You’ve decided to work at summer camp. Now, who should you go with?

So, you’ve made the big decision: you want to spend your summer working at camp in America.

Excellent choice.

Now comes another decision, which organisation do you actually go with?

There are a few summer camp providers out there, and at first glance, they can look pretty similar. They’ll help you apply, find a camp and get to the USA.

But there are some pretty big differences when you look a little closer.

Price matters, of course. But so does what’s included, the camps you’ll have access to, who’s handling your visa, what happens if something goes wrong and - most importantly - your chances of finding a camp that actually feels right for you.

Here’s what to look for when comparing your options.
 

1. Experience matters

Camp America has been sending people to summer camps in the USA since 1969.

That’s over 55 years of experience, but it also means something much more useful to you: decades of relationships with camps, knowledge of the programme and teams who have dealt with pretty much every camp scenario imaginable.

We know camp.

And many of the camps we work with know us pretty well too.
 

2. More camps = more opportunities

Not every summer camp is the same.

There are huge camps and tiny camps. Traditional camps, specialist camps and camps focused on particular communities. Camps surrounded by mountains, camps by lakes and camps close to cities.

And the role that suits one person might be completely wrong for someone else.

Camp America works with a huge network of camps across the USA, giving you access to loads of different camp types, roles and locations.

Because the aim isn't simply to get you placed.

It's to get you placed at the right camp.
 

3. Camp directors know Camp America

Our relationships with US camps haven't appeared overnight.

Many camp directors have recruited through Camp America year after year, and some of those relationships go back decades.

That established network matters when camps are looking for their next team. They know our programme, they know our process and they know the Camp America name.

And speaking of our name...
 

4. There's a reason everyone calls it “Camp America”

You know when someone says they're “doing Camp America” even though they're technically travelling with someone else?

Yeah. We notice too. 👀

Camp America has become one of the most recognised names in the summer camp industry, with generations of alumni having done the programme.

But for us, that history isn't about relying on our name. It's about continuing to deliver the experience that built it in the first place.
 

5. We're an official J-1 Visa Sponsor

It’s not the most exciting part of planning your summer, but it’s an important one.

Camp America isn't simply a recruitment or placement organisation. We're an official J-1 Visa Sponsor in our own right.

Some providers work with a separate third-party sponsor to manage this part of the process. With Camp America, your placement and J-1 sponsorship sit within the same organisation.

So the people helping you get to camp aren't just familiar with the visa process - it's a core part of what we do.
 

6. You can choose our flight package

Flights can make a big difference to the overall cost of your summer.

With Camp America, you can choose our flight package, meaning less to pay upfront and no need to find and book your own transatlantic flight separately.

With flight prices rising, it also gives you more certainty over the overall cost of getting to camp.

And because we know your travel plans, if there’s a delay, cancellation or disruption, we’re already one step ahead and can help with connections and getting you where you need to be.

Less upfront. Less organising. More support.
 

7. You're covered beyond camp

Your Camp America programme doesn't necessarily finish the second your camp contract does - and neither does our Group International Accident & Sickness Cover.

Eligible participants have cover throughout their programme dates, including their post-camp travel period, subject to the terms and conditions of the cover.

Crucially, we are one of the only agencies that also covers pre-existing conditions (up to $5,000), giving you total peace of mind before, during, and after camp.

That's an important detail to check when you're comparing providers, particularly if you're already dreaming about where you'll travel after camp.

Because yes, we're thinking about that bit too.
 

8. We're there when things don't go to plan

Hopefully your summer goes exactly as planned.

But support matters most when it doesn't.

Camp America has teams in both the UK and USA, supporting participants before, during and after camp.

Travel disruption? An emergency? Something isn't working out at camp? Need help with a rematch?

We've got experienced people on both sides of the Atlantic who can help.

And that applies even if you found your camp yourself and joined Camp America for sponsorship. We don't disappear once you're placed.
 

9. We're charity owned

Here's one you probably didn't know.

Camp America is part of AIFS, which is actually owned by a charity - the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation.

That means your fees don't just pay for an epic summer; they literally go right back into funding youth and educational causes around the world.

In 2025 alone, we gave nearly $3 million to global non-profits.

When you choose Camp America, you're giving back twice: first by changing lives at camp, and again through the global causes your summer helps support. Pretty cool thing to be part of, right?
 

10. Ultimately, it's about the right camp

This is probably the biggest one for us.

Getting placed isn't the goal. Getting placed at the right camp is.

The camp itself will shape so much of your summer: the people you meet, the job you do, your day-to-day life and the memories you come home with.

That's why we don't think choosing your summer camp organisation should simply come down to who can place you fastest or whose headline fee looks cheapest.

Look at the camps. Look at what's included. Look at the visa sponsorship. Look at your flights. Look at the support you'll receive if something goes wrong.

And then ask yourself:

Who do I trust with my summer?
 

Ready to find your camp?

If you've already decided camp is for you, you're basically at the good bit.

Start your Camp America application and let's find the camp that's right for you.