Had a terrible experience with Americamp. After researching all of the big summer camp agencies in February I decided that Americamp seemed like the organisation for me. I signed up on 7 February after checking their website for age limits as I would be 37 at the time of travel and I knew BUNAC had an age limit. Nowhere did it say there was an age limit on the website or on their T+Cs. Spent an entire afternoon uploading documents and filling in information to continue with my application.

Paid my deposit, and by this point Americamp would have been well aware of my age. I was assigned an Application Coordinator and tried to book my phonecall with her online. It didn't work, so I dropped an email and arranged it over email with her explaining that she had manually booked the appointment for me.

The appointment day and time came and went (10 Feb at 10.30am) and nothing. I left it until around 10.45am as I understand they're busy before emailing. I got an email back at around 12.10 asking if she could call me now and an apology as the appointment hadn't been in her diary (given that she'd told me she'd manually booked it obviously she had forgotten). I replied straight away saying please do. I waited around for almost another half an hour before receiving the phonecall.

After the phonecall being an hour late and making me late for uni it was a complete waste of time. I was told that I would be too old to be approved the visa, and that although they could continue my application it was very unlikely I would be approved (which is a complete joke seeing as I have since been placed with another agency at my chosen camp and received my visa just fine). I was assured that this had also been checked with a manager.

I think that Americamp were either too busy or just couldn't be bothered to deal with me for whatever reason. As mentioned previously I have since been placed at my chosen camp through another agency and had no problems with my visa application at all. I have also spoken to many other people in forums around the same age and older and they have all advised that the visa has no age limit.

My understanding that Americamp could not be bothered to deal with me was solidified when I emailed back my coordinator asking if the age limit would also apply for their Americamp Canada programme as I was still keen to travel with them at the time. I wasn't even given the courtesy of a reply. Terrible terrible service and I certainly would not recommend to any of my uni friends or anyone else for that matter.

The fact that my new agency managed to place me at my first choice camp and my visa was approved without issue shows my age was not the problem. If Americamp don't wish to deal with over 30s I have no issue with that, but state it on your website and don't waste people's time just because you can't be bothered to deal with them. A real shame as they seemed like a great company prior to my experience.