Camp IHC Reviews

Looked after around 8 children on my own, 14 hours per day and then shared the same bunk. The staff member who was supposed to share this with me was never around. I was on duty all day and night apart from a 30min break. On the break I walked to the lockers to call home, although had to do this in the common room with others there. I was told off for even standing outside of the building to make the call. So no privacy if you need it. I became unhappy and felt isolated so as they kept saying to, I spoke to staff for guidance and support. This was not received. I was met with rolling eyes and tutting. One staff member laughed at me and said she was not available to talk. I found the whole situation very bizarre. The staff present as lovely and wonderful on the outside but there's no depth to this. It's plastic. These are not good people. One weird thing is one of the managers is Scottish, with a scottish accent in private, but will always speak in an American accent to you. I asked to leave the camp. They gave me 30min to leave. I had no where to go, and no where to stay that night. We were 3 hours from New York. As an international staff member I had to scramble to try and find a roof over my head for that night. I was dropped in the nearest town. As a 23 year old English girl who had no idea where they were and with no instruction, this was daunting. Once I was dropped in that small town they had washed their hands of me and never contacted me since, they just drove off. Thankfully I eventually found my way to New York, not that they knew that!

Pay is low, but average among summer camps. Communication can be poor at times, and there is definitely preferential treatment amongst the head staff. This is a people serving people industry; therefore just as the community is positive and strong, there are individuals and practices that are not conducive to compassion and respect throughout the camp.