Let me introduce myself

Hi I'm Carrie Fleming one of the 2 Camp Experts for the UK & Ireland as well as covering Africa and the Far East/Australsia. I'm a dual citizen of the US and the UK

My first bunk

I attended my mother's camp (Manito-wish) in Northern Wisconsin from 12-15 flying in on my own from London  pre mobile phones and the internet.  Luckily my mother's oldest friend lived near camp so she met me at Rhinelander airport as this was before airport pickup and I was the only international camper there. Am not sure I would have been brave enough to send my daughters that way now!

From camper to camp expert

I have a background in international marketing & new product development having run global brands working both in NYC and London. I set up the European division of an American market research company and ran my own product development training consultancy before "retiring" when we adopted our youngest. Being a dual citizen raised in both countries (but attending Brown for undergrad and Wharton for my MBA) and raising 2 girls here in the UK, I've a unique grasp of both what expatriates want from camp to keep that link with home as well as what locals need in terms of both camp at younger ages as well as prepping for UK or US university entrance. My daughters (now 24 and 18) have attended different camps both here in the UK and stateside, language programmes in Europe, teen adventure trips, career experiences in London and pre college programmes in Europe.

Ultimate camp highlight

Watching shooting stars over a still Wisconsin lake from a canoe

Why I love this job

I genuinely love working with families to help find the right programme for their child. While I loved my mum's camp, it probably wasn't the best fit for me so I know that trying to match children with the right environment is key. I am also passionate about parents knowing about the realities of the different educational systems in the UK versus the USA and that pre college preparation needs to be done quite differently depending on where you are aiming to go. As an adoptive parent of a child of a different race I'm also well attuned to these issues and the importance of finding the right fit.

Why I feel camp is a valuable experience

Camp (and by this I mean either traditional American camp or even a pre-college programme) is a unique chance for a child to grow, experience new things and develop resilience.  It builds huge self confidence. For those having friendship difficulties in school it can teach them they can find their people and that the issue lies not within them but rather with the school friends. Residential camp has never been part of UK culture and I'm a huge proponent of all children going away on their own without friends before they leave home for university as it will make the university transition so much easier.