Scatico Goes Global: Reflections from International Staff
Audrey and Moe manning the booth at the Camp America Hiring Fair in London.
If you’ve been to a college fair, or a job fair, or even a science fair…you have a general understanding of the Camp America London Hiring Fair. Except, imagine all of those, but with the energy and enthusiasm of camp people. There are t-shirt sling shots, welcome songs, and spontaneous bursts of applause – the first of which occurred at 10:04 when the first candidate was hired (doors opened at 10).
The Camp America fair is just one of dozens of hiring fairs that take place each year for the summer camp industry. Fairs take place in cities around the world, and are hosted by different J-1 Visa sponsor agencies (Camp America is just one), but these fairs share one thing… they bring ready-for-a-new-experience young people to work at summer camps in the U.S.
My first interview question is always: “Why do you want to work at an American summer camp?” Most struggle to pin down the exact words – how could you when you’ve never been – but the essence is always the experience. Though basic, I understand the broad answer. I have spent every summer of my life at camp, and am often at a loss for words in how to describe “the experience.”
Scatico fits differently into each of our lives and means different things to different members of our community. No two experiences are alike. But I feel confident that whether you spend one summer at camp or twenty - Scatico changes you in some way. I have a particular appreciation and admiration for staff that put their name into an international agency portal, take a leap of faith, and travel thousands of miles from their home, for that chance to experience their own camp magic.
So, we reached out to just a few of our returning international staff members to share a piece of their Scatico story and experience.
George leading the Senior Boys in sing in 2024. He came back to be their DL for their Upper Senior summer in 2025.
George Richardson
Home Town: Sheffield, England
Summers at Scatico: 2022-2026
Why did you want to work at an American sleepaway camp?
After COVID I wanted to have a summer that I would remember. I had been looking at American sleepaway camps since I was 18 and after two summers inside, I decided to take the plunge and do it. It seemed as the perfect way for me to start a gap year and make new friends!
Why did you choose Scatico?
When I applied, I was provided with a list of different camps and I could select a top three. When I first looked at Scatico, I knew it was the camp that I wanted to work at. The values, history and general vibe on the website appealed to me. However, it was how down-to-earth and refreshingly traditional that Scatico felt that really resonated with me. There was a sense of joy and community that made Scatico stand out in a really special way.
What about Scatico surprised you the most?
I think it was how welcoming Scatico was that surprised me the most. As I got closer to summer, I begun to hear lots of stories from people who had been to other camps, and not felt welcomed or enjoyed it. However, I knew as soon as the plane touched down that this was not Scatico. Nicki was waiting at JFK with a handmade sign and instantly I felt at ease, it was in the days when we still had to COVID test and being taken to a conference room with the other internationals was actually a really nice way to begin the journey. It was from here that the lifelong connections I have made at camp started and as camp became filled more with counsellors and campers, Scatico truly did feel like it was home away from home. Within a week I knew that I wanted to be back for a second summer!
How have you changed because of your experience at camp?
My intentions were to spend one summer at camp, now I am on summer number 5! When I left university I had applied to join the police, but I had to wait a year to start. It was during my second summer in which I realised that I wanted to work with and support young people. I took another year out in which I worked with young people who were struggling at school before coming back to camp again! Now, I am a qualified teacher and if I hadn’t spent a summer at camp then I don't think I would be the person that I am today!
Sophie at Catamount overcoming her fear of heights alongside her campers!
Sophie Leonard
Hometown: Grangemouth, Scotland
Summers at Scatico: 2015-2026
Why did you want to work at an American sleepaway camp?
I love working with kids but wanted to experience working in America and learning new skills that could follow me for life and learn what it’s like to spend an entire summer caring for a group of young people. Also time in the outdoors definitely was also a driving factor, especially to escape the Scottish weather!
Why did you choose Scatico?
I chose Scatico because of the overall camp ethos of time to be a kid. I feel like that is so important in a world where children are surrounded by the constant societal pressures of being on social media and having access to the whole world at their fingertips. I thought it was fabulous that kids just get to be kids at Scatico and try all these fun activities without any distractions and bond with their friends in real time. I also selfishly loved not having to be constantly online and getting to fully immerse myself in camp life. It ended up being so healthy for me.
What about Scatico surprised you the most?
The thing that surprised me about Scatico was the rich history and traditions that are still upheld today. I loved seeing how many kids had family members who our now alumni and pointed them out on the wall in the staff lounge and also got the chance to read the colour war booklets that had been kept from as early as the 50’s. It was pretty awesome to chat to some of the staff who had worked at Scatico and went to Scatico for years and hear their lovely memories from years gone by.
How have you changed because of your experience at camp?
Camp changed me for the better. I learned to appreciate being in the moment and treating every day as a new beginning. I also learned new things about other cultures due to the international staff (and campers!) that I met. Camp also pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and also get over a pretty big fear of heights (on our big trip to Katamount!) and I actually was able to try flying in my cheer team back home because I was no longer deeply afraid of heights. I also learned so many things from my campers and picked up some new craft skills from Laura! Camp is a place where you can learn new things without the pressure of failing, even as a staff member.
Josh as a Color War general in 2024.
Josh Thomson
Hometown: Ballymena, Northern Ireland… but currently living in the Dominican Republic!
Summers at Scatico: 2022 - 2024 + 2026
Why did you want to work at an American sleepaway camp?
During university/college, my friend had been at a summer camp in the US and when he came back, I admit, I was getting a little annoyed when he would bring up stories about his new friends he made all over the world and all the places he went to and all the fun he had. It irked me to the point where I thought I would have my own camp experience so I could bombard him with my own stories and shenanigans. I also needed a summer job, and I had previously travelled in Europe, so the USA looked like a new frontier for me.
Why did you choose Scatico?
I chose Scatico, honestly, because Scatico was the first camp to contact me! I liked that it was near New York, a city I’ve always wanted to visit, and the camp itself sounded like it was from a classic 90’s summer movie (particularly Parent Trap). I was sold on all the activities Scatico offers, the camp culture and camaraderie, and its long history made me excited for the potential to be part of something great.
What about Scatico surprised you the most?
What surprised me the most when camp was in full swing was how busy I would be, but in the best way. I was never bored at camp because it just wasn’t an option. Between working my program, lifeguarding and camp events, who would hang out with campers, fellow staff, going out in the evenings (Or practice in the staff rock band) and day trips, I never felt stuck on what to do next or who to talk to. Camp has given me this energy of positive momentum and for me it is very addictive.
How have you changed because of your experience at camp?
One thing that has changed about me is my ability to adapt and adopt new things. During camp I was taking on responsibilities that I had never thought I could do previously, the confidence that gave me helped me take on challenges and work at home which I would have not considered at home. Scatico helped me realise that you can truly have a home away from home, you just need to buy into the experience.
My love of travel has not changed however because as I am writing this I am in the Dominican Republic!