Camp America

[si-skyline]

Hi everyone just thought I would make a topic about this, its something I'm really interested in and was wanting to talk to other members over in America about what is good about where you live or where you would recommend someone to go on a trip. I am just in the application stage and have arranged a deposit

Also guys who have been to this can you say what it was like for you? what to look out for and if you had fun?
This is just a general discussion really about America, I just want to get a feel of peoples stories :)

[Vertigo]

That really depends on what you're looking for, and your budget. For example the East Coast has a lot of historical work to see: Boston for example is filled with it. Also, there is the food question. Do you want deep dish pizza in Chicago from Unos, or do you want the classic New York style? Are you wanting sun and beautiful people? California or Florida are a good choice. If you're more of an outdoorsman, there's Colorado for white water rafting, Yellowstone National Park, etc. If it were me, and I had only one place I could go? It would honestly be Boston though, there's really so much to see and do there. And there's the added bonus of being so close to Jersey and NYC, hell even Phillie is a day trip away from Boston. All of those places = possibilities galore.

[nevermind1534]

Portillo's has good hotdogs; I usually go there when I'm in Chicago. Niagra Falls is nice, but it's the best from the Canadian Side. Michigan is nice. Up north , there's the Sioux Locks. Tahquamenon Falls is nice. If you're in Detroit, you have to go to the Fox Theater. Disney world is in Orlando; it's pretty sweet.

[si-skyline]

hehe well they do say America is the place of opportunity. I will be working for a while on a program for camp America then i can extend my permit longer if i wish to stay and do my own thing like travel and see things. I know that camp America give me a grant of 1000 dollers when i arrive there. it is there to cover my accommodation and food on my stay. the time i get to my self will be about a month so I'm expecting to see a bit and get up to allot in that time.

personally beaches don't interest me much and am looking into things like extreme sports and water activities so will be looking into more place you were talking about

[nevermind1534]

There's also the Sears Tower in Chicago, the tallest building in North America, and they are working on the Chicago Spire, which will be the tallest freestanding structure in North America.

[DaveW]

Also guys who have been to this can you say what it was like for you? what to look out for and if you had fun? This is just a general discussion really about America, I just want to get a feel of peoples stories

I was working in a Camp for Special Needs kids in PA last summer. It was the best decision I've ever made in my life. I had a great time during camp, and I loved working with the kids. Don't avoid working with disabled kids, there's nothing to be scared off. After Camp, with the help of Jon, I got a car and travelled 6000 miles over the USA with 4 Russians. To say it was the best time of my life would be an understatement.

I can give you only one piece of advice, and that is to follow your heart. If it takes you to America, then pluck up the stones and go. If you fancy travelling afterwards, then go for it 100%. You won't regret a thing. :)

Good luck mate.

-Dave

[si-skyline]

hay, thanks for some great places guys :)

i was having the same idea as you dave, getting a car or a van and go traveling with some people around America or get on some other program like unlimited train tickets or scheduled tour. i think doing it with other peoples and by my self would be better then a company help me. yeah i would love to try lots of different food there too, i know the portions are not the same in the UK :P

nah i don't have a problem with disabled kids, my younger brother is disabled and have been on a few trips with him to different outdoor camps where the majority of people there have some sort of disability.

what did you end up doing while you were at the camp? who did you end up going with

[danthegeek]

There is a ton to do. I would always suggest the east coast if you are into history. Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Boston, etc are all within a day from each other. Heck, if your in the Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania area and need a place to crash you can stay at my place. I know where the best cheese steaks are and no, its not in Philadelphia :).

[Omega]

Nothing beats sitting in a lawn chair around a bonfire at Ocean Beach in San Fransisco at 10pm (or later), just talking, drinking apple cider/coffee and enjoying a good cigar.

Nothing.

[blueonblack]

I'm in southwestern Missouri here, and there are some excellent hiking trails and canoeing to be had in the Buffalo National Wilderness area in northwestern Arkansas, especially in the spring when the Buffalo River is high. My last float trip was 2 leisurely days long and I didn't see a single human being the entire time. (Go during the week.)

If you end up coming through the center of the country let me know and we'll get together.

[si-skyline]

good stuff :) i would love to come out and see you guys and how you do things that would be hardcore.

the cheese steaks sound mad. but i love going to a place for a good old steak now. so that sounds interesting

the canoeing sounds cool too, id find it weird not seeing another soul for 2 days. id get the feeling it was a horror movie gone wrong and im the star actor :)

[DaveW]

I went with CCUSA, they take about £100 less of your money. However, if you quit camp and try to come home, they will treat you like crap.

Watch out for American bacon. You never thought you'd miss our bacon, but wait till you see what they have to put up with.

-Dave

[si-skyline]

I love our bacon :/

[nevermind1534]

I love our bacon :/

That's more like regular ham. I like the American bacon in the microwave better than fried. It's completely different.

[DaveW]

Our bacon is not like ham...it's just all meat. Granted it has a ham like shape but the taste is very different. It's simply a different cut, just one that has more meat and far less fat.

See the picture below; number 1 is the bacon we have in Britain, although that particular cut isn't the most appetising. Numbers 3 and 4 are the kinds of bacon you're most likely to find in America; if I had to put my money on it I'd say 3 is the kind I was served (consistently) as it's considerably smaller than UK bacon. Cuts 2, 6 and 5 are unknown to me. To be honest, they don't really appeal to me either.

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2008/07/31/Untitled-2__1217536332_7093.jpg

-Dave

[nevermind1534]

If it looks like it, I'd say it's the closest of the two.

[crenn]

We in Australia get a combination of 1 and 4.

As for 3, that's a middle rasher I believe.

[Omega]

American Bacon is amazing, so shush you =p

[blueonblack]

Although I've never had bacon from another country, I do know that bacon is good. Very, very good. In lots of different ways. I knew a bartender once who made bacon vodka.

If bacon is better in the UK than it is here, I may expatriate.

[DaveW]

American Bacon is amazing, so shush you =p

Correction: Bacon is Good. American Bacon is good. British Bacon is better. ;)


Although I've never had bacon from another country, I do know that bacon is good. Very, very good. In lots of different ways. I knew a bartender once who made bacon vodka.

If bacon is better in the UK than it is here, I may expatriate.

I don't really understand how it can be better here, after all it comes from the same animal. It's simply a matter that in the US, the cuts that are most common are smaller and have a higher percentage of fat. In the UK, it's a larger cut with less fat (that you can peel off if you just want the meat). Theoretically, you should be able to find British cuts of bacon in the US-ask at your butcher, give it a try, and let me know what you think. It's great on a white bread roll with an egg and butter. Some people like Ketchup.

By the way, we can get American bacon here-it's commonly called 'streaky bacon' and we use it for cooking purposes, such as wrapping little sausages.

-Dave

[nevermind1534]

By the way, we can get American bacon here-it's commonly called 'streaky bacon' and we use it for cooking purposes, such as wrapping little sausages.

They do that here, too. I prefer it microwaved over fried, as it is less greasy. I just think it tastes better that way. It can be more crispy that way, too

[DaveW]

They do that here, too. What I meant was, most people only use it for this purpose, and would baulk at the idea of actually eating it as bacon.

Microwaved bacon sounds awful to me. That being said, I'm from the country that invented the deep-fried Mars bar. Americans; we have a different Mars Bar to you. How to explain this...

American Mars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Bar) = British Milky Way (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milky_Way_(confectionery))
American Milky Way (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milky_Way_(confectionery)) = British Mars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Bar)

Also, Americans drive on the other side of the road! ;)

-Dave

[simon275]

In Australia we have Mars Bar and Milky Way Bars

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milky_Way_bar

We have mars and the non us milky way. As there are 2 types of milky way bar.

[TheGreatSatan]

I totally recommend visiting the St Louis area and meeting TheGreatSatan :up:

[nevermind1534]

What I meant was, most people only use it for this purpose, and would baulk at the idea of actually eating it as bacon.

Yeah, that's probably why you guys have different stuff

Microwaved bacon sounds awful to me. That being said, I'm from the country that invented the deep-fried Mars bar. Americans; we have a different Mars Bar to you. How to explain this...

The only difference, really is that it is cripsier (if you want it to be; I don't like it too crispy) and not covered in grease or as much fat. Put it on top of some paper towel in a tray that can hold some drippings. I like ham in the microwave too. It's almost like fried ham that way (not cooked the same as the bacon; in this case, it's just on a regular plate).

[Omega]

Also, Americans drive on the other side of the road! ;)

-Dave


Yeah, we drive on the right (both as in starboard and proper) side of the road.

But our drivers seats are on the wrong side.

:think:

[nevermind1534]

Yeah, we drive on the right (both as in starboard and proper) side of the road.

But our drivers seats are on the wrong side.

:think:

you either have to drive on the wrong side or sit on the wrong side.