Pros
You’ll meet like-minded young people who want to travel the United States after this experience has dragged by.
The place is genuinely stunning, and if you can keep your head down and take the constant disrespect then the outcome can be making great memories.
Cons
Where to start?
Management Issues
The directors seemed largely unapproachable. I found it difficult to have any direct conversations with them, as they rarely engaged with staff personally. I also experienced behavior from some management figures that felt hostile and inappropriate. For example, I was reprimanded and scolded for eating or drinking outside of designated times, even when I had been outside all day performing physically demanding tasks. Despite the full cafeteria being available, staff were often restricted from refueling, which seemed unreasonable.
Staff were expected to be on call 24 hours a day, and even on our rare days off, it felt like we were required to adhere to strict guidelines or risk termination. Firings were frequent and, in my opinion, often unfair. Of the large group of staff who began the summer, many did not make it until the end.
Additionally, I observed a significant decrease in the diversity of staff members as the summer progressed, which I found concerning. Staff assigned to less desirable roles, such as kitchen duties, appeared to include a disproportionate number of Latinos. The members of this group who did get to lead their chosen activities were also asked to spend extra time at the camp gardening, despite having no experience with it. I was never presented with this opportunity, as their selection for this role seemed racially motivated.
When staff were terminated, there was no opportunity to say goodbyes. They were quickly removed from the premises and received no assistance with onward arrangements, other than a bus to the closest small town.
Camper Behavior
The campers were a mixed group. Some were a genuine pleasure to work with, and I still think fondly of the connections I made. However, I encountered behavior from others that was extremely challenging. For example, older campers sometimes engaged in deliberately disrespectful acts, such as vandalizing spaces with their excrement, and staff were expected to clean up after them.
I was also aware of legal threats made by some campers or their families, which created a stressful environment for staff. In one incident I heard about, a lifeguard faced legal consequences after a camper was injured on equipment provided by the camp.
Unequal Opportunities
While the camp advertised exciting day trips, not all staff were given the opportunity to participate. A select group seemed to receive the majority of these experiences, while others, including myself, were left behind and overworked.
Pay and Conditions
The pay was far below my expectations. After deductions, I earned roughly €1000 by the end of the summer, which felt inadequate for the amount of effort and energy required.
Final Thoughts
While I did find moments of joy and connection, the overall experience was overshadowed by poor management, inequitable treatment, and a toxic environment. I would encourage anyone considering Camp Starlight to research carefully and explore other camps that may provide a more supportive and enjoyable experience.