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Where Day Camp Staff Members Live
Each year an increasing number of ICCP participants are assigned to work at
day camps. Day camp placements are highly sought by applicants because the international camp worker has greater opportunities for time off and social connections to the community in
which the camp is located. If you are assigned to a day camp, you will probably live with a host family. Living with a host family requires that you practice some special “people skills”
to make sure that your stay is an enjoyable experience for all involved. They include:
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The host family has volunteered to house you. It may even be providing many of your meals. In exchange it expects to
have the opportunity to get to know you and to share some of your time. Find out when you are expected to share activities with the family. Remember, it has not offered
to provide a hotel room, but to provide a home stay experience. That means you may be expected to become part of the home. |
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Your host family takes its way of life for granted as being “normal.” However, it may be very different from what you
have experienced in your own life. Be an observer and a learner and try to fit in as much as you feel comfortable. Be open about what makes you uncomfortable.
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One of the most challenging areas of hosting a guest in one’s home is mealtime. Tell your host family if there are foods
you cannot eat. However, be willing to try new foods, or familiar foods prepared in new ways.
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Do not assume that kitchen equipment, bathroom plumbing, and other household tools work the same way as in your
country. Even if you think you already know, ask to be shown how things work. Often things may look the same, but function differently.
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It can be very disturbing to have people coming in and out of a home at all hours of the night. Talk to your host family
about what time they would prefer that you be home at night.
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Smoking can be a major issue in the United States. As Americans become more educated about the health risks to people
who are in the same room as a smoker, the public opinion against smoking has become almost militant. You indicated on your application whether you are a smoker.
Your host family was chosen with your answer in mind. If you were not a smoker when you filled out your application, but now smoke, you may have difficulty with
your host family or your camp. Other smoking-related difficulties include:
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Your host family may not allow smoking in its home or yard.
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A host family may have a member who smokes. If you don’t you may be bothered by smoke.
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If either of the above two situations arise, try to respect the
attitude of the host family, and talk to them about a solution
which will be comfortable for all involved.
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Another often unexpected source of discomfort for international staff members living with a host family is a thick American
mattress on a bed. If you are from a country where sleeping on a harder surface is the norm, you may find your bed in the United States a bit of a difficult
adjustment. You may find that moving the mattress onto the floor helps, but be sure to remember that your host family takes the American bed for granted and
may need you to explain the problem.
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In living with a host family, it is not those things which are obvious cultural differences which cause difficulties, but those
which you assume to be the same as what you experience at home that will cause trouble. Living with a host family can be an exciting opportunity to learn new ways
of understanding the world. Be observant; be open to new experiences; and be tactful in the way you talk about what you find different and what you find the
same. Be especially careful of criticism. It is usually acceptable for two people of the same nationality to criticize their country, but often offensive to
hear someone from another culture offer the same criticism.
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You may be expected to participate in household duties just like any other member of the family. This may require that you help
out with duties that you would not do at home. Remember, the concepts of what is “women’s work” and what is “men’s work” change from culture to culture and family
to family. Do not hesitate to ask the family how you can help, and how to perform that activity if you do not already know. There are some basic chores that
you should take responsibility for doing:
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You should be expected to make your bed, clean your room, wash your clothes, etc.
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You should be treated as a family member, but not have the complete run of the house. It is important to respect the privacy of
the family. Household duties can best be assumed if you take the time to ask the family to demonstrate exactly what is to be done. For example, ask how to use the
shower, mops, washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, etc.
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You may want to bring a gift from your country for your host family. Local handicrafts are usually appropriate. Alcohol can be
offensive to some families. Try to find out if any special family events will occur during your stay: birthdays, wed-dings, etc., and be prepared to give a greeting
card, or even a small gift.
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Your host family has given up part of its privacy, time, and
home to provide a place for you to stay. Without their effort, you would not have this camp placement. The best way for you to ensure that your summer experience is
the best it can be is to be sure that the host family also has a good experience.
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