most placements happen from March right through until end of June (last year our last placement was July 2nd! – boy was she excited!)

So – we find (I’ve been doing this in NZ since 2001 now), that if a camp calls or emails and you are having doubts – it’s usually because you have a pre-conceived idea about what camp will be like, more specifically – the camp you’ll end up at.

Then you get an email, look up the camp website and your stomach sinks.

That’s not what you had pictured in your head!

Well – firstly – never judge a camp by the email or the website – Speak to the camp first before you make any judgments or get any ideas at all. The website is only ever as good or bad as the web designer. The email is only as good or bad as the person who wrote it in a hurry.

So – since 2001 – I have heard stories from counsellors, year after year – telling me, without a doubt, that their camp is the BEST CAMP IN AMERICA. For sure. 100% no doubt about it.

Then I get talking to them – I met a counsellor who went to a Quaker camp – no power, grew all their own veggies! She loved it and went back every year.

Jewish Camps – everyone loves the Jewish camps… all that you’ll crave is bacon. But you can get that on your days off at the local shops no doubt if that really worries you.

Single Sex Camps – the first thing you won’t tell us about humming and harring about these camps is – “I won’t meet any girls/guys” – total rubbish! These camps are most often very near many other camps, so on your time off, everyone (yes – everyone) goes to the Local Walmart – which is FULL of counsellors.

Walmart has cafes and food places so everyone hangs out… not a problem at all so don’t let that scare you off!  Your accent will attract enough attention to keep you busy.

Girl Scout or Rustic Camps – alot people don’t want to be that rustic – but hey – this is CAMP America remember…. and you’re a Kiwi – you’ll love it – it’s gonna be up to 40 degrees so how nice to be sleeping outside in a platform tent.

My point is – if I asked 100 returned counsellors now which camp is the best camp in America – they would all say “My Camp is!”.

It’s not THE camp it’s THE Experience. So make the most of it. Embrace emails and job offers like they are gold dust and be flexible, be open minded in your thinking and you WILL have the best summer of your life.

Camp is what you make it - put in 150% you'll get back that and more.

Superstar

You don’t have to be a superstar to apply to go to Camp America – but you do need to have something you can ‘bring to camp’  – and I don’t mean Vegemite.

Swim teachers at camp

We like enthusiasm and flexibility the most – those applicants who say “Yep – I’ll give that a try!” – we like you.

The kids are kids – you know – aged between 5-16 mainly. So – 9 times out of 10 you don’t need to be Olympic Level at your top skills to teach it to the kids.

Teaching – if you’ve taught others your skill (even just friends or family) that’s “teaching experience” – make sure you list it – how long for, how many times?

Teaching or Coaching Experience – doesn’t mean you’ve been taught or coached by someone else. Nope. It means – you have taught or coached others in this skill. If you have taught or coached – tell us all about it on your application form.

While looking through applications this week for the Camp Directors Recruitment Day – I have found that often an applicant hasn’t mentioned enough detail about their experience so the camp has said “no thanks”.

For example one application came across as not having alot of experience with children so the camp said no thanks – we spoke to the interviewer who said yes he did – but he hadn’t conveyed it on his application well enough.

Fact: Camps cannot read minds.

Myth: Camps will call you anyway and find out

No – they have so many applications to look through – if they don’t like what they see they just move on to the next one.

Fact: Alot of camps have a religious emphasis of some kind

Don’t cut yourself off from these camps – they WON’T hire you for Bible Study Class if you are not religious – they’ll hire you to teach the kids your skill. These kids will be from a religious family. You may have to accompany them to a service weekly and join in for Grace before dinner or sing songs at the service – but the camp understands you are not religious before they hire you.

Myth: You end up Jewish at the end of Camp if you go to a Jewish Camp.

Jewish camps will know you are not Jewish (btw – if you are Jewish we need to see your application asap!!) by looking on your application. Apart from Orthodox Jewish Camps they like to hire staff from all kinds of backgrounds.

I have spoken to loads of counsellors that have been to Jewish Camps and loved it, they find it interesting and really apart from a service weekly the only thing you’ll really notice is you won’t eat dairy and meat together and no pork.

Don't cut off you placement chances

Lastly – be courteous – to camps calling/emailing you… get back to them straight away… and if you are polite and positive every time we communicate with you – you’ll give us that “they are a really nice applicant” feeling and we’ll go out of our way to make sure you get placed.

Some applicants don’t communicate with us, and then decide they don’t want to go anymore, ignore camps contacting them, ignore us…. then finally after many calls and messages from us they tell us they’ve cancelled.

Fact: There is a CANCEL button on your Camp America Direct page.

Fact: We can’t read minds either.

If you do decide not to go – cancel, and let someone else have a shot at the job. I know there are lots of you out there waiting very patiently – we have noticed – thank you.

Til next time – Vicki

Facebook and the likes…

Camps don't mind seeing you dressed up

Don’t know if you’ve seen the movie The Social Network yet, or is it just Social Network? Anyway – what I found interesting was where the name Facebook came from. What the Universities over in America had were online or printed ‘Facebooks’ which were basically student listings with a photo.

Of course that was how Facebook the social network caught on so quickly – that and the fact it was exclusive to Harvard initially.

So – Facebook has been around in America since 2003 – in some ways they have been using it alot longer than us Kiwis, so it’s natural for potential employers to look an potential employee up on Facebook before hiring.

What else you need to consider is – the drinking age in America is 21 and it’s strictly enforced, and under age drinking and drink driving is frowned upon – you go to jail, not like here. The other thing to think about is most Americans follow a faith of some kind – be it Jewish religion or Christianity.

They – as a country are alot more religious than us Kiwis.

So – when a camp sees your Facebook page and it’s all about you drinking, getting pissed, photos of you drinking, swearing on your wall, sexual references, they get offended and think – hmmmmm is this person really going to be the role model I am looking for for our campers (aged 5-15).

Also – they don’t know we can drink from a much younger age here – so any reference to drinking is thought of as ‘breaking the rules’ – therefore you’ll be more likely to break the rules at camp.

And there are lots of rules at camp. If you break them – and it’s a serious one – you’ll be sent home. On the spot.

The Americans that do know about our drinking age – still think you’ll be tempted to get drunk while over there – therefore not only breaking the law – but the rules.. there’s those pesky rules coming up again.

Camps have to have rules… you can understand – a whole bunch of strangers having to work together as a team for 9 weeks… they can’t afford to have rules broken – the whole camp would go into chaos. It’s not like a normal NZ job where – 3 strikes and you’re out – ie you get two warnings – nope. This is serious America – no NZ employment law stands over there. In America anyone can fire anyone for what ever reason.

But I am not trying to scare you – just tying to point out the difference. Basically – you get told the rules at the beginning of camp – don’t break ’em and you’ll be sweet!

ahhhh – I digressed, Facebook – make your page/wall etc private but even better have a wonderful example of you and what a good role model you are on your Facebook page – and don’t hide it – then you will get hired for sure.

…. one more thing… all the texting that happens each day means some people fill out a job application with such incorrect grammar and punctuation – please everyone – this is a job application – how you present you and your application does matter.

how wld u feel if i write th blg like thus and even worse make speeling and typinng errooos all da way thru. ??

You’ll probably get a good laugh out of that – I can’t write like that if you paid me to!

Vicki

remember – we are not doing all this to be a pain the arse – It’s Our Mission to Get You Placed.

Kiwis are modest

Don't miss out, don't be modest

Most Kiwis have to be poked and prodded before they’ll talk about themselves so a Camp America application can prove difficult for them. They don’t like to talk about themselves, rate themselves, sell themselves.

Well…

Just remember – you are up against Australians and Americans and South Africans – THEY WILL… so take advantage of the fact you have grown up near rugged bush walks, dangerous oceans and lakes, and have learnt things that you think are just normal… but to someone from another country – it may not be.

Sell yourself – tell us and the Camp Directors everything there is to be told about every skill you have. Overnight Camping and Hiking (Tramping) are two in demand skills, and we do this growing up, at school, at scouts and guides – it becomes the norm for a kiwi to do. So you get to where you are now and think – “oh that’s nothing” – well – it isn’t nothing – it’s a FAB skill.

Hiking example; How far, how long, how often, what is the terrain like, did you stay overnight, did you pitch a tent, make a fire, cook food, cross rivers, help others, carry a heavy pack. Just saying you hiked on Mt Ruapehu doesn’t convey to the camps exactly how intense that is.

OK – so you’ve kayaked all your life, – grab some kids (that you know :-)) and teach them (with parents permission and a life jacket of course), see what it’s like to teach a skill you know inside out – it can be different. But then GUESS WHAT?
You’ll have teaching experience!!!

Golf – we want to know your handicap.

We don’t want to know what you can’t do.
Don’t write – BUT I can’t do this that or the other…

Referring to stuff you did at highschool is all very well but it’s continually reminding the camps how young you are – try and refer to club based experience instead. Taking a class at school and being ‘taught’ it – does NOT mean you have ‘teaching experience’.

Have rock-climbing experience? Get down to your local wall and volunteer to help kids climb…

There are so many ways you can gain really valuable teaching experience without it costing an arm and a leg.

Have fun too.

Moral of this blog – don’t be shy, don’t be modest – this is your once in a lifetime chance to get to Camp America.

Camp Modin

 

Waterfront at Modin

So – we have another special camp coming to NZ to hire Kiwis

they will be…. in

Christchurch 15th Jan, Tauranga 17-19 Jan and at Auckland Recruitment Day on Jan 22 hiring the following – must be 19+ – whose keen?

1) Basketball coach (preferably female but will consider a male).
2) 4-5 Tennis staff (male and female)
3) 5-6 Sailing staff (male and female)
4) 7-8 Waterski staff (male and female)
5) 2-3 Arts & Crafts Teachers (female) – must be actual arts and crafts teachers
6) 1-2 Dance instructors (female)
7) 1 Pilates and/or Yoga instructor (female)
8) 2-3 Photography specialists (male and female)
9) 1 video specialist (preferably female)
10) 1-2 archery specialists (male)
11) 4-5 Gymnastics Specialists (female)
12) 1 Lacrosse instructor (male)
13) 1 Soccer Instructor (female)
14) 6-7 Swim Instructors/Lifeguards (male and female) – must have BOTH certifications with minimum 2 years experience
15) 10-11 Trip Leaders (male and female) – ropes/abseiling, trip leading, canoeing and RIFLERY skills needed in the mix)
16) Jewish General Counselors (female only)

Camp Modin – check it out.

Face painting for campers

Camps..

the big bounce

Most people ask us what camp is like.

 

Well – it usually has a lake. The privately owned camps (including Jewish and Christian camps) can be quite flash, while the agency camps and scout camps are more traditional rustic camps.

What we do know is – every likes THEIR camp best. No matter what type.

So keep your options open – don’t rule any type of camp out – this will increase your placement chances because it shows flexibility and open mindedness.

Alot of people also say they don’t want to go to a camp with a Christian emphasis. I would also ask you re-think this too.. camps that have a Christian emphasis are not going to hire someone that does not believe in God to lead Bible Study class – are they…  nope – you’ll be chosen to teach what it is that you DO know something about…. and the kids will be from Christian families…. it won’t effect you – you won’t be converted by the end of camp…..

 

It may mean that you’ll need to go to the weekly service – often more about positive thinking and values than full on worship…and yes, you may be expected to join in the song singing – why? Because you’re there for the kids, they may be shy about singing but if they see you do it they will more likely join in – you’re their role model at camp you see….

Not really so bad hey!

 

Of course if you can lead bible study – GREAT!! Camps will hire you for that or for another one of your top skills…

By the way – I hope you are all busy selling yourselves on your application – there is no room for Kiwi Modesty for Camp America applications.

 

Vicki

Camps are coming

yes that’s right!

American Summer Camps are coming to Auckland (and a couple of other quick stops) to hire staff for summer 2011.

Get a job on the day…

Here’s the link for more info and which camps..

Recruitment Days

A tour of camp - ILC

Hayo-Went-Ha

Dave from Hayo-Went-Ha camp is in Tauranga Jan 14 and in Auckland Jan 12 to hire kiwi’s.

Can you teaching sailing, lead hiking trips, lead canoeing trips on a lake, lead a mountain bike group?

If so – we want you to meet this camp. You must have passed your local Camp America Interview though so get online and start finishing your application.

YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha for Boys – YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps

www.hayowentha.org

Located on 600 acres on the shores of beautiful Torch Lake, YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha has 105 years of tradition and experience to provide incredible adventures campers remember for a lifetime.