Camp Fever not Camp Fear

Camp Fever not Camp Fear

Camp America’s New Zealand recruitment manager says people have not been deterred from attending camp in America despite difficulties in recent years with obtaining visas and the possibility of terrorist threats. Vicki Kenny says they expect to send more people to camp this year than in previous years, many of whom will secure a job on the spot at a recruitment fair in Auckland this Saturday.

“We have good relationships with the embassies and government departments in America, making the visa process a lot smoother. And counsellors who have come back can’t understand when people ask them about the fear of terrorism – it just isn’t an issue for them – they’re all having too much fun,” says Ms Kenny.

James Brownlee, who hosted high school quiz show The Machine in 2002 and worked on What Now for 7 years, was a Camp America counsellor in 2002 and 2003. He says he felt safe on both trips and enjoyed the camp experience too much to let anything put him off going back a second time.

“I can definitely recommend becoming a counsellor – who wouldn’t want to revert back to their reckless childhood while missing out on another New Zealand winter at the same time?”

Ms Kenny says going to camp is even more popular at the moment after the recent screenings of Rialto film Camp and a television documentary about life at camp.

“We’re offering two free flights to America to give people the chance to go to camp that otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it - not because we’re short of people wanting to become counsellors!“

Camp America, the longest-running and largest camp counsellor programme, has been sending New Zealanders to camp for over twenty years.

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