UPDATED Camp America Packing Hints & Tips | Kirstie Bryce

[@mayabixby3993]

By just the intro you can tell that she would be an awesome counselor.

[@KirstieBryce]

Thanks so much! It was a great thing to experience for 2 years.

[@paigemaddison5888]

Bless you for being the first person I’ve found that has discussed which sort of bag to take because I have been trying to go back and forth on if I should get a rucksack or suitcase! Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@KirstieBryce]

I'm so glad you found this helpful!

[@dandwhit]

I can't go until 2020 but I'm so hyped I'm watching this (and literally every camp america video on youtube) now lol

[@itszohal4904]

dandwhit lol literally same! I’m watching camp videos since three years or something and luckily I’m able to go to camp 2019 finallyy

[@KirstieBryce]

I love how you guys are finding people who are interested in the same things and chatting! 😁

[@dandwhit]

_ifyouknow_youknow Oh that’s really cool, glad to see someone else doing it then. Only like 9 months till applications open LOL I think I’m going to go with Americamp or Camp America I don’t really know yet

[@FrogMstr]

@@dandwhit Folks, why not organise it yourself? Learn good travel skills and earn more money!

[@ann8299]

Me too!!!!

[@louisesavage4396]

Nice to see a Scottish KZbinr for once!! What state did you go to? I'm going to Massachusetts and am worried it's gonna be quite chilly

[@KirstieBryce]

Yeah I'm sometimes hard to find as a Scottish KZbinr because my content isn't all Scottish based and there aren't Scotland flags everywhere 😂 I was in Upstate NY, on Lake George near Ticonderoga. Have a chat with others going to your camp and others who live there and they'll be able to give you the heads up about what to expect weather wise.

[@sammy-zi2gz]

did you happen to go camp emerson?

[@ExcaliburofficialYT]

@@sammy-zi2gz Where's camp Emerson? (Emerson is my first name)

[@sammy-zi2gz]

@@ExcaliburofficialYT hinsdsle, massachusetts

[@shannontozer9993]

im heading off for my first summer at camp in 42 days, im a lifeguard/ general counselor and im so HYPED. i watched your camp videos(among others as well) over a year ago and decided i definitely had to do it so thanks for inspiring me to go for it!

[@KirstieBryce]

That's so exciting!! Not long to go for you now :) You're so welcome, enjoy! Also, I've got another camp video coming out later next week so maybe that can help too before you leave.

[@shannontozer9993]

Kirstie Bryce sweet! Cant waitttttt x

[@chrisroe7049]

Super handy now that I’m starting to get everything organised for this summer, I’ll share this with the group of first timers I know going to my camp and others too. Also I’m going to be a storyteller this summer so it’s super exciting!! Only 51 days to go!

[@KirstieBryce]

I'm so glad! Aw thank you. That's awesome! Oh that'll fly by haha!

[@nicolamcfadden3512]

Love all your videos Kirstie. They have been such a big help for me planing my trip to America to do camp thank you x

[@KirstieBryce]

Thanks so much! I'm so happy you like them. I hope you enjoy your trip x

[@sophieroche]

Hey! I’m applying to go to camp next year, I’m more of a suitcase person because I’ve been to boarding school with one. How large is your suitcase? (Just for comparison) xx

[@ellakang5122]

I’m going to be a camp counselor for the first time this summer and this was so helpful, so thank you!!! Will you be going back to camp this summer again??

[@KirstieBryce]

That's awesome! Congrats and enjoy!! Nah I'm not. I came back last year and went straight into a full time job and it's just not realistic or sensible, especially with an industry where you need to build a reliable reputation, to be like "bye I'm off for 2-4 months" every 9-10 months. I feel like I've gotten all I could have from the experience over the years though. It's time to move forward.

[@KalaEl]

I'm going on a Camp this summer (NH) and I really wanted to go just with a 30l carry-on backpack. Now I wonder about taking this backpack and a carry-on suitcase (I am going to take some clothes that I'll threw away after work) - it means that I'll be carrying the backpack (it's light) inside the suitcase during my trip after work. I'm still not sure if I'll need that much clothes ect. and if it's good idea at all. I'm really into flying with carry-on only... What do you think about it?

[@KirstieBryce]

It really does depend on your job what you will need and also with your camp washing facilities etc. The first year I was teaching performing arts so needed more clothes as I was wearing things all day every day. My second I was a swim coach and lifeguard, so I spent most of my day in swimwear, meaning I needed less clothes. There really is no right or wrong way to go about luggage, it's all personal preference.

[@AllySheehan]

Your accent is so cute!

[@austinarchabal4711]

Omg I love your videos ally Sheehan. You guys should do a collaboration.

[@eimearmcginlay2269]

Thanks so much this was so helpful! Leaving for Texas in 4 weeks! ❤️❤️

[@KirstieBryce]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! How exciting, enjoy!!

[@jaymee-i1z]

i have a question, Kristie. what makes a fun camp counselor (CIT)

[@RobertJones-hp1bk]

Thanks very much Kirstie!! Really helpful video!! 😊 😊

[@daniellelinehan1096]

Im going to camp this summer. Watching your videos has helped alot. I was just wondering what was it like going through us customs and the process was like 😊

[@KirstieBryce]

That's great! I'm so glad they have helped :) The two years I flew out I went about it differently. The first year I went through the whole process at Newark Airport and that was no problem, a bit of a wait but that is to be expected. Also because I was on a Camp America flight there were loads of people with the same visa paperwork etc so they knew what was what. The second year I switched at Dublin and went through the process there. There was quite a wait at that side and it got to the point where they started organising the line of people waiting in order of when their flights were leaving. We got there in the end though :)

[@happy.anyway]

How did it go? Did you like the camp?

[@lovedayayto7652]

hey just wondering how big your suitcase was as I need to go and buy one before i go but have no clue what size i should be getting x

[@erenn.6653]

Hi, im wondering are counsellors and campowers hang out together in their free time? What is relation between them?

[@hollyedlington2205]

Hi kirstie i love all your CA videos watched them all and have recommended for others wishing to go to camp. As a first timer I was just wondering if you chose the first camp offer you got or not? Or did you wait? The reason I ask is I'm going through the application now for 2019 summer and I've just got to do the application video and then I'm off for my interview. Anyway thanks for all the help so far!

[@delainegneco7352]

I´m not Kristie, but I think that if your first offer is good and you think you will be a great addition to that camp, you should totally accept it. Always make sure that the decision that you take is something that you really like.

[@katiehodge233]

Loved this! very useful and in depth - thanks! :)

[@KirstieBryce]

I'm so glad! I get so many questions about packing for camp so I wanted to go as in depth as possible :) You're very welcome!

[@katiehodge233]

one more thing - when you say no electricity do you mean nothing at all?! like no way to even charge your phone to keep in contact with family? thanks again :)

[@KirstieBryce]

Not in the cabins we lived in no. There was access to a few computers and electricity and a TV that you had access to on your two nights off each week and on your whole 36 hours off you got each week too :) Our camp had a no phones policy around the kids and the kids also weren't allowed to have phones. It was really nice to see the kids being fully present and away from technology. Also, as much as this sounds strange. After the first 2 weeks I felt no real urge to be in touch with my family, obviously I contacted them like twice a week to update them on how I was getting on but I didn't feel any anxiety about getting in touch with them x

[@tonymaries1652]

The KZbin search engine has been insisting for weeks that I watch this and always puts it near the top when I press the red button on my browser. I have no idea why it does, I never did anything like Camp America or Duke of Edinburgh, and I never will now. I do do Camp Scotland. This of course is not an organisation but is just a mere mythical concept nevertheless thousands and thousands of folks like me genuinely go on it every year. Some KZbinrs who put out walking videos pad out their content with packing videos but I can't say I have ever watched any of them. When I go away whether it is to Scotland or go away just for work, I spread my things out on my bed before packing so I know exactly what I have forgotten. A lot of my workmates are ex-Services and liked the story about this bit because that is exactly what they had to do for inspection by the sergeant. Then it all goes in my green bag. I think it is empty now but from the day I walked out on my wife to the pandemic, nearly six years, I never completely unpacked it. I said it was empty but it has so many zipper pockets and general nooks and crannies that I couldn't absolutely guarantee that there is not a hanky hiding somewhere. More complete nonsense after your next video!

[@abbyh5623]

How much money did you take with you? Great video

[@KirstieBryce]

I'm pretty sure I took $800 on a Caxton card and had my credit card from home for emergencies (of which thankfully there was none), but mostly I used the money I was paid with and brought just under $1000 home with me 😁

[@erica3438]

I'm going to camp this summer so this video was very helpful. Still think I'm gonna forget something though. 😂❤

[@KirstieBryce]

You'll be alright! Don't worry about it :) Enjoy your summer!!

[@samwebster1236]

Hey Kirstie. Video was great. Just a quick question, did you use a fairfx MasterCard, or did you just use your debit card from Britain?

[@KirstieBryce]

Hey! Thanks so much 😁 I answered your question fully in my most recent video: 'Responding To Your Comments' kzbin.info/www/bejne/in21aoB7iKZ-m9U Hope that helps!

[@bellacruz9204]

I loveee Your videos❤️ keep up the great work!🖤

[@xdarcyt6650]

This just backs me up on us scots are the best people

[@Poppy-is7gk]

Do u plan your traveling before camp or during?

[@KirstieBryce]

Both years I planned mine during with people I met there, but you can do either. If it helps, I've got a Camp America playlist with my videos from a few years ago that might help: bit.ly/2T3nzue 🇺🇸 There's a whole video for travel tips and a frequently asked questions video as well, enjoy, hope these help ☺️

[@TeganMacMoss]

Hi, what make is ur rucksacks ( big travel bag) as I am lookin to one for this year as I think it will be easier to travel with. Ps I love this video

[@KirstieBryce]

Hey! 2:01 It's a Lowe Alpine backpack. I got it form Cotswold Outdoor 😁 Thank you I'm glad!

[@mollyandpopsadventures]

Are we allowed to go to Hawaii then? I was told because it was an Island our visa doesn’t let us go that far? Very useful video really helped!

[@KirstieBryce]

I flew from Seattle to Honolulu in 2016 and had no problems whatsoever. It's still a US state so I'm not sure what the problem could be with going there. Always check with CA staff though because regulations and politics of it all may well have changed over the past two years. I'm glad you found it helpful! Hopefully it can be a good guideline.

[@mollyandpopsadventures]

Kirstie Bryce thank you! This is great

[@louisemorrison4085]

where in scotland are you from!! i’m from edinburgh, i can’t wait to be a councillor in a year or two!!

[@KirstieBryce]

I'm from Lanarkshire! Aw so chuffed for you, any questions feel free to give me a shout ☺️

[@Debbersisnotnormal]

I don't suppose you have a link to where you bought the extension plug adapter do you? :)

[@robertcampbell2456]

Yass Scottish Lass!!!

[@elliewynhoven8586]

Thanks for this video Kirstie!! I'm an Aussie heading to camp in America in June! This video is so helpful xx

[@femkeborneman6697]

Wait, wasn’t an open air cabin really cold?

[@KirstieBryce]

Nope not at all, the weather is pretty much always hot in Upstate NY around that time of year, and even when it's slightly cooler you have your comforter and blankets so you're absolutely fine. I slept on top of my blankets etc most of the time haha!

[@coreyeskins4701]

So helpful! I leave for camp in 6 weeks 🎉🇺🇸

[@KirstieBryce]

I'm so glad! YAY!!!

[@green4lynn]

You didn’t mention torches or head lamps etc? X

[@KirstieBryce]

The first year at camp I took a head lamp with me but it very quickly broke 😂 From then on and for most of my second year as well I used my phone because it was brighter. Good thing too, my friend didn't have hers one night and she stepped on a porcupine 😂😂 But if you want to take a head lamp because you will need your hands free of course you can add that to the list. x

[@green4lynn]

Thank you :). We aren’t allowed to keep our phones on our person in the cabins, we have to keep them in the staff room. Plus there’s not electricity in the cabins to you deffo need torches in ours 😂 x

[@KirstieBryce]

We were the same! I love how present that makes everyone. x

[@caitlinoneill1675]

Her accent thooooo 😂❤️

[@KirstieBryce]

😂✌🏼

[@callum2.021]

Can smokers go to camp

[@KirstieBryce]

Of course they can 😁 There are rules of course. At my camp if you smoked it wasn't allowed on camp grounds and you weren't allowed to keep cigarettes in the cabins where they may be found by children. You had to keep them in a locker in the staff room if you did smoke. You were only allowed to smoke off camp on your time off. Obviously that'll change from camp to camp, but that's what I know from mine. I don't smoke so I never had to worry about that, but those were the rules.

[@curtainsneezesnowbal1611]

What part of Scotland are you from

[@KirstieBryce]

Glasgow & the West: South Lanarkshire

[@edenhillier4914]

i just made a camp counselor packing video for next summer, check it out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXXCga1pedSHhbc

[@LoveThyNeighbor316]

omygerd, you got all of that in one suitcase?

[@KirstieBryce]

Of course. It's really not that much, my bag both years was well under the 23kg weight limit haha! Especially since most of the clothes are thin and light. Packing is an art ha!

[@ellynmackay6831]

I love ur top xxx

[@KirstieBryce]

Thank you ☺️ Pretty sure that was from either Matalan or Peacocks.

[@shronky9043]

I love your accent

[@lauski317]

how old are you?

[@KirstieBryce]

I'm 23 at the moment, but when I made this video I was 22 😁😁

[@igorn.dikulemhorsll4452]

waikiki ! hey°'),

[@KirstieBryce]

Aloha!

[@lisamatheson8115]

are you Irish? i love your accent

[@Mikey5781]

Lisa Matheson think she’s from lothian

[@molliefitzpatrick8157]

Scottish*

[@laylalemdersi5467]

her eyebrows😬

[@KirstieBryce]

Are strong independent caterpillars who don't need no ish 🐛✌🏼 P.S. This is quite an old video, I'd definitely recommend checking out some of my more recent stuff. Enjoy!