Program Overview
Would you like to experience being a camp counselor in an “American Style” summer camp in Europe? The Camp California program is a unique way for you to experience being a “Camp Counselor” as well as the opportunity to live and travel in Europe over the summer. Camp California is located on the spectacular coast of the Adriatic Sea in Croatia. Children come from all over the world and are between 7–17 years of age. The majority of children are from Europe and English is their second language.
Camp California is a safe environment for children where they will make friends, learn new skills and gain a better appreciation for diversity. It is the first real “American style” summer camp in Europe. Experiencing Camp California in Croatia will give you the opportunity to experience many new cultures, and make friends from around the world.
Camp California is looking for individuals with previous experience in working and living with children on a 24 hour basis. Counselors also need to be able to teach one or more of the many activities offered at Camp California each summer.
Campers and staff come and go from over 20 countries around the world. Children ages 7–14 can participate in Camp California's on-site Resident Camp for 1 or 2 week sessions. Counselors at Resident camp must be over 20 years of age to be a counselor. Teens aged 14–17 can participate in Camp California's Teen Program, a tripping and adventure program or Teen Sailing program, which is a combination of small and large boat sailing experience. Counselors interested in working on Teen Adventure or Teen Sailing must be 25 year of age or older and confident in driving a nine passenger manual transmission van.
Our one week training starts on Friday the 17th June and finishes on Saturday the 25th June (the day before our first campers arrive). Our first session is a one week Resident Camp Program and a great introduction to Camp California for first time campers, younger campers and new staff. The following 8 weeks of camp are all two week sessions. Staff contracts are available from June 17 – July 30 or June 17 – August 27th, depending on the needs of the camp.
The majority of our counselors have experience working at camps in the US or are qualified teachers, coaches our youth workers . Not all and it is not required! We are looking for a variety of roles to fill at Camp California. Most are Counselors/Activity instructors at our Resident Camp. In Resident Camp our Jr. Program has 8 campers in each bungalow, all the same age/grade between 6 and 12 years of age, with one counselor in each bungalow. Our Sr. Program in Resident Camp, 13+ years of age, offers campers accommodation in smaller more private bungalows. Our camper to counselor ratio is 1 – 9 in Sr. Camp. In addition to “cabin responsibility” each Counselors teaches between 4 and 5 hours a day in the activities they are most qualified or experienced in. Following is a list of activities we offer and are looking for staff to fill as instructors. You must have personal or teaching experience in three or more of the following:
American Football Archery Arts and Crafts
Baseball Basketball Rock-climbing/High Ropes
Cricket Dance Digital Photo
Drama Fencing Fishing
Gymnastics Kayaking Mountain Biking
Music Table Tennis Poi Dance
Tennis Video Production Rugby
Sailing Self Defense Snorkeling
Soccer Swim Lessons Woodworking
Volleyball Water Park Windsurfing
If you decide to apply you will need to be able to teach, or assist in teaching one or more of the above activities. For most you do not have to have a certificate or qualification but if you do……… It can’t hurt!
Counselor Pocket Money/Travel Reimbursement starts at €100 per week plus room and board for first time counselors at Resident Camp depending on your age, education and qualifications.
As a participant on the CCUSA Program you are also provided with work/travel insurance for your time at camp through CCUSA. For an additional fee you can request additional travel insurance for your pre and post camp travels. All International Counselors must participate on the CCUSA work and travel program to be a counselor at Camp California. There is a program fee of £180 made payable to CCUSA (via cheque please) which covers your application processing, interviewing, insurance and pick up to camp from Split, Zadar or Zagreb.
Our Staff, from most countries including the UK and Ireland, do not need a visa to be at Camp California for the summer. Arriving under a tourist visa is sufficient since you are officially a volunteer during your stay in Croatia and participating on a “Cultural Exchange” Program. However participants with South African, Russian or the Ukrainian passports will need visas or travel vouchers to enter Croatia.
Counselors and Support staff have 24 hours off each with additional regularly scheduled hours off each day. However if you have been to a camp before then you know how demanding the responsibilities can be.
Camp California is in Pakostane, about 30 minutes from Zadar in Dalmatia and about two hours from Split. We are on the Adriatic sea so you can imagine the weather is fantastic and the water is warm.
Attached is the application form for Camp California. If you would like to apply please complete the entire application along with one passport photo and autobiographical essay. We will also need three Reference Questionnaires completed by previous employers, teachers or your previous summer camp director who have known you for more than 6 months. If you have worked at a camp or school before we will need to receive a favorable reference for you to be considered for a position with Camp California.
Once your application is completed you can scan, e-mail to Duncanj@ccusa.co.uk or post the application directly to our office in London. Once we will review your application we will contact you via e-mail to arrange for an interview. It will be necessary for you to have a Skype account to participate in a video call from the camp director. Once you’ve been interviewed you’ll be notified within 24 hours of your interview if you will be offered a position at Camp California this summer. Any applicant that is offered a position at Camp California will need to participate in one of the preferred cultural exchange programs that Camp California works with. All designated cultural exchange programs must provide you with travel insurance, support while in Croatia and a pre departure orientation packet. The £180 program fee will ONLY need to be paid to CCUSA prior to Camp California signing a contract with you.
As of today we still have many positions available but do not wait. Starting late February the positions fill quickly. Each year we regrettably turn many excellent applicants away because they applied too late ..... so DON'T delay and send your application in TODAY!