I worked successfully for Starcamp in the summer of 2018 when I was 16 years old, getting paid €4 an hour - yes you heard that right. I was a stupid kid and enjoyed the work so I went along with it. I'm 99.9% certain this was illegal and is likely why they've stopped hiring "junior assistant" staff. I did the exact same work as the 20-something-year-old official employees, but despite the child labour exploitation it was an enjoyable experience.
In 2023 as a college student I decided to do it again as surely I'd be paid well this time. I passed interviews, signed a contract, and went up to Dublin at personal expense to do a full training workshop day where I met the CEO, was given my uniform and a whole folder of material to learn before camps started. I learnt off songs, dances, familiarised myself with games and scripts, and had my finances arranged around earning a decent amount of money during the holidays.
Then I never heard from them again.
I was never sent any details about what schools I was rostered in, where to go, who to talk to. I was brushed off or outright ignored over multiple emails for multiple weeks, until I finally got through to someone on the phone the THURSDAY before camps were due to start that MONDAY - and was told they had "overbooked staff" and I "wouldn't be needed this summer".
This is absolutely insane.
My follow up emails complaining that my financial plans were ruined, that I had no way of finding an alternative job four days in advance, that this was disgraceful way to treat CONTRACTED employees - all completely ignored. I've never been offered any proper explanation let alone an apology.
Do not attempt to work for this company if you actually need money, or if you want any communication or respectful treatment.
