How much money do I need at summer camp
Since some of you have been to camp already - can you give me an idea of how much money I'll need for during camp and after camp - I want to travel around and see some if America... ??
When I was interviewering, I had this question asked heaps, so many times, I lost count! I recommended that an applicant bring with them around US$800. This should be more then enough intill you get your first pay from your camp half way through the season. When you get your flights booked, you can also book add on packages like Hawaii, Disneyland, hotels, rental cars, Amtrak train passes etc. All the extras will be included on top of your flights etc, so all you have to worry about is spending money for those packages while in the USA. Petrol prices get very high in the US summer, especially in California, so best to budget extra for petrol if you get a rental car.
I'm aiming to have around US$1000 saved.
Do you really need this much? What do you spend money on at camp? I thought everything was taken care of and food was included.
Well, yes and no. We had to pay for our laundry and whatever else we wanted; people were always taking trips into NYC, or Boston, Washington etc. People would often go out at night and go to the movies or out shopping on the weekend or what not.
Because there are lots of kinds of camp you may have none of these expenses, you might be in the middle of nowhere!
Another example some day camps the kids aren't there on the weekend, hence, you might not get fed! Some camps require staff to get our own food for the weekend (this is rare though).
It all depends on what you want to do. Prices are cheaper on face value of what you see here (we we'd go to the grocery store and pay what seemed like pittance for heaps!) but remember, exchange rates do vary and all the prices in the US do not automatically include sales tax (unlike here, where GST is included!) so it may, nor may not, be a lot different.
I think $1000 US + pay is sufficient if you don't want to blow it all in Vegas or travel in any great opulence.
A wise word of caution; don't be cheap, it can ruin the fun. Yes you can be conservative, but I cannot stress enough to do as much as possible no matter the cost:D
Around £500-£1000 is enough depending on what you plan to do. Always good to have more than less. Also download a banking app like Monzo so you don't get charged exchange fees.
Hey - The first year I went to camp I took $1000, and that, plus my pay, got me around to disneyworld, NY, DC, TX, Iowa ...it was definitely enough. It all depends what you want to do, and where you want to go. If you want to drive, petrol prices are huge - so if you want to go the cheap way go for the bus or train!
I recommended you bring around US$800. This should be more then enough until you get your first pay from your camp half way throu the season. When you get your flights booked, you can also book add on packages like Hawaii, Disneyland, hotels, rental cars, Amtrak train passes etc. All the extras will be included on top of your flights etc, so all you have to worry about is spending money for those packages while in the USA. Petrol prices get very high in the US summer, especially in California, so best to budget extra for petrol if you get a rental car.
Don't stress you don't need that much and remember you will get paid when there. Save a bit for travel after camp though.