Parents Page!

Hallo Parents!

We know what it's like...in between the end of 'Neighbours' and the start of 'The 6 O'Clock News', your son or daughter vaguely mentioned something about spending next summer working in the US with Camp America...and right now that sounds like a crazy idea. You have questions..."Just who are this 'Camp America' and how does my son/daughter know that they're not some fly-by-night company who will take the money and run?" "How do I know that my child will be looked after while they're away? I mean they may be a bit messy sometimes, but that doesn't mean they're not loved..." that kind of thing.

Well fear not ...here's a summing up of the programme, costs and insurance details that should hopefully address your concerns, and allow you to give your son or daughter your blessing to spend the summer away (and more importantly allow you to start planning what you're going to do with all that free time!).

The Camp America Programme

Camp America was established in 1969 and is part of a larger group called the American Institute for Foreign Study founded and owned by Sir Cyril Taylor GBE. Camp America has offices in Australia, Germany, Poland and South Africa with head offices in London, UK and Stamord, US.

Camp America is a cultural exchange programme that each year provides over 7,000 young people from all over the world with the opportunity to work a 9 week placement on a summer camp in the US.

We currently work with over 900 summer camps all over the US - there are various camp types including Private, agency, disadvantaged, special needs, girl scout and day camps.

Taking part in Camp America has many benefits. It can help improve the confidence, responsibility and communication skills of young people as well as encourage and develop their independence and life experience. Travel helps broaden horizons and introduce a better understanding of other cultures.

The Interview

Applying to Camp America will involve completing stage one of the on-line application form, paying a first deposit fee and attending an interview with a trained member Camp America interviewer. Generally our interviewer's are young people who have participated on the programme for 2 or more years, and their responsibility is to assess that anyone applying to Camp America possesses the skills, experience, maturity and ability to participate. Interviewers generally conduct interviews in their own time with the majority of interviews taking place either in the interviewer's home or local to the interviewer's area.

Application & Paperwork

Applicants are required to complete a 2 stage on-line application which should be submitted with 2 references (which should adhere to our reference requirements) and either a CRB(S) form (for applicants from England & Wales or Scotland) or a Police Check (for all other applicants). Once placed applicants will be required to complete a visa application with their local US Embassy (in some cases this may be on-line) and arrange for a Camp America Medical form to be completed by their Doctor. Applicants will receive information regarding their application and placement via our 'Camp America Direct' web system.
Please note unless otherwise stated, acceptance onto the programme in no way guarantees a placement.

Visa Application

As a legal visa sponsor, Camp America will provide the necessary DS2019 form which is required to apply for a J-1 visa to placed applicants. Additional forms will be supplied by the local US Embassy. (please note this is often online).
The applicant will be required to attend in person an interview at their local US Embassy (in the UK, this embassy is in London), it should be noted that this will generally take a few hours to attend and costs of travel to and from the embassy is the responsibility of the applicant.

Medical Insurance

As a legal visa sponsor, Camp America provides fully-comprehensive medical insurance which will cover the participant for claims up to
$500,000 for the entire time they are in the US with the Camp America programme. It should be noted that the insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. Provision of medical insurance is required as a visa sponsor and therefore is mandatory for participants to take the Camp America medical insurance. Baggage insurance is provided for a fee, but is optional. Please click here for further information on our medical insurance.

Camp America Fees & refunds

For the breakdown of our current fees, please click here. Please also note that Camp America does not cover certain charges and travel costs that participants may incur.
All payments are non-refundable if the cancellation is made by the applicant however if cancellation is a result of a bona fide medical reason, that is backed-up with an official confirmation all payments will be refunded. Additionally if a placement is not found a full refund will be issued.
Camp America charges a fee both to the applicant and to the camp. Fees are charged to cover the costs of running a fully-supportive programme which includes flights to and from New York, the provision of medical insurance, staffing, provision of orientations and the work incurred in searching for and securing a placement on summer camp.

Placements & Camps

Participants are expected to complete a placement that will last a minimum of 9 weeks (10 weeks for day camps and 12 weeks for resorts). Whilst on a camp, participants are answerable to the Camp Director. It should be noted that camps in the US often have very strict rules and regulations regarding areas such as curfews, alcohol, smoking and behaviour towards campers and staff. Participants should expect to be asked to leave camp if they break camp rules. Being fired is not a pleasant experience and to minimise the disruption on camp it should be understood that following a firing participants may be asked to leave camp immediately. Camp America will then work with the participant regarding the situation.

Travel to & from the US

Once a placement is confirmed, Camp America arranges a flight to the US and provides instructions for onward travel to camp which may be via plane, train or bus. It should be understood that, where group travel is not possible, participants may be required to travel alone. Fees paid out in overland travel to camp will be reimbursed by the camp. At the end of their placement, participants are required to make their own way back to New York for their flight home. Camp America offers flights from other specified airports in the US for a small fee.

Terms & Conditions

Before applying, applicants are asked to read and confirm they have understood all the Camp America Terms & Conditions. For a full copy of these terms and conditions please click here.